Tarasenko dealt to Florida

Vladimir Tarasenko’s stay in Ottawa with the Senators was a short one.

The Stanley Cup winning winger was dealt to the Florida Panthers on Wednesday morning for a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2024 and a third-round pick in 2025. That 2024 pick will be upgraded to a third rounder if Florida goes on to win the Stanley Cup this season.

Tarasenko – who won his Cup with St. Louis in 2019 – leaves after signing a free-agent deal with the Senators just this past summer.  The deal was for one year and worth $5 million US.

The 32 year old was one of Ottawa’s more dependable skaters during a season that went south early. The Senators have been out of playoff contention since Christmas.

In his 57 games in Ottawa, Tarasenko scored 17 goals and added 24 assists.

The trade was the first significant move by incoming general manager Steve Staios. Staios is expected to receive further calls before Friday’s trade deadline on several of his veterans, including defenceman Erik Brannstrom, forward Mark Kastelic and – the big fish – defender Jakob Chychrun.

Ottawa will play in Anaheim Wednesday night and face a quick turnaround when they tackle the Los Angeles Kings on Thursday.

OTTAWA SENATORS WEEK AHEAD:

Wednesday, March 6: Ottawa at Anaheim (10 pm)

Thursday, March 7: Ottawa at LA (10:30 pm)

Saturday, March 9: Ottawa at San Jose (7 pm)

Tuesday, March 12: Pittsburgh at Ottawa (7 pm)

thegrossgame@yahoo.com