Panthers make trade for backup goaltender

The Florida Panthers have acquired goaltender Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets, according to their official X account: 

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) June 26, 2025

Backup goaltender Vitek Vanecek is an unrestricted free agent, and Tarasov can slot in nicely as Sergei Bobrovsky’s backup for the 2025-26 season.

Tarasov came up with the Blue Jackets during the 2021-22 campaign but saw limited action. Over the last three seasons, he has put up respectable numbers as a No. 2, going 19-32-6 with an .896 save percentage and 3.49 goals allowed on average.

A former third-round pick in the 2017 Draft by Columbus, Tarasov should benefit from playing in front of a much better defensive core, a stronger defensive structure, and the Panthers' magic that seemingly rubs off on everyone who joins the franchise.

Bobrovsky has shown no signs of slowing down and was his usual dominant self during Florida’s most recent Stanley Cup run. However, he also turns 37 in September and is not going to play much more than 50 games (should all go well for the Panthers).

General manager Bill Zito is a master trader, and while Tarasov is not going to propel them much higher than their already sky-high heights, he is a solid add.

Zito also has an incredible track record involving goaltender trades. He dealt Devon Levi and a 2022 first-rounder for Sam Reinhart, and traded Spencer Knight and a conditional 2026 first-rounder for Seth Jones.

Both of those deals have already paid dividends, but they left Florida a bit thin with young goaltenders. Now, the 26-year-old Tarasov has a chance to learn from Bobrovsky and progress his career.