The Florida Panthers have improved their Stanley Cup odds in a significant manner Wednesday after acquiring forward Vladimir Tarasenko from the Ottawa Senators.
Heading back to Ottawa is a conditional 4th round pick in 2024, and a 3rd round pick in 2025. The Senators will also be retaining 50% of Tarasenko’s salary in order to facilitate the trade.
Tarasenko is a proven playoff performer who helped the St. Louis Blues capture the Stanley Cup in 2019. His 44 goals, and 64 points across 97 postseason games will be a massive boost to a Panthers squad with championship aspirations following their loss to Vegas in the finals last season.
“Vladimir is a highly skilled and experienced scoring winger who provides our club with another dynamic offensive option as we embark on the remainder of our season,” Panthers GM Bill Zito said. “We are excited for him to join our team and to compete for the Stanley Cup once again.”
The 32 year old winger will likely slide into a top 6 role in Florida, and will now be on the move for the 2nd year in a row at the NHL trade deadline. Across 57 games with Ottawa, Tarasenko registered 41 points (17G, 24A) with a +13 rating in the nation’s capital.
On Ottawa’s side of things, they did well to turn an expiring asset into a tangible return (Tarasenko was set to become a UFA at season’s end). However fans have been justifiably perplexed at the underwhelming return for the Russian forward given the market value previous trades had set.
Wednesday saw Colorado flip a conditional 2025 1st round pick and Ryan Johansen for defenceman Sean Walker and 2026 5th round pick, and Adam Henrique & Sam Carrick sent to Edmonton in exchange for a 2024 1st and a conditional 5th rounder to the Ducks. Meanwhile, Anthony Mantha was acquired by Vegas for a 2024 2nd rounder and 2026 4th round selection the day prior.
Of note, Tarasenko’s family is currently in Florida, and he possessed a full no move clause, likely limiting the number of potential suitors Ottawa could have called upon. That being said, those points will do little to assuage an Ottawa fanbase that has grown tired of perennially missing out on the postseason.
The Florida Panthers are next in action against the Philadelphia Flyers at 7pm ET Thursday evening, while the Sens begin their west coast swing with a 10pm ET date with the Anaheim Ducks on Wednesday.
-Kyle Skinner
Twitter: @JKyleSkinner
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