The reigning back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers have quickly addressed their need for a backup goaltender.
On Thursday, the Panthers announced they have acquired goaltender Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the upcoming draft.
Tarasov, who is set to become a restricted free agent on July 1, is expected to serve as the backup to starting goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. This past season with the Blue Jackets, Tarasov started 19 games, recording a 7-10-2 record.
Over his four-year NHL career since being drafted 86th overall by Columbus in 2017, the 26-year-old has started 65 games, accumulating 19 wins and posting a 3.44 goals-against average.
The 36-year-old Bobrovsky is entering the final year of his seven-year, $70 million contract.
Columbus general manager Don Waddell commented, “On behalf of the Blue Jackets, I’d like to thank Daniil for his contributions to our organization over the past four years. He is an outstanding young man, and we wish he and his family well in the future.”
With Vitek Vanecek expected to depart as an unrestricted free agent, the Panthers needed to fill the backup goalie position. Their focus now shifts to potentially re-signing key players such as playoff MVP Sam Bennett, trade-deadline acquisition Brad Marchand, and veteran defenceman Aaron Ekblad.
Trade Details
To Florida Panthers
- Daniil Tarasov
To Columbus Blue Jackets
- Fifth-round pick (2025)
