The Florida Panthers have made a crucial addition by acquiring goaltender Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets in exchange for a fifth-round draft pick. This move secures Bobrovsky’s backup role and potentially sets Tarasov up as his successor. At just 26, Tarasov brings youth and talent, coming from the same Siberian town as Bobrovsky. Meanwhile, the Panthers are also focused on retaining key players such as Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad as they pursue another championship.

In other NHL developments, the Minnesota Wild traded veteran center Freddy Gaudreau to the Seattle Kraken for a fourth-round pick. Gaudreau had a strong regular season but faltered during the playoffs. The Wild now have an opportunity to rebuild with additional draft picks while the Kraken bolster their depth at center.

The Florida Panthers have enhanced their roster by acquiring goaltender Daniil Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets, a strategic move intended to bolster their goaltending depth. In exchange, the Panthers sent a fifth-round draft pick to Columbus. At 26, Tarasov represents a younger alternative to Sergei Bobrovsky, who has been instrumental in the Panthers' back-to-back Stanley Cup victories.

Coming from the same Siberian town as Bobrovsky, Tarasov's familial ties to the veteran add an intriguing narrative to his transfer. Meanwhile, the Blue Jackets acknowledged Tarasov's contributions during his four years with the team, expressing gratitude for his dedication. As the Panthers look ahead, they face decisions regarding key players such as playoff MVP Sam Bennett and defenseman Aaron Ekblad as they navigate re-signing and further roster adjustments.

Injury updates shake the league as several star players are sidelined. Colton Dach of the Chicago Blackhawks is day-to-day with a hyperextended elbow, while the Columbus Blue Jackets’ Daniil Tarasov is out with illness. Dallas Stars’ Thomas Harley is taking a maintenance day. Major concerns surround the Edmonton Oilers as Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl could be out for up to a week with lower-body injuries, leaving their playoff preparation in jeopardy.

In other news, New Jersey Devils forwards Ondrej Palat and Curtis Lazar have also faced injury setbacks, prompting the recall of Nolan Foote. The New York Islanders lack updates on Mathew Barzal and Semyon Varlamov, while Philadelphia Flyers defenseman Rasmus Ristolainen’s status is in limbo as he’s now week-to-week. The St. Louis Blues keep an eye on Oskar Sundqvist, who was given a maintenance day.

The Carolina Hurricanes displayed an impressive offensive performance, scoring five goals in a blistering second period to defeat the Columbus Blue Jackets 7-4. Seth Jarvis led the charge with two goals and two assists, while Sebastian Aho contributed one goal and two assists. Eric Robinson, Jackson Blake, Jordan Martinook, and Jesperi Kotkaniemi also added to the Hurricanes' tally, with Jarvis sealing the victory with an empty-netter. Goalie Frederik Andersen made 18 saves in his 300th NHL win, helping the Hurricanes extend their winning streak to four games.

Despite the loss, the Blue Jackets showcased their offensive skills as well, with goals from Kent Johnson, Kirill Marchenko, James van Riemsdyk, and Dmitri Voronkov. Columbus struck early, taking a two-goal lead, but the Hurricanes quickly responded, outshooting the Blue Jackets 24-3 in the second period. Carolina's ability to erase the deficit and dominate the frame was a key factor in securing the win.

Igor Shesterkin was instrumental in the New York Rangers' recent victory, achieving a shutout by stopping 27 shots against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The Rangers initially struggled but improved their defensive play significantly after the first intermission, limiting high-danger chances to just one in the second and third periods. Despite a lack of goals from both teams, the game was engaging, highlighted by Mika Zibanejad's two breakaway attempts in overtime, thwarted by Blue Jackets goalie Daniil Tarasov.

The Rangers' solid start to 2025 is promising as they face tough competition ahead of the Four Nations break. Zibanejad's resurgence has coincided with the team’s improvement, showcasing the impact of his form on the team's overall confidence. The Rangers will need this momentum as they prepare for a back-to-back matchup against the Montreal Canadiens, emphasizing Zibanejad's crucial role moving forward.