NHL trade grades: Panthers get trade deadline win by adding Vladimir Tarasenko at bargain price

The league-leading Panthers already scored a trade deadline victory by adding Tarasenko for next to nothing

By Austin Nivison Mar 6, 2024 at 2:15 pm ET• 3 min read

The Florida Panthers are on a mission this season, and they made their elite roster even better by adding Vladimir Tarasenko from the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday. Unfortunately for Ottawa, the Panthers were able to get him for a surprisingly cheap price.

Tarasenko brings 17 goals with him down to Florida, making an already imposing lineup even more formidable as the playoffs approach. Tarasenko should be a nice fit for the Panthers on the wing, and that upgrade cost them next to nothing.

Meanwhile, the Senators needed to unload Tarasenko before the deadline to recoup some assets for a pending unrestricted free agent. The circumstances of the deal worked against Ottawa and produced an underwhelming return for a skilled player.

Let's break out our red pens and hand out some grades on the Panthers' acquisition of Tarasenko.