from Jeremy P. Rutherford of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch,

In his third NHL season, the Russian right winger has become the Blues’ go-to player. His 24 goals, which rank fifth in the league, include four game-winners and five that were either scored in overtime or the last 10 minutes of the third period when the difference in the score was one goal or less.

The Blues have not seen the likes of Tarasenko since Brett Hull roamed the rink in St. Louis. Tarasenko is on pace for 42 goals, a far cry from Hull’s career-high 86, but gone are those high-scoring days in the NHL and plus, he’s just getting started.

“He is unselfish, has a very high hockey IQ and has a cannon for a shot,” Hull said. “He’s going to be a star because of his skills.”

In 46 games this season, Tarasenko has already set personal bests in goals and points (47), the type of production that will see him, at just 23 years old, play in his first All-Star Game Sunday at Nationwide Arena.

Surveying everyone from fellow NHL stars to league scouts, Tarasenko’s trajectory is one that many believe will continue trending upward.

read on