Overview
- Tarasenko is still an unsigned unrestricted free agent as the 2026-27 NHL season begins despite a 23-goal season with Minnesota last year.
- Multiple reports on Thursday said Tarasenko and agent Dan Milstein split late in the summer, and it is unclear whether he has new representation.
- Pierre LeBrun reported the Panthers made a limited offer in early July that Tarasenko declined because Florida had roughly $850,000 of usable cap space at the time.
- Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman and other outlets say Florida would consider signing Tarasenko only if Brad Marchand faces an extended absence, but the team’s apparent $3.1 million of cap room is largely tied to Aleksander Barkov on LTIR and may not be sustainable.
- Tarasenko has been training in Florida with free agent Patrik Laine and Alexander Nikishin, and his age, recent form and late timing in the market make a short-term, low-cost deal the most likely outcome.