The Florida Panthers, fresh off their second consecutive Stanley Cup victory, have made a move to solidify their goaltending depth, acquiring Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets. In exchange, the Blue Jackets receive a fifth-round pick (160th overall) in the 2025 NHL Draft. The trade, announced by Blue Jackets President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell, addresses a need for both clubs heading into the offseason.

Tarasov, 26, is expected to serve as the primary backup to Sergei Bobrovsky in Florida. He is coming off a season where he posted a 7-10-2 record with a 3.54 goals-against average and .881 save percentage in 20 games for Columbus. Throughout his NHL career, since debuting in 2021-22, Tarasov has played in 65 games, recording a 19-34-6 record with a 3.44 goals-against average, .898 save percentage, and one shutout.

For the Panthers, the acquisition of Tarasov provides a reliable option behind Bobrovsky, who is entering the final year of his contract. With Vitek Vanecek becoming an unrestricted free agent, Tarasov is poised to step into the backup role. The Panthers will need to extend Tarasov a qualifying offer by Monday, as he is a restricted free agent. He previously carried a $1.05 million cap hit.

The Blue Jackets, on the other hand, continue their rebuild by adding another draft pick. The team now has eight picks in the 2025 NHL Draft, including two in the first round. This move signals a strategic shift for Columbus, focusing on accumulating assets and developing young talent.

"On behalf of the Blue Jackets, I'd like to thank Daniil for his contributions to our organization over the past four years," said Waddell. "He is an outstanding young man, and we wish him and his family well in the future."

Tarasov was drafted by the Blue Jackets in the third round (86th overall) of the 2017 NHL Draft. Before making his NHL debut, the Novokuznetsk, Russia, native also played 34 games for the Cleveland Monsters of the American Hockey League, where he recorded a 17-12-3 record with a 3.25 goals-against average and .894 save percentage.

As the Panthers look to defend their Stanley Cup title and the Blue Jackets aim to rebuild for the future, this trade provides both teams with an opportunity to address their respective needs. The move allows Tarasov a fresh start with a contending team, while the Blue Jackets gain valuable draft capital to continue building their prospect pool.