The Florida Panthers are officially moving on from Sergei Bobrovsky as they are working on a deal to bring in Jacob Markstrom from the New Jersey Devils.
Tuesday's been fairly quiet despite the NHL's free agency period kicking off in less than 24 hours but the Florida Panthers are keeping as busy as ever. First they acquired goaltender Akira Schmid from the Vegas Golden Knights to give themselves a solid backup plan, and now they're getting their new veteran crease commander.
Florida and New Jersey working on a deal to bring Jacob Markstrom into the Sunshine State
Per Elliotte Friedman, the Panthers are looking to make a deal with the New Jersey Devils that will send forward Evan Rodrigues to the Garden State in exchange for goaltender Jacob Markstrom:
-
Pierre LeBrun later confirmed the deal is going to be a go, with him relaying that New Jersey is not retaining any money on Markstrom and that Florida is responsible for his extension when it kicks in next season:
-
The trade certainly had a lot more pieces to it as well. Florida also acquired Angus Crookshank while sending the Devils Jesper Boqvist (RFA) and Ben Steeves.
-
Markstrom, 36, went 23-19-1 with the Devils last season along with a 3.07 GAA and .883 SV% meanwhile Rodrigues, 32, had 31 points in 69 games with the Panthers last season but was a crucial part of both the team's Stanley Cup wins in 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Markstrom is owed $6-million for the next two seasons meanwhile Rodrigues is owed $3.075-million this season and is a free agent in 2027.
Every goalie that moves shrinks the market for the Maple Leafs
While Florida is figuring out their goaltending, the Maple Leafs are now likely going to shift gears to one person, and that's Florida's old goalie Sergei Bobrovsky. He's been linked to the Maple Leafs for a few weeks and with the Panthers definitively moving on, he's a free agent on July 1.
He's going to be asking for a lot come free agency but honestly, if he is able to shore up the goaltending in Toronto and form that Stanley Cup-winning duo once again with Anthony Stolarz then it's a huge win.
Bobrovsky is more than capable of handling the lion's share of starts and Stolarz's health won't be an issue if he only has to play in 20-25 games. It's half of what's expected previously and there's little doubt he can give Toronto that help.
If not, they have Artur Akhtyamov and Dennis Hildeby to take over, but what happens if they strike out on Bobrovsky?
They could go for a cheaper option to backup Stolarz or have a trio of rotating starters. Matt Murray returning would be a good call as he's proven to be capable of handling more than emergency starts, and has prior success in Toronto.
David Rittich is a name who often finds himself in a solid backup position, and he's only 33 and may only cost a couple million to bring in. Oddly, the team could also bring back Samuel Ersson after trading him to Ottawa - the Senators didn't qualify him.
One name that could end up finding a new home is Stuart Skinner, and while he would make a decent option for the regular season, his playoff record leaves a lot to be desired.
The Maple Leafs have their options even with Markstrom headed to the Panthers. It opens the door for them to sign Bobrovsky and really set things in motion. From all signs so far, it's pointing to the two parties coming together on July 1.
Do you think this trade is a win or a loss for the Florida Panthers?
Also read on Hockey Patrol :
Montreal just gave the Maple Leafs the blueprint to trade Max Domi