Daniil Tarasov Bio
Daniil Vadimovich Tarasov is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender currently playing for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 27 March 1999 in Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo Oblast, Russia, Tarasov has established himself as a promising netminder with a career trajectory that spans multiple international leagues before reaching the NHL. Selected 86th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, he has developed his craft through the Russian junior systems, the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL), Finland’s Liiga, and the American Hockey League (AHL) before making his NHL breakthrough. On 26 June 2025, Tarasov was traded to the Florida Panthers, marking a new chapter in his professional career.
Early Life and Background
Tarasov was born in Novokuznetsk, Russia, where his father, Vadim Tarasov, served as a goaltender for Metallurg Novokuznetsk in the Russian Superleague at the time of Daniil’s birth. The younger Tarasov began skating at just three years old, showing early promise in the sport that would define his life. When he was seven years old, the family relocated to Ufa after his father signed with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in 2006.
Following his move to Ufa, Daniil joined Salavat Yulaev’s sports school program. Initially, he started his hockey journey as a defenceman before making the significant transition to goaltender at the age of eight. This position switch proved pivotal, as the young netminder began developing the skills that would later earn him recognition throughout European and North American hockey leagues.
Path to Professional Hockey
Tarasov’s development continued through Salavat Yulaev’s youth system before he advanced to the Junior Hockey League (MHL), where he debuted with Tolpar Ufa on 16 November 2015. His debut came in a 6-4 victory against Chaika Nizhny Novgorod, marking the beginning of his junior career. However, his progression faced a setback when he missed the following MHL season after undergoing surgery on his tibia to remove a tumor.
Upon returning from injury, Tarasov reclaimed his position as Tolpar Ufa’s starting goaltender during the next MHL season. He played 40 games with impressive statistics, recording a 1.85 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage. These performances caught the attention of NHL scouts, leading to his selection in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft.
Daniil Tarasov Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Following his selection by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2017 NHL Draft, Tarasov remained in Russia to continue his development. On 10 September 2018, he made his professional debut for Toros Neftekamsk in the Supreme Hockey League (VHL), earning a victory in a 6-1 win against KRS-BSU. Less than four months later, on 9 January 2019, he recorded his first professional shutout in a 2-0 victory against Bars Kazan.
His transition to the Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) came swiftly, as he debuted for Salavat Yulaev Ufa on 14 February 2019 and recorded his first KHL shutout in a 3-0 win against Admiral Vladivostok. In his rookie professional season with Toros Neftekamsk, Tarasov played 25 games with a stellar 1.71 goals-against average and .928 save percentage, leading the team to a semi-final appearance in the 2019 Petrov Cup playoffs. He was awarded Best Rookie in the VHL for his outstanding performance.
Columbus Blue Jackets Era (2021–2025)
On 4 May 2019, Tarasov signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets, officially joining the NHL organization. However, his transition to North America was gradual. He was loaned to Ässät in Finland’s Liiga for the 2019-20 season, where he appeared in 41 games with a 2.72 goals-against average and .899 save percentage.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, his timeline shifted, and he split time between Salavat Yulaev in the KHL and the Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters. On 3 April 2021, he made his North American professional debut for the Cleveland Monsters in a 4-2 victory against the Grand Rapids Griffins. The following season, he became the Monsters’ starting goaltender but missed playing time after testing positive for COVID-19.
His NHL breakthrough arrived on 2 December 2021, when Tarasov received an emergency call-up to Columbus due to illness among the team’s other goaltenders. He made his NHL debut that night, stopping 34 shots in a narrow 3-2 loss to the Dallas Stars. The following season, on 23 October 2022, Tarasov earned his first career NHL victory in dramatic fashion at Madison Square Garden, making 30 saves in a 5-1 Blue Jackets win against the New York Rangers.
Throughout the 2022-23 season, Tarasov split time between the Cleveland Monsters and Columbus Blue Jackets, stepping in as backup when injuries affected the team’s other goaltenders. On 20 November 2022, he turned in an exceptional performance with 47 saves in a 5-3 victory against the Florida Panthers, tied for the second-most saves by a Blue Jackets rookie goaltender in a single game.
Florida Panthers Era (2025–Present)
On 26 June 2025, Tarasov was acquired by the Florida Panthers through a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. He subsequently signed a one-year contract with the Panthers on 1 July 2025. This move represented a fresh start for the Russian goaltender as he joined a team with strong playoff aspirations.
Playing Style and Strengths
Tarasov stands at 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm), giving him considerable reach and presence in the crease. His athletic ability, combined with his size, allows him to cover significant net area. His technical development benefited from his diverse experience across multiple leagues, including the MHL, VHL, KHL, Liiga, AHL, and NHL, exposing him to various playing styles and systems.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his most memorable performances was his NHL debut with 34 saves against the Dallas Stars and his first career win at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers. His 47-save performance against the Florida Panthers demonstrated his ability to make high-volume saves in high-pressure situations. His progression from Russian junior leagues to becoming an NHL regular represents a significant career arc for the goaltender.
Daniil Tarasov Career Wins
Throughout his professional career spanning the MHL, VHL, KHL, Liiga, AHL, and NHL, Tarasov has accumulated wins across multiple levels. His most significant victories include professional debuts in both the VHL and KHL, along with his North American professional debut in the AHL and his NHL debut and first career win.
International Highlights
Tarasov represented Russia at the international level beginning at the 2016 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he served as Russia’s starting goaltender and was named one of the top three players on the team. The tournament saw him step up after the original under-18 roster was replaced due to meldonium violations. He also competed for Russia at the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, winning a bronze medal, and participated in the 2019 Deutschland Cup with the senior national team.
Junior and Minor League Wins
In junior hockey, Tarasov’s most notable achievement came with Tolpar Ufa, where his strong performances in the MHL helped establish his reputation as an elite goaltending prospect. His VHL career was highlighted by his Best Rookie award in the 2018-19 season with Toros Neftekamsk, along with his championship-level statistics that led to semi-final playoff advancement.
Daniil Tarasov Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Tarasov comes from a distinguished hockey family. His father, Vadim Tarasov, was a professional goaltender who played 17 seasons in the Russian Superleague and KHL. Notably, Vadim was drafted 196th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, making him a player with NHL draft pedigree similar to his son. Following his playing career, Vadim Tarasov transitioned to coaching and currently serves as the goaltending coach for Sibir Novosibirsk.
This family legacy provided Daniil with early exposure to professional hockey environments, quality coaching from a young age, and an understanding of the demands required to reach elite levels. Growing up with a goaltending father undoubtedly influenced his own decision to become a netminder, providing him with mentorship and guidance throughout his development.
Personal Life
Outside of hockey, Tarasov has cited Andrei Vasilevskiy, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Carey Price as his favorite goaltenders, drawing inspiration from some of the NHL’s top performers at his position. After being drafted by the Blue Jackets, he dedicated himself to learning English to better prepare for his eventual transition to North American hockey. He is married, though he maintains a private approach to his personal relationships.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a significant transition for Tarasov as he joins the Florida Panthers organization. Following his trade from Columbus in late June 2025, he signed a one-year contract with the team in early July, giving him an opportunity to compete for a regular NHL role with a franchise known for its competitive roster. His size, athleticism, and international experience provide him with tools to contribute to the Panthers’ goaltending depth.
The Panthers acquired Tarasov to bolster their goaltending corps, and his performance during training camp and the preseason will determine his role with the team. His ability to adapt quickly to a new system and establish chemistry with the team’s defensive players will be key factors in his success. With his career spanning multiple international leagues and his recent NHL experience with Columbus, Tarasov brings versatility and a proven track record of development to his new organization.
