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, he developed his game within the Russian hockey system before moving to North America, where he has emerged as a promising netminder. Standing 196 cm tall and weighing 84 kg, Tarasov combines size with technical poise, attributes that have shaped his steady climb through the professional ranks.
Early Life and Background
Daniil Vadimovich Tarasov was born in Novokuznetsk, Kemerovo Oblast, a city with a deep hockey tradition in Siberia. His father, Vadim, was playing as a goaltender for Metallurg Novokuznetsk in the Russian Superleague at the time of his birth, which gave Daniil an early and direct connection to the position he would later master. The young Tarasov began skating at the age of three, growing up around the sport and absorbing the rhythms of professional hockey from a very young age.
When Daniil was seven, the family relocated to Ufa after his father signed with Salavat Yulaev Ufa in 2006. There, he entered the Salavat Yulaev sports school, originally playing as a defenceman before switching to goaltender at the age of eight. That transition set the course of his career, as he began to develop the positional instincts and mental approach that have come to define his game.
Path to Professional Hockey
Tarasov’s junior progression began with Tolpar Ufa of the Junior Hockey League (MHL), where he made his debut on 16 November 2015 in a 6–4 win over Chaika Nizhny Novgorod. He missed the following MHL season after undergoing surgery on his tibia for a tumor, a setback he overcame to return and claim the starting goaltending role. Across 40 games, he posted a 1.85 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage, numbers that announced his arrival as a top Russian goaltending prospect.
His strong play drew international attention when, in 2016, he was called up to the Russia under-17 team for the IIHF World U18 Championships after the original squad was replaced following a meldonium issue. Tarasov served as Russia’s starting goaltender and was named one of the top three players on his team. He later represented Russia at the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships, where he won a bronze medal, and also played for the senior team at the 2019 Deutschland Cup. These experiences reinforced his reputation as a clutch performer on big stages.
Daniil Tarasov Career
Early Career (2018–2021)
Tarasov was selected 86th overall in the third round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft by the Columbus Blue Jackets. On 10 September 2018, he made his professional debut with Toros Neftekamsk of the Supreme Hockey League (VHL) in a 6–1 win over KRS-BSU, and on 9 January 2019 he recorded his first professional shutout in a 2–0 victory over Bars Kazan. He went on to play 25 games for Toros with a 1.71 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage, earning Best Rookie honors in the VHL and reaching the semi-finals of the 2019 Petrov Cup playoffs.
On 4 May 2019, the Columbus Blue Jackets signed Tarasov to a three-year entry-level contract, and he was loaned to Ässät in the Finnish Liiga for the 2019–20 season, where he played 41 games. The following season was disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, forcing him to split time between Salavat Yulaev in the KHL and the Blue Jackets’ AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters. He made his North American professional debut on 3 April 2021 in a 4–2 win over the Grand Rapids Griffins, and he also missed time during the 2021–22 season after testing positive for COVID-19.
NHL Breakthrough with the Columbus Blue Jackets (2021–2025)
Tarasov entered the 2021–22 season as the Monsters’ starting goaltender before being called up to the NHL. On 2 December 2021, he made his NHL debut on an emergency basis, making 34 saves in a 3–2 loss to the Dallas Stars. The moment marked the arrival of a young goaltender the Blue Jackets had been patiently developing.
He earned his first NHL win on 23 October 2022, stopping 30 shots in a 5–1 victory over the New York Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Tarasov spent the 2022–23 season splitting time between Cleveland and Columbus, serving as a backup to Elvis Merzļikins and Joonas Korpisalo. On 20 November 2022, he produced a 47-save performance in a 5–3 win over the Florida Panthers, tying for the second-most saves by a Blue Jackets rookie goaltender in a single game and setting the season’s high mark for saves by an NHL rookie netminder.
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. The move gave him a fresh opportunity with a contending organization, where he is expected to add depth and competition to the Panthers’ goaltending group. His combination of size, athleticism, and prior NHL experience made him a logical target for a team with championship ambitions.
Driving Style and Strengths
Tarasov is recognized for his calm positional play, efficient movement, and ability to track the puck through traffic. His 196 cm frame allows him to cover the upper portion of the net effectively, and he has shown a strong ability to rebound from difficult games. He has cited Andrei Vasilevskiy, Sergei Bobrovsky, and Carey Price as his favorite goaltenders, and he began learning English after being drafted by the Blue Jackets.
Notable Events and Milestones
His first NHL win at Madison Square Garden and his 47-save performance against the Florida Panthers stand as signature early-career moments. His selection as a top-three player for Russia at the 2016 IIHF World U18 Championships and his bronze medal at the 2019 World Juniors further highlight a résumé built on competitive success at every level.
Daniil Tarasov Career Wins
Across the MHL, VHL, KHL, Liiga, AHL, and NHL, Tarasov has collected a series of verified victories and shutouts that have marked his steady rise. His first professional shutout came in January 2019, his first KHL shutout arrived in February 2019, and his first NHL win came in October 2022. Each step has reinforced his standing as a dependable goaltender in high-pressure situations.
Junior and Early Professional Highlights
In the MHL with Tolpar Ufa, Tarasov posted a 1.85 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage across 40 games after returning from surgery, a stretch that established him as a top prospect. With Toros Neftekamsk, he played 25 games with a 1.71 goals-against average and a .928 save percentage, earned Best Rookie honors in the VHL, and helped his team reach the 2019 Petrov Cup semi-finals. In Liiga with Ässät, he played 41 games during the 2019–20 season, gaining valuable experience in a new league.
Other Wins and Performances
He won a bronze medal with Russia at the 2019 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships and also represented his country at the 2019 Deutschland Cup. In North America, his 47-save game against the Florida Panthers in November 2022 remains one of the most striking individual performances of his early NHL career.
Daniil Tarasov Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Hockey runs deep in Tarasov’s family. His father, Vadim, was a professional goaltender who was drafted 196th overall by the Montreal Canadiens in the 1999 NHL Entry Draft and went on to play 17 seasons in the Russian Superleague and KHL. Vadim is currently a goaltending coach for Sibir Novosibirsk, continuing a long involvement in the sport.
Personal Life
Tarasov is married. After being drafted by the Blue Jackets, he committed to learning English, a step that helped him transition smoothly into the North American game and life off the ice.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 calendar year has been transformative for Tarasov. After spending the first half of the year continuing his development with the Cleveland Monsters, he was traded to the Florida Panthers on 26 June 2025 for a fifth-round pick in the 2025 NHL draft. The deal provided him with a new organizational home and a chance to compete alongside established goaltenders in a Stanley Cup-caliber environment.
Heading into the new campaign with Florida, Tarasov brings NHL experience and a track record of resilient performances. His prior success against the Panthers, including the 47-save win in November 2022, underscores his comfort level when facing high-end opposition. The Panthers’ goaltending group now adds a young, technically sound option capable of stepping into larger roles as the season unfolds.
For Tarasov, the 2025 season represents both a fresh start and a validation of the long path he has traveled from Novokuznetsk to the NHL. With a strong support system, a clear technical foundation, and a contending team, he is positioned to expand his role and contribute meaningfully to the Panthers’ pursuit of postseason success.