Red Wings sign Daniil Tarasov, Jacob Bryson to one-year deals

The team in Hockeytown has its goaltending set for next year.

On the opening day of NHL free agency, the Detroit Red Wings announced that the team has signed goaltender Daniil Tarasov to a one-year contract. The deal will carry a cap hit of $2 million for the 2026-27 season. The team also signed defenseman Jacob Bryson to a one-year contract, with an $850,000 salary.

Tarasov solidifies the team’s netminding situation. The Red Wings have John Gibson on the books for one more year, with the veteran being the consensus No. 1. General manager Steve Yzerman traded away prospect Sebastian Cossa, who some believed could earn the backup role next year, to the Utah Mammoth for a first-round pick.

Tarasov has experience backing up exceptional goaltending. Last season, on a one-year, $1.05 million contract, he was behind Sergei Bobrovsky with the Florida Panthers. In 33 games, the Russian netminder posted a record of 13-15-3, with a 3.05 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage.

He came to Florida after starting his career with the Columbus Blue Jackets, the team that took him in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft. He seemed to be on pace to eventually become a key member of the team, but couldn’t eclipse Elvis Merzlikins on the depth chart, leading to Tarasov signing with the Cats.

In 98 career games in the NHL, the 27-year-old has a record of 32-49-9, with a 3.30 GAA, a .897 SV% and one shutout.

Bryson comes to Detroit after spending last season with the Buffalo Sabres and Winnipeg Jets. After playing in the Sabres system for over six years, he was traded to the Jets as part of the deal when the Sabres received Logan Stanley and Luke Schenn, ahead of the trade deadline in March. In 50 games overall, the 28-year-old scored two goals and eight points.

In 304 career games in the NHL, Bryson has potted six goals and 45 assists for 51 points.