One day after being traded from the Ottawa Senators to the Florida Panthers, veteran winger Vladimir Tarasenko is confirming they were the only team he was willing to waive his no-trade clause for.
Speaking to reporters after his first practice with the team, Tarasenko said that Florida was "the only place" he was thinking about.
The 32-year-old practised on the first line Thursday with Sam Reinhart and Aleksander Barkov.
In exchange for Tarasenko, the Senators received a conditional 2024 fourth-round pick and 2025 third-round pick — a return many considered underwhelming. The 2024 pick they received upgrades to a third-round pick in 2026 if the Panthers end up winning the Stanley Cup.
Additionally, the Senators retained 50 per cent of his salary in the deal.
Tarasenko recorded 41 points (17 goals and 24 assists) over 57 games with Ottawa.
The defending Eastern Conference-champion Panthers sit first place in the league with 90 points.
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