Vadim Zherenko Signs with the St. Louis Blues and NHL Outlook
Vadim Zherenko, a Russian goalkeeper, has joined the National Hockey League club St. Louis Blues on a three year rookie contract. The announcement came from North American team officials and marks a significant step for the young netminder as he transitions to the top level of professional hockey.
Selected by the Blues in the seventh round of the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, the 21 year old goalie was taken with the 208th overall pick. The selection reflected the team’s long term plans for depth at the crease as Zherenko continues his development and aims to carve out a role in the league.
During the previous season Zherenko spent time in Finland with Ilves, where he appeared in thirty games and posted a solid reliability rating. His performance there has been cited as a positive indicator of his readiness to compete at higher levels and push for more opportunities in North America.
Hockey veterans and coaches have noted the importance of a strong pathway for developing goalies, including those who rise through junior and international leagues before reaching the NHL. Andrei Nikolishin, a respected figure in the sport with a world championship background, has observed the evolving routes players take to reach the highest level and the impact of smart development decisions on a team’s postseason ambitions. The Thunder of top teams and their staff is always looking for players who can eventually contribute to deep playoff runs.
In the broader NHL playoff landscape, several second round matchups have already been set. The New York Rangers secured a dramatic 4-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins in a decisive Game 7. The Carolina Hurricanes are positioned to advance past the Boston Bruins in their Eastern Conference semifinal series, while the Calgary Flames stunned the Dallas Stars in a hard fought overtime finish to force a second round clash with the Edmonton Oilers. The Tampa Bay Lightning are set to meet the Florida Panthers in a fierce series, following the Lightning’s upset win over the Toronto Maple Leafs and Florida’s victory against the Washington Capitals. Another notable second round pairing features the Colorado Avalanche against the St. Louis Blues, a confrontation built on a strong first round performance where Colorado defeated the Nashville Predators and St. Louis overcame the Minnesota Wild. These outcomes have set the stage for a compelling stretch drive in the league as teams chase the sport’s ultimate prize, the Stanley Cup. It is a reminder that the path to the trophy is shaped by elite goaltending, timely offense, and disciplined defense across a demanding playoff format.