The Florida Panthers have locked in next season's likely backup goalie.
Daniil Tarasov has signed a one-year, $1.05-million contract with the reigning Stanley Cup champions, the team announced Tuesday.
The Panthers acquired Tarasov from the Columbus Blue Jackets for a fifth-round pick during last week's draft.
Tarasov started 19 games for the Blue Jackets last season, posting a 7-10-2 record with an .881 save percentage and 3.54 goals-against average. The 26-year-old Russian was set to become a restricted free agent, and the Panthers could have tendered a qualifying offer worth $1.26 million.
Starter Sergei Bobrovsky, 36, is entering the final year of his seven-year, $70-million deal.
Vitek Vanecek, who was Bobrovsky's backup last season, is set to hit unrestricted free agency.
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