A Red Wings goalie was moved on Friday - at least on paper.
Detroit netminder Daniil Tarasov had his KHL rights acquired by SKA St. Petersburg, with veteran forward Joseph Blandisi going the other way in the Russian league deal. Tarasov isn’t headed anywhere right now, but his name is now attached to a club coached by former Red Wings Russian Five star and Hockey Hall of Famer Igor Larionov.
The Red Wings signed Tarasov this summer as an unrestricted free agent, locking him in on a one-year deal with a $2 million AAV. The 27-year-old spent last season with the Florida Panthers, where he made 31 appearances and went 13-15-3 with a 3.05 goals-against average and a .895 save percentage.
Before that, Tarasov spent four NHL seasons with the Columbus Blue Jackets. Across his five NHL seasons, the numbers have stayed shaky: he hasn’t finished with a GAA under 3.00 since his 2021-22 rookie year, when he posted a 2.40, and only once in the last four seasons has his save percentage climbed above .900. His career NHL line sits at a 3.30 GAA and .897 save percentage.
That’s the backdrop to the KHL move. If Tarasov doesn’t deliver in Detroit this season, the odds of another Red Wings contract look slim, especially with prospects Michal Postava and Trey Augustine waiting in the wings.
If his NHL path bends elsewhere, SKA St. Petersburg could be the landing spot as soon as next season.
Blandisi, 32, has been with SKA since 2025. In the 2025/26 season, the Canadian played 62 games in the KHL Championship and totaled 29 points, scoring 12 goals and adding 17 assists.
He also scored two goals in four games in the Gagarin Cup. It was his first KHL season.
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