Blues sign Vladimir Tarasenko to 8-year, $60-million deal

Burn the bridges.

Offensive dynamo Vladimir Tarasenko has signed an eight-year, $60-million contract extension with the St. Louis Blues.

Perhaps the most-dominant attacking force in the Western Conference last season, Tarasenko scored 37 goals - many of which were utterly breathtaking - and finished with 73 points - 10th-most in the league.

His 25 even-strength tallies were second only to New York Rangers forward Rick Nash, and he led all West skaters with a 66.3 Goals For percentage in the final season of his entry-level deal.

For his two-way exploits, Tarasenko avoids having to sign a bridge deal, instead signing a maximum-length agreement to become the highest-paid player on the roster at a tenable $7.5 million per season.

He was an NHL All-Star, and also became the youngest Blue in franchise history to eclipse the 30-goal plateau last season.