Sergei Bobrovsky reportedly wanted to remain a Florida Panther but their contract offers were more so a disrespectful showing to the goalie that won them two Cups.
When Bobrovsky signed with the Toronto Maple Leafs this past offseason, it was a bit of a shock considering that all signs pointed to him at least coming back for one more season with the Panthers, but he instead never got the offer he expected from them - and it led to him moving on.
However we have a bit more insight into Bobrovsky's contract negotations in Florida, and it shows they certainly didn't want to give him what he was hoping they would.
Bobrovsky's tenure with Florida ended not over money but security
Daria Tuboltseva of RG added some more information that was obtained by a source close to the Panthers:
A source close to the situation told RG that Bobrovsky, 37, hoped until the last moment to stay in Florida and was ready to take a significant pay cut for the club. The Panthers first offered him a one-year, $4 million deal. They later improved it to two years at $6 million per season, similar to Jacob Markström's contract.
Bobrovsky was fine with the money but wanted a full no-trade clause included. Florida general manager Bill Zito wouldn't agree to that and was only willing to offer a partial no-trade clause.
It brings into new light the situation prior to Bobrovsky signing, as he was more concerned with being protected and unable to be dealt away to an undesirable destination should an offer present itself.
Zito offering only partial protection was security for Florida in case they needed to trade Bobrovsky, giving them a bit more flexibility for a future deal and once talks with Bobrovsky broke down, Florida moved in another direction and later acquired Jacob Markstrom from New Jersey to replace him - even though he had a down season, Bobrovsky was also key in bringing Florida back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025
Toronto then swooped in and signed Bobrovsky to a three-year, $21M contract with a $7M AAV with a full no-movement clause, giving him not only more money but the security he needs.
Bobrovsky has to prove that Toronto's gamble was a calculated risk, not a desperate measure
Considering he is coming off some of the worst statistical numbers of his career, it's understandable why Zito may have wanted a bit more flexibility. But one down season doesn't mean that Bobrovsky is automatically a failed bet.
Toronto's gamble on Bobrovsky relies heavily on his ability to bounce back and be a true starter - taking the bulk of the workload to give Anthony Stolarz some respite. But they are also gambling on him being motivated to show the Panthers why it was a bad idea to give up on him despite his age or production concerns.
Praised for his work ethic and ability to stay physically fit even as he gets older, Bobrovsky's age doesn't correlate to his ability, and he can very easily be that reliable starter Toronto's needed for years.
He has to make John Chayka's decision to sign him look like something that was carefully planned out, with pros and cons being weighed heavily with the hope that one bad year doesn't reflect on what Bobrovsky has and can still accomplish. That means he needs to stay healthy, stay elite, and be the same playoff goalie who haunted Toronto and the NHL for years.
It's not going to be easy, but a lot of his ability also comes from who is in front of him, and the Maple Leafs can't gamble on Bobrovsky bailing them out more than he needs to. Otherwise, this may look like a signing that was made out of desperation with an overpayment in a thin goalie market without understanding the potential consequences.
Was Sergei Bobrovsky a good or bad signing decision for the Maple Leafs?
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