Detroit Red Wings
· 2026-07-03
The Detroit Red Wings signed Daniil Tarasov to a one-year, $2 million deal on July 1, adding a veteran backup goalie to their roster.
The 27-year-old Tarasov has played 98 career NHL games, posting a 3.30 goals-against average and .897 save percentage.
He appeared in 33 games last season for the Florida Panthers, with a 3.05 GAA and .895 save percentage.
The Wings needed a veteran goaltender to potentially serve as John Gibson's backup, as Cam Talbot's two-year stay came to an end this summer.
Tarasov's signing is significant, given the Wings' current standing: 10th in the Eastern Conference with a 41-31 record, on a L3 streak.
The team has good goaltending depth in the minors, headlined by Michal Postava and Trey Augustine, but neither has played in the NHL.
The Wings also signed free-agent forward Viktor Arvidsson, a hard-nosed winger who likes to go to the net, on the same day.
Postava, a 24-year-old free agent signee from last summer, outplayed Sebastian Cossa down the stretch to take the No. 1 job in Grand Rapids.
He is expected to get a chance to show if he can play in the NHL next season, although the audition will be short with only four exhibition games.
The Wings' moves in free agency aim to strengthen their roster, and Tarasov's experience will be valuable in the upcoming season.
As reported by Helene St. James, the Wings' fans can expect to see Tarasov in action soon, potentially as Gibson's backup.
The team's focus on bolstering their goaltending depth is a key aspect of their offseason strategy, and Tarasov's signing is a significant step in that direction.