Panthers Linked To Vladimir Tarasenko

As the Florida Panthers assess Brad Marchand’s lower-body injury, multiple reports suggest the team may be considering a familiar player to fill the gap. On 32 Thoughts, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman reported that the Panthers are interested in signing Vladimir Tarasenko if Marchand is out for an extended period. Still, if Marchand isn’t expected to miss much time, it’s unlikely that Florida will try to sign him.

Unfortunately, if Florida reaches out to Tarasenko, there’s no word on who they’d contact. According to Pierre LeBrun of TSN, after hiring Dan Millstein as his representative earlier in the summer, Tarasenko decided to terminate their partnership a few months later. As of now, there’s no confirmation that Tarasenko hired a new agency to represent him. Regardless, he’s arguably the top unrestricted free agent remaining on the market.

Many believe that Tarasenko would be pleased to receive a call from the Panthers. While he awaits his next opportunity, Tarasenko has been skating in Florida with other free agents, Patrik Laine (UFA) and Alexander Nikishin (RFA).

Tarasenko achieved success during his previous time with the Panthers. Florida acquired Tarasenko from the Ottawa Senators at the 2023-24 trade deadline, and he finished the season scoring six goals and 14 points in 19 games, averaging 14:48 of ice time. Additionally, Tarasenko registered five goals and nine points in 24 postseason contests, helping the Panthers to win the franchise’s first Stanley Cup championship.

He hasn’t achieved much success since. Tarasenko’s first year with the Detroit Red Wings was less than ideal, scoring 11 goals and 33 points in 80 games with a -13 rating. He performed much better with the Minnesota Wild after an offseason trade, but the team was bounced in Round Two of the playoffs.

Still, if the Panthers do target Tarasenko, his salary will be a serious question. Florida has approximately $3.1MM in cap space, but much of this is due to Aleksander Barkov’s placement on long-term injured reserve. Since Barkov will return this season, the Panthers can’t just spend his cap hit.

Even though he’s coming off his ninth 20-goal campaign, Tarasenko shouldn’t command too much since he has almost no bargaining power. Still, even with a potential hole in the lineup depending on Marchand’s status, the Panthers will almost assuredly have to remove another player from the roster to make financial space.