Daniil Tarasov excited to learn from ‘The Bob’ as backup Florida Panthers goalie

Sergei Bobrovsky could only smile at the Florida Panthers’ media day ahead of training camp when the discussion centered on his goaltending partner for the season.

There’s some pretty interesting history between him and Daniil Tarasov, who the Panthers acquired via a trade with the Columbus Blue Jackets this offseason.

They’re from the same hometown of Novokuznetsk, Russia — a mining town with a population of about 550,000. Tarasov, 11 years Bobrovsky’s junior, grew up idolizing the Panthers’ starter and now two-time Stanley Cup champion. Bobrovsky grew up idolizing Tarasov’s father Vadim Tarasov, who was the goalie for Metallurg Novokuznetsk in the Russian SuperLeague when Bobrovsky was young.

Now, they form the goaltending tandem for a Panthers team eying a third consecutive championship, something that hasn’t been done in the NHL since the New York Islanders’ run of four in a row from 1980-1983.

“It’s a unique situation,” Bobrovsky said. “I am looking forward to building our relationship. … The group knows the story with me and him, but we need to build a good working relationship. That’s so important.”

Bobrovsky has a track record of building a solid rapport with his backups — and Panthers backup goaltenders have a track record as of late of coming to the team and flourishing despite being either unproven or having inconsistent careers to that point.

That’s sets things up well for Tarasov, who like the Panthers is optimistic can take the next step in his game after an up-and-down tenure with the Blue Jackets.

“It is a huge honor and a huge opportunity,’’ Tarasov said. “I was super excited when I was traded, got the call from Bill [Zito, the Panthers’ president of hockey operations] and especially from ‘The Bob.’ It was a huge welcome, they said it was great to see me here as a Panther.”

Tarasov’s career numbers at the NHL level are shaky. He has a career 3.44 goals against average and .898 save percentage over 65 games (61 starts) spanning four seasons.

But the 26-year-old netminder and former third-round pick in the 2017 NHL Draft has plenty of traits that the Panthers covet, notably his size (6-5, 203 pounds) and ability to move in the net.

Tarasov’s first real glimpse of what he can provide the Panthers was on display in their preseason game against the Carolina Hurricanes on Wednesday. He stopped 47 of 49 shots against a Hurricanes lineup filled with regulars to allow a prospects-laden Panthers team to rally to a 4-2 win in Raleigh.

“He was fantastic, and that’s a great thing for him,” Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “It builds confidence. All the guys back home will know about this performance. It’s good for him.”

What’s also good for him is having the chance to work with Bobrovsky. Tarasov has looked up to the two-time Vezina Trophy winner ever since he was 4 or 5 years old and saw Bobrovsky playing at the junior level.

They missed crossing paths at the NHL level in Columbus by three seasons.

“It’s something special to see this guy in real life,” Tarasov said. “His work ethic, his personality, how he’s treating the guys, how he’s treating himself. It’s huge.”

So, too, is Tarasov’s opportunity. In addition to simply having the chance to work with Bobrovsky, whose routine is stuff of legends and is seemingly getting better as the years go on, the Panthers’ recent history with backup goaltenders reviving or kickstarting their careers has been well documented.

Sam Montembeault went from being a Florida backup his first two NHL seasons to being a starter the past four years for the Montreal Canadiens.

Chris Dreidger turned two years as the Panthers’ backup into being the Seattle Kraken’s expansion draft selection and getting an opportunity for extended playing time there before injuries set him back.

Alex Lyon turned his 2023 season with the Panthers, which included winning six consecutive games down the stretch to get Florida into the Stanley Cup playoffs for what became their first of three consecutive runs to the Stanley Cup Final, into two years as a starter in Detroit.

Anthony Stolarz turned his 2024 season with Florida into a two-year deal with the Toronto Maple Leafs, where he has entrenched himself as their starter and could potentially get a contract extension.

And Spencer Knight, Florida’s first-round pick in 2019, was solid as Florida’s backup last season before being dealt to the Chicago Blackhawks at the trade deadline for defenseman Seth Jones. Knight recently signed a three-year extension with Chicago that keeps him under contract through the 2028-29 season.

Now, it’s Tarasov’s turn.

“I think it’s wonderful. I think it’s great for Tarasov to be able to come in, and this is obviously somebody he goes way back with,’’ said Zito, who was an assistant general manager with the Blue Jackets when they drafted Tarasov. “It’s not just the goalies that Bob inspires and helps and tutors, if you will. It’s how he goes about his business, how he is as a human, how he treats others, his work ethic, obviously. His effect, while obviously could be special on a young goalie, it transcends that, and it helps everybody. He’s a wonderful player to have in the room because it’s just somebody else to help you get better.”

Added Maurice: “It’s a great story in the room and there’s a hometown friend, where Sergei’s kind of a mentor in his life,’’ Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. “The idea he can pass along some of this to someone he has a clear understanding of where he comes from is going to great. There is open lines of communication between the two which means the young man is going to get a great tutor.’’

Daniil Tarasov excited to learn from ‘The Bob’ as backup Florida Panthers goalie

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