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Why are the Stanley Cup Champions still making moves? Panthers land Blue Jackets' Daniil Tarasov
Why Florida Traded for Russian Goalie Daniil Tarasov Post-Stanley Cup (Imagn Images)
Fresh off their second straight Stanley Cup victory, the Florida Panthers aren't taking a breather. While the champagne is still flowing in South Florida, the franchise has quietly added another piece to their roster puzzle.
On Thursday, the Panthers officially announced the acquisition of Russian goaltender Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets, parting with a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft in return.
Daniil Tarasov to Florida: What the Panthers' latest trade says about their 2025 ambitions
Though the spotlight remains on their dominant title run over the Edmonton Oilers, this trade hints at the organization's forward-thinking approach—especially regarding goaltending depth. With veteran Sergei Bobrovsky still commanding the crease, Tarasov could serve as a promising understudy or even see regular ice time if plans shift over the offseason.
Tarasov, 26, hails from Novokuznetsk, Russia, and has spent the past four seasons with Columbus after being drafted in the third round (86th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft. While his NHL numbers so far reflect growing pains—posting a 19-34-6 record with a 3.44 GAA and a .898 save percentage—he showed flashes of brilliance, including a 26-save shutout against the New York Rangers on January 18, 2025.
Still, his ice time in Columbus diminished late in the season as the Blue Jackets shifted their focus to rising goaltender Jet Greaves, effectively pushing Tarasov down the depth chart.
That move made him expendable, and the Panthers saw an opportunity.
'On behalf of the Blue Jackets, I'd like to thank Daniil for his contributions to our organization over the past four years,' Blue Jackets general manager Don Waddell said. 'He is an outstanding young man, and we wish he and his family well in the future.'
Now, Tarasov finds himself at a crucial point in his career. Set to become a restricted free agent on July 1, the Panthers must decide whether to offer him a new deal.
If re-signed, he could compete for the backup role behind Bobrovsky or gain more seasoning with the Charlotte Checkers in the AHL.
That decision may also hinge on Vitek Vanecek's future. Acquired from the San Jose Sharks, Vanecek is poised to hit unrestricted free agency. If Florida opts to retain him on a short-term deal, Tarasov's NHL role may have to wait.
Still, this low-risk trade adds a young, skilled goaltender to a franchise that clearly isn't content with just celebrating. Tarasov brings international experience, raw potential, and the hunger to prove himself—and in a championship-winning environment like Florida, the timing couldn't be better.
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