Panthers re-sign Daniil Tarasov to one-year contract
On Tuesday, the Florida Panthers announced the team has signed goaltender Daniil Tarasov to a one-year contract extension. The deal will carry a cap hit of $1.05 million through the 2025-26 season.
The #TimeToHunt have signed 26 y/o RFA G Daniil Tarasov to 1 Year $1.05M Cap Hit contract
Will be UFA upon expiry
Rep'd by J.P. Barry @CAAHockey https://t.co/AEYllg52wY
Tarasov was acquired by the defending Stanley Cup champions last week, receiving his signing rights from the Columbus Blue Jackets, giving up a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft as a result. The Russian netminder was set to become a restricted free agent with arbitration rights after his three-year contract, also with a $1.05 million salary, came to an end this past season.
Tarasov’s new contract will allow him to become an unrestricted free agent next summer.
The trade proved that Florida was interested in the 26-year-old becoming the backup to fellow countryman Sergei Bobrovsky, with Vitek Vanecek becoming a UFA on Tuesday.
There’s a lot to like about Tarasov. He takes up a lot of net, standing 6-foot-5 and weighing over 200 pounds, and has quite a bit of athleticism as well. He’s had to work to adjust to the North American game. Still, he’s been able to establish himself as a capable No. 2 goaltender behind Elvis Merzlikins over the past couple of seasons.
Tarasov has been with the Blue Jackets organization since he was taken in the third round, 86th overall, of the 2017 NHL Draft. After spending time in both Liiga in Finland and the Kontinental Hockey League, Tarasov joined Columbus’ American Hockey League affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters, in 2021. For most of his time in North America, he’s seen time in both the NHL and AHL.
The Novokuznetsk native produced a decent 2023-24 campaign, going 8-11-3 in 24 games, posting a 3.18 goals-against average and .908 save percentage. However, his performance slipped this past season, posting a record of 7-10-2 with a 3.54 GAA and a .881 SV%. He pitched his first NHL shutout on Jan. 18 against the New York Rangers, even though he technically was given the loss as the Blue Jackets ended up falling 1-0 in a shootout.
In 65 career NHL appearances, Tarasov has a record of 19-34-6 with a 3.44 GAA and a .898 SV%.
According to PuckPedia, the Panthers are projected to be $2.175 million over the cap next season.