Panthers land Tarasenko from Senators for a pair of draft picks

The NHL-leading Florida Panthers landed ahead Vladimir Tarasenko from the Ottawa Senators for a pair of draft picks, including extra wing depth earlier than the playoffs begin.

The Panthers despatched a fourth-round decide on this yr’s draft to Ottawa as a part of the deal, and the fourth-rounder would improve to a 2026 third-rounder if Florida wins the Stanley Cup this season. Ottawa is also getting a third-round decide from Florida in 2025, whereas the Senators are retaining half of Tarasenko’s wage.

“Vladimir is a extremely expert and skilled scoring winger who offers our membership with one other dynamic offensive possibility as we embark on the rest of our season,” Panthers common supervisor Invoice Zito stated. “We’re excited for him to hitch our workforce, and to compete for the Stanley Cup as soon as once more.”

Ottawa now has $7.2 million in cap house.

Tarasenko had a full no-trade clause as a part of his $5 million, one-year contract with Ottawa, permitting him to decide on his most popular vacation spot. One other pending free agent who signed only for this season, Washington’s Max Pacioretty, is in the identical boat.

Tarasenko has 17 objectives and 24 assists in 57 video games with Ottawa this season. And promoting him on Florida doubtless was straightforward.

Tarasenko owns a house in South Florida, has a relationship with Panthers goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and now joins a workforce adequate to win a title. He has tons of playoff expertise — 97 video games in 10 years — and helped St. Louis win the Stanley Cup in 2017.

The commerce is the second for a rental winger in as many days after the defending Stanley Cup champion Vegas Golden Knights acquired Anthony Mantha from the Capitals, additionally for 2 draft picks. Vegas defeated Florida within the remaining final season.

The Panthers are 43-16-4, the very best document within the NHL.

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AP Sports activities Author Tim Reynolds in Dawn, Florida, contributed to this report.

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