Today it was announced the Florida Panthers have completed a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Anytime you can acquire a goaltender, with plenty of upside, it is a very rewarding move. Goalie and restricted free agent Daniil Tarasov is headed to South Florida. In exchange, the Blue Jackets receive a fifth-round pick, otherwise known as the 160th overall selection in this year’s NHL Entry Draft.
Cup champion Florida Panthers have acquired goalie Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) June 26, 2025
Goalkeeper Daniil Tarasov Traded to Panthers
The 26-year-old goaltender has played parts of five seasons now split between the Columbus Blue Jackets and the AHL’s Cleveland Monsters. He’s up to 99 professional regular season games combined in the two leagues. Before coming to North America for the 2020-21 campaign, he had played professionally, applying his craft in both Russia and Finland.
In 2024-25, Tarasov established himself as a regular option for head coach Dean Evason and staff. Daniil Tarasov managed 20 games, despite some varying levels of success in that time, in this most recent campaign before the trade. Moreover, he has a 3.54 goals-against average and an .881 save percentage. However, what he did bring to the Blue Jackets, was a backup option to starter Elvis Merzlikins. Merzlikins held the command post for most of the season, playing 53 games. But when called upon, Tarasov did a great job of providing regular backup role duties to the starter’s play.
The other goalie supporting things in Columbus, was youngster Jet Greaves. Of course, when it comes to netminding, having additional assets is rarely, if ever, a bad thing. So, for Columbus they still have some organizational depth between the pipes.
What’s the Plan in Florida
Meanwhile, in Florida, only Sergei Bobrovsky is under an NHL contract. Last year’s backup, Vitek Vanecek is an unrestricted free agent. It is unclear whether the Panthers are planning on re-signing Vanecek or not. However, bringing in Daniil Tarasov via trade is allowing them to build their goaltending stockpile for the future. With an aging Bobrovsky, it is something they need to do. This move achieves that goal.
We've acquired goaltender Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for our fifth-round selection (160th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft.
📝 » https://t.co/mY77K319d1 pic.twitter.com/RJEs3NLxTi
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) June 26, 2025
Main Photo Credit: Marc DesRosiers – Imagn Images
