Bruins rival trades for Stanley Cup champion forward (report)
The NHL trade deadline is Friday and one Boston Bruins rival bolstered their lineup by acquiring a Stanley Cup champion forward.
The Florida Panthers traded for Vladimir Tarasenko and sent draft picks to the Ottawa Senators, TSN’s Darren Dreger reported Wednesday. The Panthers sent a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2024 and a third-round pick in 2025 to Ottawa. The 2024 pick will become a third-round pick in 2026 if the Panthers win the Stanley Cup this season.
The Athletic’s Pierre LeBrun added to the report, noting Ottawa will retain 50% of Tarasenko’s $5 million salary. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent at the end of this season.
Tarasenko, who won a Stanley Cup with the St. Louis Blues against the Bruins in 2019, preferred Florida as a destination in order to be closer to his family, per Postmedia’s Bruce Garrioch. This is also the second time the 32-year-old has been traded in as many seasons.
Tarasenko adds to an already-strong Panthers lineup and is a legitimate offensive threat with 41 points in 57 games this season plus 97 games of Stanley Cup Playoffs experience.
As of Wednesday, the Panthers remain ahead of the Bruins in the Atlantic Division standings by three points after their win Tuesday and the Bruins’ loss to the Edmonton Oilers.
Florida is looking to make another lengthy Stanley Cup run after beating the Bruins in Game 7 in the first round, eventually making it to the Cup Final. The Panthers ultimately fell to the Vegas Golden Knights, giving ex-Bruins coach Bruce Cassidy his first Stanley Cup.
