The two-time reigning Stanley Cup champions didn`t have to look far to find their new backup netminder.
As announced by the team on Thursday, the Florida Panthers acquired goaltender Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fifth-round selection in this week`s upcoming draft.
Tarasov, who is slated to become a restricted free agent on July 1, is expected to serve as the backup to Sergei Bobrovsky. Last season for the Blue Jackets, he made 19 starts and recorded a 7-10-2 record.
Over his four-year professional career, the 26-year-old has started 65 games, tallying 19 wins with a goals-against average of 3.44. Tarasov was originally drafted 86th overall by the Blue Jackets in 2017.
Bobrovsky, 36, is entering the final year of his seven-year contract, valued at $70 million.
Columbus General Manager Don Waddell commented, “On behalf of the Blue Jackets organization, I want to express our gratitude to Daniil for his contributions over the past four seasons. He is a tremendous young man, and we wish him and his family success and happiness moving forward.”
With Vitek Vanecek anticipated to depart as an unrestricted free agent, Florida`s focus now shifts to potentially re-signing key players such as playoff MVP Sam Bennett, trade-deadline addition Brad Marchand, and long-time foundational defenceman Aaron Ekblad.
Tristan Blackwood