Columbus Blue Jackets Trade Goaltender Daniil Tarasov
In a significant move on Thursday, the Columbus Blue Jackets have finalized a trade sending goaltender Daniil Tarasov to the Florida Panthers in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick (No. 160), as the NHL draft approaches this weekend. This decision follows a tumultuous period for Tarasov, who, over the past season, found himself sidelined frequently, as coaches opted to call up Jet Greaves from the minors whenever starter Elvis Merzlikins required a break.
General Manager’s Statement
General Manager Don Waddell acknowledged Tarasov’s contributions during his four-year tenure with the Blue Jackets, stating, “On behalf of the Blue Jackets, I’d like to thank Daniil for his contributions to our organization. He is an outstanding young man, and we wish him all the best moving forward.”
Goaltending Hierarchy Changes
While the Blue Jackets had initially planned to extend a qualifying offer to the restricted free agent, it was evident that Greaves had overtaken Tarasov in the team’s goaltending hierarchy, especially following Greaves’ impressive performance at the season’s conclusion.
Future of the Goaltending Lineup
As the Blue Jackets eye potential changes in their goaltending lineup, Merzlikins still has two years left on a contract valued at $5.4 million; however, he’s logged some of the lowest performances statistically across the league in recent seasons. The future of Merzlikins remains uncertain as the club might explore creative trade options or possibly embark on a contract buyout.
New Opportunities for Tarasov
For Tarasov, the trade marks a fresh start, providing the opportunity to become the backup to veteran goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky with the Panthers, a team riding high with two consecutive Stanley Cup victories. Notably, both Tarasov and Bobrovsky hail from Novokuznetsk, Russia, and Tarasov has frequently voiced his admiration for the former Blue Jackets standout, who excelled in Columbus, capturing two Vezina trophies during his time there before moving on in 2019.
Tarasov’s Career Stats
Tarasov, aged 26, wraps up his tenure with Columbus having recorded a 19-34-6 record along with a .898 save percentage and a 3.44 goals-against average over 65 games, with 61 of those being starts. A memorable moment in his career came on January 18, when he made 26 saves in a narrow 1-0 overtime loss to the New York Rangers—marking him as the first NHL goaltender to earn a shutout while still suffering a loss in the same game.
Conclusion
This trade signifies a shift for the Blue Jackets and the beginning of a potential overhaul in their goaltending department as they navigate the offseason ahead.
