Florida Panthers Acquire Russian Goalie Tarasov From Columbus Blue Jackets

The Florida Panthers, fresh off their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship, have acquired goaltender Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick. Tarasov, a 26-year-old restricted free agent, is expected to serve as the backup to starter Sergei Bobrovsky, who has been instrumental in the Panthers' recent success. The trade addresses the Panthers' backup goalie situation as Vitek Vanecek, the previous backup, is set to become an unrestricted free agent. Tarasov brings size and potential, although his performance with Columbus was mixed, partly due to the team's weak defensive support. Panthers GM Bill Zito, known for savvy trades, sees Tarasov as a solid addition who can develop under Bobrovsky's mentorship while benefiting from Florida's stronger defensive system. The Blue Jackets expressed gratitude for Tarasov's contributions over four years as he moves to a team positioned for continued success.