Report: Panthers, Oilers among teams interested in Tarasenko

A handful of Stanley Cup hopefuls are inquiring about Ottawa Senators winger Vladimir Tarasenko.

The Florida Panthers, Boston Bruins, Carolina Hurricanes, New York Rangers, Vegas Golden Knights, and Edmonton Oilers have kicked tires on the pending unrestricted free agent, reports the Ottawa Sun's Bruce Garrioch.

Ottawa is reportedly seeking a second-round pick and a prospect in return for Tarasenko's services.

The Russian has control over his situation due to his no-trade clause. He carries a cap hit of $5 million. The Panthers, in particular, are high up on Tarasenko's list of preferred destinations, a source told Garrioch.

The 32-year-old ranks fourth on the Senators with 17 goals this season and fifth with 41 points in 57 games. Tarasenko said in mid-February that he was enjoying his time in Ottawa and was looking "at all options."

The Senators are currently in last place in the Atlantic Division with a 25-31-3 record and own a ghastly 0.2% odds of making the playoffs, according to MoneyPuck.

Tarasenko was traded for the first time in his career last season when the St. Louis Blues sent him to the Rangers a month before the deadline. New York is in need of a top-six right winger following a leg injury to Blake Wheeler. Tarasenko put up eight goals and 21 points in 31 regular-season contests in the Big Apple.

The Golden Knights similarly have a hole in their forward group due to the absence of captain Mark Stone.

Tarasenko won the Stanley Cup as a member of the Blues in 2019. He's racked up 287 goals and 615 points in 732 career NHL games, as well as 64 points in 97 playoff contests.

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