Tarasenko (shoulder) had four shots on goal, a minus-2 rating and one hit in 16:25 of Saturday's 4-3 overtime loss to the Kings.

EDGE Analysis

Tarasenko was listed on the Blues' top line, but he kept his shifts short in his season debut. The Russian winger may still need some time to get back into form, but he'll likely get a chance to figure things out in the top six. The 29-year-old was probably stashed on injured reserve in most fantasy formats, but it won't hurt to see if he's still hanging around on your waiver wire. Tarasenko would have 70-point potential in a full season -- over the remainder of 2020-21, that amounts to roughly 25 points if he gets up to speed quickly.

Tarasenko (shoulder) has been activated from long-term injured reserve and is expected to play in Saturday's game versus the Kings, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

If he's available in your fantasy league, he needs to be picked up immediately. Tarasenko scored at least 33 goals in five straight seasons before suffering a shoulder injury in October of 2019, and he aggravated the injury in the playoff bubble last August. After his third surgery in 28 months, Tarasenko has gained clearance to return to action. It remains unclear exactly where the 29-year-old sniper will slot into the lineup, but it'll likely be in the top six in addition to one of the power plays units.

According to coach Craig Berube, there's a good chance Tarasenko (shoulder) will make his season debut during the Blues' upcoming six-game road trip, Stephen Whyno of the Associated Press reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tarasenko practiced fully Friday, skating on a line with Brayden Schenn and David Perron, so although he isn't expected to play Saturday against San Jose, he's clearly on the verge of making his season debut. If the Russian sniper is available on waivers, fantasy managers would be wise to snatch him up as soon as possible. The 29-year-old winger racked up three goals and 10 points in 10 games last campaign before suffering a season-ending shoulder injury that required surgery.

Tarasenko (shoulder) is on the ice with his teammates for Thursday's optional skate, Lou Korac of NHL.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tarasenko resumed skating on his own in late January and has taken the next step in his recovery by joining his teammates for Thursday's morning skate. The Blues still haven't established a definitive timeline for his return, but it looks like Tarasenko could be ready to make his season debut sooner rather than later.

Tarasenko (shoulder) shared on social media that he skated Saturday, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

It's unclear what capacity Tarasenko skated in or if he skated with the team, but it's certainly an encouraging development that he's back on the ice at all. The 29-year-old sniper underwent his third shoulder surgery in a 28-month span back in August. He's expected to be re-evaluated at some point in February, but there's still no definitive timeline for his return.

The Blues placed Tarasenko (shoulder) on long-term injured reserve Wednesday.

EDGE Analysis

Tarasenko isn't going to be re-evaluated until mid-February, so his placement on long-term injured reserve won't prevent a potential return for the 29-year-old sniper. If and when he's able to return, Tarasenko figures to bounce either David Perron of Mike Hoffman from the Blues' top six. If he's ready to go in February, Tarasenko will be worth a late-round pick in most formats, but at this point there's no guaranteeing the oft-injured Russian will be available for a significant portion of the 2020-21 campaign.

Tarasenko (shoulder) won't be ready to start the season and will be re-evaluated in February, Jeremy Rutherford of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

Tarasenko underwent his third surgery in 28 months back in August. While the Blues will be cautious with his return to the lineup, they're optimistic that he'll be ready to go at some point in February. Tarasenko is difficult to replace, having posted at least 33 goals in five straight seasons before playing just 10 games last year. The Blues nevertheless hope to fill the void by signing sniper Mike Hoffman.

According to general manager Doug Armstrong, Tarasenko's shoulder surgery went well and he's already on the road to recovery.

EDGE Analysis

Tarasenko's most recent procedure was the third he's undergone on the same shoulder in the past three years, so it's safe to assume the Blues will be especially cautious with his recovery this time around. The 28-year-old winger won't be reevaluated until late-January, so he'll almost certainly miss the start of the 2020-21 campaign, which will have to factor into how fantasy players value him heading into next year's drafts. Still, he's just one season removed from a 33-goal, 68-point showing, so he could be worth the risk for virtual managers willing to plop him into their IR slots for the first chunk of the campaign.

Tarasenko will undergo a third surgery on his shoulder and will be re-evaluated in five months.

EDGE Analysis

Based on the Blues' timeline, Tarasenko won't even be reassessed until late-January, which means he likely won't be close to returning until at least February. While the 2020-21 season is set for a delayed start, the Russian winger will almost certainly miss a significant chunk of time. The 27-year-old winger was limited to a mere 10 regular-season contests due to his shoulder problem, though he registered a point per game in those outings. After logging four playoff appearances, he once again found himself on the shelf. Once the new league year begins, Tarasenko is a lock to start the campaign on long-term injured reserve in order to give the Blues some cap space.

Tarasenko will return to St. Louis to meet with team doctors regarding his surgically-repaired shoulder.

EDGE Analysis

Tarasenko has missed the Blues' last two games with an undisclosed issue, but it's now clear that his absence was related to his surgically-repaired shoulder. Perhaps the 28-year-old winger returned too soon after undergoing shoulder surgery in late October, particularly because it was his second shoulder procedure in just three years. Tarasenko simply hasn't looked like himself during these playoffs, and he'll now miss the remainder of St. Louis' first-round series with Vancouver at a minimum, as he'll have to self-quarantine for at least four days if and when he's able to re-enter the bubble. Tyler Bozak and Oskar Sundqvist will continue to see additional ice time with Tarasenko no longer in the picture.