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Best Sergei Bobrovsky destinations if he leaves Panthers in 2026 NHL Free Agency
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Sergei Bobrovsky and the Florida Panthers missed the 2026 Stanley Cup Playoffs in disappointing fashion. The two-time defending Stanley Cup champions were ravaged by injuries well before the puck dropped for the season opener. Aleksander Barkov was lost for the season in September , and the injury issues only got worse from there.
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There are some intriguing changes on the horizon for the Panthers this summer. One of those potential changes could see Bobrovsky, the team's longtime goaltender, leaving the franchise. There is the potential for a retirement, as the 37-year-old did not have the greatest season by any measure.
At the same time, he could still have something left in the tank. The veteran netminder has played at a high level over the last few seasons. He has especially done well in the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where he owns a .912 save percentage in his last 75 playoff starts with Florida.
The Panthers could bring the veteran netminder back for another run at a Stanley Cup in 2027. However, there are teams out there who may give the future Hall of Famer a chance. Especially given how well he has played prior to the 2025-26 campaign.
Assuming he doesn't retire and doesn't return to Florida, here are two potential landing spots for veteran goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky in 2026 NHL Free Agency.
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Sharks had trade interest in Sergei Bobrovsky
Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
The Florida Panthers were well outside playoff contention when the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline came around. Florida had some players who could have worked as trade candidates. Bobrovsky's cap hit and movement protections made a trade involving him quite difficult. But this did not stop the rumor mill from churning.
Reports emerged around the deadline that the San Jose Sharks were interested in acquiring Bobrovsky in a trade. San Jose was in a playoff race in the Western Conference, and an upgrade in goaltending could have gotten them over the hump. However, a trade between the two teams never materialized.
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The Sharks could certainly return to the well now that the veteran goalie will be a free agent. Alex Nedeljkovic is signed for another season. But adding Bobrovsky would give young goaltender Yaroslav Askarov an experienced mentor who has done it all. More importantly, Bobrovsky's track record is stronger than Nedeljkovic's.
The Sharks will have a war chest to work with, having $41 million for the upcoming offseason. Macklin Celebrini 's big contract extension won't kick in until the 2027-28 campaign, either, so that won't cut into that $41 million. If Bobrovsky is interested, San Jose has the resources to bring the future Hall of Famer to California.
Oilers could be in on former Panthers nemesis
As mentioned, the Panthers are the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions. This will change shortly when a new champion is crowned next month. But more to the point, the team that lost both of those Finals to Florida was the Edmonton Oilers .
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The Oilers made the playoffs again in 2026, but their run did not last that long. In fact, Edmonton went out in the first round, losing in six games to the upstart Anaheim Ducks . Once again, goaltending was a focal point of their season, as their woes between the pipes continued to plague them.
It's hard to know what the Oilers will do with Tristan Jarry this summer. Jarry disappointed for Edmonton this year following a trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins . Even if he returns, Edmonton will need someone around him to help share the workload.
It would be an insane sight to see Bobrovsky in an Oilers jersey. At the same time, the future Hall of Famer could be what they need to get over the hump. Time is running out, as Connor McDavid can hit free agency in the near future. Perhaps Edmonton's recent postseason nemesis could be the key to bringing the Stanley Cup back north of the border.
Related: Best Patrick Kane destinations if he leaves Red Wings in 2026 NHL Free Agency
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