Thanks to everyone who voted for this year’s Top 25 Under 25 ranking. We had 102 submissions from Columbus Blue Jackets fans. We’ll be counting down the 25 highest voted players over the next few weeks. Up next: Daniil Tarasov
#8: Daniil Tarasov
Voting
8th out of 38 eligible players
Writer Rank: 6th
Reader Rank: 12th
Highest placement: 3rd (2 votes)
Most common placement: 5th (10 votes)
2019 rank: 12
Biography
Birthdate: March 27, 1999
Birthplace: Novokuznetsk, RUS
Height: 6’5”
Weight: 185 lbs
Position: Goaltender
Catches: Left
Acquired: 2017 NHL Draft Round #3, #86 overall pick by Columbus Blue Jackets
2020-21 Season Review
Daniil Tarasov spent his 2020-21 season split three ways: on loan to Salavat Yulaev Ufa (KHL) for 16 games, where he carried a .925 save percentage; on loan to Toros Neftekamsk (VHL) for 5 games, where he carried a .909 save percentage; and finally, he made his debut with the Cleveland Monsters (AHL), where he played 6 games and carried a .896 save percentage. Across all 27 games, his WLT record was 18-6-3 – I like the sound of all those numbers! His debut with the Monsters was a great way for him to get his feet wet in an American league and test his skills against different (non-Russian) teams.
2021-22 Season Outlook
Tarasov will most likely start his 2021-22 season with the Cleveland Monsters, developing his goaltending skills just up I-71 from the Blue Jackets. I would not be surprised if he sees some games with the Blue Jackets later this season after he has some more experience with the Monsters under his belt – while the Jackets noodle over what they want to do with Korpisalo and Merzlikins, Tarasov is in the wings, ready to step up when he’s called.