The league-leading Florida Panthers traded a third-round pick and a conditional fourth-round pick to the Ottawa Senators for forward Vladimir Tarasenko.
For the second time in two seasons, forward Vladimir Tarasenko is traded ahead of the deadline.
The Florida Panthers acquired Tarasenko from the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday for a 2025 third-round draft pick and a 2024 fourth-round pick. The fourth-rounder will become a 2026 third-rounder if the Panthers win the Stanley Cup this season.
Ottawa's retaining half of Tarasenko's $5-million cap hit for the remainder of this season. He'll be a UFA this off-season unless he signs a contract extension with the Panthers before then.
Tarasenko, 32, was the Senators' fifth-leading scorer, with 17 goals and 24 assists for 41 points in 57 games. After signing with the Sens last off-season, he had 11 different linemates from the first to third lines at 5-on-5, according to moneypuck.com.
With a no-trade clause, Tarasenko had full control over where he could go, and his preferred destination was the Panthers.
Currently leading the NHL, the Panthers add a veteran with a Stanley Cup championship to their top six forwards. They already rank eighth in the NHL in goals-for per game, so upgrading their offense for two mid-round picks while also having the league's fewest goals against per game is setting them up well for a playoff run.
For more reaction, stay tuned to The Hockey News' Ottawa Senators and Florida Panthers sites.