During the 2026 NHL Draft, the Detroit Red Wings traded prospect goaltender Sebastian Cossa to the Utah Mammoth, bringing an end to speculation that he could eventually be their goaltender of the future.
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This, combined with veteran Cam Talbot not being re-signed, meant there was an opening behind John Gibson for the backup position. The Red Wings filled that void by signing Daniil Tarasov to a one-year contract after he played last season with the divisional rival Florida Panthers.
But in an interesting development, Tarasov’s KHL rights were recently traded back in his native homeland. Salavat Yulaev, his former club that he played for in 2020-21, traded his rights to SKA St. Petersburg in return for Joe Blandisi.
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However, this won’t affect Tarasov’s standing in the NHL with the Red Wings, who are paying him $2 million for the upcoming season.
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Whether or not Tarasov is eventually re-signed by the Red Wings, signs elsewhere in the NHL, or returns to the KHL following the 2025-26 campaign remains to be seen.
Red Wings Add Goaltending Depth, Sign Daniil Tarasov
The Columbus Blue Jackets selected Tarasov with the 86th overall pick in the 2017 NHL Draft, and he eventually made his debut in 2021-22.
Following several seasons in the Blue Jackets organization, he was signed last offseason by the Florida Panthers to a one-year contract.
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He owns a 32-49-9 record with a 3.30 goals-against average and a .897 save percentage with one shutout in the NHL. Conversely, he’s gone 11-4-3 with a 2.13 goals-against average, a .924 save percentage, and two shutouts in KHL action.
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