Daniil Tarasov Bio
Daniil Vadimovich Tarasov is a Russian professional ice hockey goaltender who currently plays for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL). Born on 27 March 1999 in Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo Oblast, Russia, Tarasov comes from a distinguished hockey lineage as the son of former professional goaltender Vadim Tarasov. He was selected 86th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the third round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft and has developed into a reliable netminder through his progression across multiple professional leagues in Russia, Finland, and North America.
Early Life and Background
Tarasov was born in Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo Oblast, where his father Vadim was serving as the starting goaltender for Metallurg Novokuznetsk in the Russian Superleague at the time of his birth. The younger Tarasov began skating at just three years old, demonstrating an early connection to the sport that would define his life. When Daniil was seven years old, the family relocated to Ufa after his father signed with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in 2006.
Upon joining Salavat Yulaev’s sports school system, Tarasov initially played as a defenseman before making the pivotal switch to goaltender at the age of eight. This position change would prove instrumental in shaping his future career trajectory. His father’s professional career spanned 17 seasons in the RSL and KHL, and Vadim was drafted 196th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft. The elder Tarasov now serves as the goaltending coach for Sibir Novosibirsk, continuing his influence on the next generation of Russian goaltenders.
Path to Professional Hockey
Tarasov’s development continued through Salavat Yulaev’s youth system, where he refined his skills as a goaltender. On 16 November 2015, he made his Junior Hockey League (MHL) debut with Tolpar Ufa, earning a victory in his first appearance against Chaika Nizhny Novgorod. However, his promising start was interrupted when he missed the following MHL season while 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 2016-17 MHL season. He appeared in 40 games, posting an impressive 1.85 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage. His strong performance earned him a spot on Russia’s under-18 national team for the 2016 IIHF World U18 Championships, where he served as the starting goaltender and was named one of the top three players on his team.
Daniil Tarasov Career
Early Professional Career (2018-2021)
Following his MHL career, Tarasov was selected 86th overall by the Columbus Blue Jackets in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft, marking his first step toward professional hockey in North America. He made his professional debut on 10 September 2018, joining Toros Neftekamsk of the Supreme Hockey League (VHL). In his rookie professional season, he played 25 games with a 1.71 GAA and .928 save percentage, leading his team to a semi-final appearance in the 2019 Petrov Cup playoffs.
His standout VHL performance earned him the Best Rookie award for the 2018-19 season. He recorded his first professional shutout on 9 January 2019 in a 2-0 victory against Bars Kazan. Shortly after, on 14 February 2019, he made his Kontinental Hockey League (KHL) debut with Salavat Yulaev Ufa and recorded his first KHL shutout in a 3-0 win against Admiral Vladivostok.
North American Transition (2019-2022)
On 4 May 2019, Tarasov signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Rather than immediately joining the organization, he was loaned to Ässät in Finland’s Liiga for the 2019-20 season. He appeared in 41 games with the Finnish club, posting a 2.72 GAA and .899 save percentage. The following season was complicated by the COVID-19 pandemic, causing him to split time between Salavat Yulaev in the KHL and the Blue Jackets’ American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters.
He made his AHL debut on 3 April 2021 for the Cleveland Monsters in a 4-2 victory against the Grand Rapids Griffins. The 2021-22 season saw Tarasov establish himself as the Monsters’ starting goaltender, though he missed time after testing positive for COVID-19. On 2 December 2021, he received an emergency call-up to the NHL and made his debut for the Columbus Blue Jackets, stopping 34 shots in a narrow 3-2 loss to the Dallas Stars.
Columbus Blue Jackets Era (2021-2025)
Tarasov earned his first career NHL victory on 23 October 2022, stopping 30 shots in a 5-1 Blue Jackets win against the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. This made him the second Blue Jackets goaltender to record his first NHL win at that venue, following Matīss Kivlenieks who had accomplished the same feat two years earlier. Throughout the 2022-23 season, he split time between the Cleveland Monsters and Columbus Blue Jackets, serving as backup while Elvis Merzļikins and Joonas Korpisalo dealt with injuries.
On 20 November 2022, Tarasov delivered a standout performance with 47 saves in a 5-3 victory against the Florida Panthers. This effort tied for the second-most saves by a Blue Jackets rookie goaltender in a single game and represented the highest save total by a rookie NHL goaltender that season. He continued to develop his craft within the Blue Jackets organization through the 2023-24 and 2024-25 seasons, gaining valuable NHL experience while refining his skills at the professional level.
Florida Panthers Era (2025-Present)
On 26 June 2025, Tarasov was traded to the Florida Panthers 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 marked a new chapter in his career, joining a franchise with strong playoff aspirations and a history of developing competitive goaltenders.
Playing Style and Strengths
Tarasov possesses the prototypical size for a modern NHL goaltender at 6 feet 5 inches (196 cm), giving him excellent coverage of the net’s upper corners. A left-catcher, he has developed his technique through multiple leagues and coaching influences, including guidance from his father Vadim, who serves as a goaltending coach in the KHL. His athletic ability, combined with his experience across various ice surfaces and competition levels, has helped him adapt to the North American game.
Notable International Achievements
Beyond his club career, Tarasov has represented Russia at multiple international levels. At the 2016 IIHF World U18 Championships, he served as Russia’s starting goaltender after the entire under-18 team was replaced with under-17 players due to a meldonium scandal affecting the program. He was recognized as one of the top three players on his team during that tournament. Tarasov also won a bronze medal with Russia’s national junior team at the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and played for the senior national team at the 2019 Deutschland Cup.
Daniil Tarasov Career Highlights
Throughout his professional career, Tarasov has accumulated experience across five different leagues on three continents. His professional record includes appearances in the VHL, KHL, Liiga, AHL, and NHL, demonstrating his ability to compete at various levels of professional hockey.
Professional Milestones
His most notable achievements include winning Best Rookie in the VHL during the 2018-19 season with Toros Neftekamsk, where he posted a remarkable 1.71 GAA and .928 save percentage. In international competition, he earned a bronze medal at the 2019 World Junior Championships and was named among the top three players on Russia’s under-18 national team at the 2016 U18 World Championships. His first NHL victory at Madison Square Garden against the New York Rangers represented a significant milestone in his professional development.
Statistics Summary
Across his professional career spanning the VHL, KHL, Liiga, AHL, and NHL, Tarasov has demonstrated consistent performance metrics. His best statistical season came in the VHL with Toros Neftekamsk, while his NHL experience has continued to grow through his tenure with the Columbus Blue Jackets. He recorded multiple shutouts across various leagues, including his first KHL shutout against Admiral Vladivostok and his first professional shutout against Bars Kazan in the VHL.
| League | Games Played | Save Percentage | Shutouts |
|---|---|---|---|
| VHL (Toros Neftekamsk) | 25 | .928 | Multiple |
| KHL (Salavat Yulaev Ufa) | Season Debut | Strong | Yes |
| Liiga (Ässät) | 41 | .899 | – |
| AHL (Cleveland Monsters) | Multiple | Developing | – |
| NHL (Columbus Blue Jackets) | Active | Improving | Active |
Daniil Tarasov Family
Family Background and Hockey Lineage
Tarasov’s family background is deeply connected to professional hockey. His father, Vadim Tarasov, carved out a notable career as a professional goaltender, spending 17 seasons in the Russian Superleague and KHL. Drafted 196th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft, Vadim never played in the NHL but established himself as a respected presence between the pipes in Russian hockey. He now applies his experience as the goaltending coach for Sibir Novosibirsk, helping develop the next generation of Russian goaltenders.
This family legacy provided Daniil with unparalleled access to hockey knowledge from an early age. Growing up in a household centered on the goaltending position gave him insights into the mental and physical demands of the role that most young players never receive. The family’s move to Ufa in 2006, following Vadim’s signing with Salavat Yulaev, placed Daniil in one of Russia’s premier hockey development systems.
Personal Life
Tarasov is married, though he maintains relatively private personal details away from the public spotlight. After being drafted by the Blue Jackets, he began learning English to better prepare himself for a potential career in North America. His favorite goaltenders include Andrei Vasilevskiy, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Carey Price, studying their techniques and approaches to the position. Currently, he resides with his family while continuing his professional hockey career with the Florida Panthers organization.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a significant transition for Tarasov as he joins the Florida Panthers organization following four seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Acquired via trade on 26 June 2025, he signed a one-year contract with the Panthers on 1 July, positioning himself as part of a competitive goaltending situation in South Florida. The Panthers have established themselves as consistent playoff contenders, providing Tarasov with an opportunity to compete for playing time while continuing his development at the NHL level.
His experience spanning multiple leagues and international competitions gives him a well-rounded perspective that could prove valuable within the Panthers’ system. The organization has shown a commitment to developing goaltending talent, and Tarasov’s track record of steady improvement throughout his career suggests he can contribute meaningfully to the team’s success. As he adapts to his new surroundings and team dynamics, Tarasov will look to build on the foundation established during his time in Columbus and push for increased responsibilities within the Panthers’ lineup.