Blue Jackets Trade Goaltender Daniil Tarasov to Panthers

COLUMBUS, Ohio – The Columbus Blue Jackets announced today the trade of goaltender Daniil Tarasov to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a fifth-round pick, 160th overall, in the 2025 NHL Draft. The trade was confirmed by club President of Hockey Operations and General Manager Don Waddell on June 26, 2025.

Tarasov, 26, has had a challenging career thus far with a record of 19-34-6, a 3.44 goals-against average (GAA), and a .898 save percentage (SV%) after appearing in 65 games for the Blue Jackets since making his NHL debut in the 2021-22 season. Last season, he recorded a 7-10-2 record with a 3.54 GAA and .881 SV% in 20 games.

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

Tarasov was selected by the Blue Jackets in the third round of the 2017 NHL Draft. He has also played with the Cleveland Monsters in the AHL, posting a 17-12-3 record with a 3.25 GAA and .894 SV% in 34 games. In the AHL, he showed promise but faced struggles last season, finishing with a 1-1-0 record and a .908 SV% in two games.

The Panthers’ acquisition of Tarasov comes as they prepare for the 2025 NHL Draft, scheduled for this Friday and Saturday at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles. Florida currently holds the 14th and 20th overall picks in the first round. The trade also hints at potential changes in the Panthers’ goaltending lineup, as Vitek Vanecek is a pending unrestricted free agent.

Tarasov’s move to Florida positions him as a potential backup to Sergei Bobrovsky, who is entering the final year of his contract. The 6-foot-5 goaltender’s size and skills offer considerable upside for the Panthers moving forward.

The upcoming NHL Draft will be broadcast live on ESPN and NHL Network, beginning at 7 p.m. ET on Friday. The Blue Jackets will also feature their own Draft Show live on 97.1 The Fan at 6 p.m. on the same day.