Daniil Tarasov

June 2025 – The Columbus Blue Jackets and Tarasov have begun contract negotiations on a new deal; Tarasov’s three-year, $3.15 million contract concluded at the end of the 2024-25 season. In four seasons in the NHL, he has only had 19 wins in 62 appearances with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Should Tarasov and the Blue Jackets not agree on a new contract, Tarasov is a candidate to be non-tendered this off-season.

During the 2024-25 campaign, Tarasov lost his backup job to Jet Greaves, and with Elvis Merzlikins and Jet Greaves signed for the 2025-26 season, Tarasov might have to settle for a one-year prove-it deal and then prove he can stay in the NHL. Tarasov could be one season away from heading back to the KHL if things do not improve. Mark Henry

June 2022 – The Blue Jackets have signed Tarasov to a three-year contract extension through the 2024-25 season. Tarasov appeared in four NHL games this season, posting a 2.40 GAA and a .937 save percentage. He also played in 11 games with the Cleveland Monsters of the AHL, posting a 3.06 GAA and a .893 save percentage, with a 5-3-4 overall record. The 23-year-old Russian netminder will look to solidify the goaltending depth in the Columbus system next season. Clare McManus

May 2021 – Tarasov came over at the end of March 2021, from Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the KHL after his season concluded. He has only played one AHL game as he dealt with quarantining and visa issues. Tarasov is the new prize of the Jackets system, and it should not be long until he is challenging for the #1 spot in the NHL. Pat Quinn

September 2020 – The young Russian netminder has been loaned to Salavat Yulaev Ufa of the KHL. Although he likely spends his tenure serving as a backup, this allows him to practice and potentially play against top competition before making the jump to the North American pro-level. Dave Hall

August 2020 – The 19-year-old netminder completed his first full pro season with Porin Assat (Liiga) and showcased many indicators for being one of the top goaltending prospects around. He started in 41 games, which almost doubled that of the next rookie goaltender, posting a respectable 11-9-17 record. His 2.72 goals-against sat sixth among all goaltenders to start in 35 games or more, and also collected a shutout to boot. The 6-foot-5 netminder could make the jump to the AHL as early next season, in which case he will undoubtedly need a year or two to find his footing on American soil. Owners are still a few seasons out from collecting profits on their investment here. Yet, when he is ready to make the jump, there is potential to be a star. Dave Hall

December 2019 – The Russian goaltender’s play has turned a corner in recent games following a disappointing start to his first pro season. Since the beginning of November, the 20-year-old backstop has gone 2-2-2, allowing two goals or fewer in all games but one. He now sports a 2.51 GAA with a .907 save percentage to go with his 4-2-9 record. These latest numbers are precisely what the Jackets were expecting when they drafted him 86^th overall in the 2017 draft. CBJ fans can expect him to make the move over to North America as early as next season. However, it could take him a season or two before seeing any NHL action. The 6’5 goaltender shows a high level of athleticism and ticks off all the boxes to carry a high ceiling in regards to his potential. Dave Hall

November 2019 – It has been a start to forget for the Russian in his first full season as a professional goaltender. Playing on loan for Porin Assat in Finland’s top league (Liiga), Tarasov’s number is not one that he’s used to. He is 2-7-0 through 10 starts, and has posted a 2.84 goals against along with a .882 save percentage. At just 20 years of age, it is not time to hit the panic button, considering he has been lights out at each level he has played. The third-rounder is still touted as one of the top goalie prospects out there and should bounce back from this poor start. Look out for him early this month as he will suit up for his country in this year’s Germany Cup. Dave Hall    

May 2019 – Tarasov has signed a three-year entry-level contract with the Blue Jackets. He lacks professional experience, so do not expect to see him with the Blue Jackets this fall. With this news, he could debut in the AHL with Cleveland or be loaned to the KHL. Both destinations will serve him well and accelerate his development. Frank Pellegrini

December 2018 – Tarasov has been named to the preliminary roster for Russia in the 2018-2019 IIHF World Junior Championship (WJC) in British Columbia, Canada. Having posted substantial numbers to date, he should be the favourite to start in goal for the Russians. Frank Pellegrini

November 2018 – Tarasov is considered one of the top goalie prospects in Russian hockey. He was not at the development camp this past summer as he was recovering from surgery. The injury caused him to slip to the Blue Jackets in the third round of the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. This season, Tarasov has played in 13 games for Toros Neftekamsk and three games for the Russian Selects Under 20 team. He will need at least a couple of years of KHL or AHL play to determine his NHL upside. He is in the last year of his contract with his current club. With that, he will need to sign an agreement with the Blue Jackets if he is to make his way to North America next season. Frank Pellegrini

December 2017 – Tarasov continues his solid run in the MHL with a 2.07 goals against average, placing him in the top ten among qualifiers, and sporting a respectable .914 save percentage while tending net in 22 of Tolpar Ufa’s 30 contests. Kevin Wickersham

October 2017 – Thus far, Tarasov has emerged from the tumor scare that kept him away from the game all last year to forge an impressive MHL start with Tolpar Ufa, including the 33-team league’s fourth-best goals-against average at 1.81 and seventh-best .918 save percentage. Columbus will continue to monitor their recent third-round selection from afar and look to bring him overseas a few years down the road. Kevin Wickersham

July 2017 – Tarasov emerged from 2015-16 as one of the world’s top goalie prospects, yet dropped in the rankings due to a tumor in his shin, the recovery of which forced him to miss 2016-17. He’s a tall, lanky native of Novokuznetsk, as is Jackets’ top goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, who ironically grew up idolizing Tarasov’s father Vadim, a ten-year staple in the net for Metallurg Novokuznetsk and a 1999 Habs’ seventh-round selection. Bobrovsky has been instrumental in portraying NHL life (particularly regarding Columbus) for the younger Tarasov. Daniil was incredibly impressed with a 2.11 GAA and .921 save percentage for Team Russia in the 2016 World Junior Championships and with Tolpar Ufa of the Maritime Hockey League, Russia’s juniors, sporting a .918 regular campaign save percentage and a postseason 1.56 goals-against with a .933 SV%. He’s a few years away from potentially jumping to North America, but he can use the time to get back on game ice and perhaps add bulk. Kevin Wickersham