Tarasenko was traded to the Panthers by the Senators in exchange for two draft picks

Tarasenko signed a one-year, $5 million contract with the Senators, in which he will retain 50 percent of his salary, on July 27 and could become an unrestricted free agent after the season. The 32-year-old forward has 41 points (17 goals, 24 assists) in 57 games this season and joins a team that already boasts seven double-digit scorers, led by Sam Reinhart (45), Carter Verhaeghe (30) and Carter Verhaeghe (30). Matthew Tkachuk (21).

“I don't think about it,” Tarasenko said on February 12 regarding trade speculation. “I think about tomorrow's game, I think about things today. You know, if you focus too much on the past and the future, you lose the present, you lose the excitement, you get nervous every time. Maybe I think about that sometimes, yes, but mostly we try to adjust Things to do and prepare for the upcoming matches.”

Florida (43-16-4) leads the league with 90 points and has won six straight games as part of a 16-2-0 streak since Jan. 22. The Panthers host the Philadelphia Flyers on Thursday (7 p.m. ET; BSFL). , NBCSB).

Tarasenko will try to help the Panthers reach the Stanley Cup Final for the second straight season after their five-game loss to the Vegas Golden Knights last season, when they advanced to the Final after entering the Stanley Cup Playoffs as the second wild card from the Eastern Conference.

“Vladimir is a highly skilled winger with significant scoring experience who provides our club with another dynamic offensive option as we begin the remainder of our season,” Panthers general manager Bill Zito said. “We are excited to have him join our team and compete for the Stanley Cup again.”

Selected by the St. Louis Blues in the first round (No. 16) of the 2010 NHL Draft, Tarasenko has 615 points (287 goals, 328 assists) in 732 regular season games for the Senators, New York Rangers and Blues and 64 points (44 goals, 20 assists decisive) in 97 Stanley Cup Playoff games.

Tarasenko won the Stanley Cup with the Blues in 2019.

NHL.com freelance reporter Callum Fraser contributed to this report