Vladimir Tarasenko News: Tarasenko, selected by the Blues in the first round of the 2010 draft, was scheduled to arrive in St. Louis on Friday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Tarasenko, selected by the Blues in the first round of the 2010 draft, was scheduled to arrive in St. Louis on Friday, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch reports.

Analysis: The news that Tarasenko will be in St. Louis ends a few weeks of speculation as to whether the Russian forward would come to North America. Between the pending lockout threat, and the difficulty some NHL franchises have had in luring Russian players to the States, the Blues are keenly anticipating Tarasenko. His arrival in North America signals his commitment to make the transition to the NHL.