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How the Panthers' Decision Led to the Maple Leafs Signing Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky
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- How the Panthers' Decision Led to the Maple Leafs Signing Goalie Sergei Bobrovsky
Sergei Bobrovsky gave the Toronto Maple Leafs the biggest move of their free agency.
Toronto signed the veteran goaltender to a three-year, $21 million contract after he spent the past seven seasons with the Florida Panthers .
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Bobrovsky helped Florida win back-to-back Stanley Cups in 2024 and 2025, but he entered free agency after the worst statistical season of his career. The 37-year-old posted a 27-23-1 record with a 3.07 goals-against average and a .877 save percentage last season.
The Panthers traded for fellow goalie Jacob Markstrom at the start of the offseason, with the former New Jersey Devils netminder having two years remaining in his deal at $6 million annually, and hinted at the end of Bobrovsky's tenure in Florida.
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) skates between plays against the Carolina Hurricanes.James Guillory-Imagn Images
Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman revealed on Monday's episode of the "32 Thoughts" podcast that Bobrovsky asked Florida for the same contract he eventually received from the Maple Leafs, confirming that the Panthers passed on the chance of signing the goalie to his current deal.
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"I heard that was his last ask of Florida, and Florida was not willing to go there," Friedman said. "I think he's a really motivated guy. I think he wants to prove there is a lot still there."
That confirmed a similar report from James Mirtle on "The JD Bunkis Podcast." Mirtle said on July 2 that the Panthers were not prepared to go beyond two years for Bobrovsky.
"I was told that Panthers aren't sure that Bobrovsky still has it," Mirtle said, "and certainly not committing term. The Panthers were not gonna go above two years for him, and I don't even know that they would have gotten to the dollar number that they're at. Goaltending is just really, really unpredictable."
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Given Friedman and Mirtle's remarks, the signing can be considered both a win and a question for the Maple Leafs.
While Toronto has landed a two-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time Vezina Trophy winner, Florida's refusal to meet the same price raises questions about how the Panthers viewed his potential decline.
Maple Leafs general manager John Chayka, for one, defended the move on July 1, calling Bobrovsky "a real game-changer" and citing his stability, consistency and durability.
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Bobrovsky, meanwhile, thought he would stay in Florida and was humble in admitting that the Leafs gave him a new chance, saying , "The Leafs put their trust in me."
Related: Elliotte Friedman Reveals Senators' Brady Tkachuk Concern Before Panthers Trade
Related: Capitals' Alex Ovechkin Addresses NHL Future After Delaying Retirement
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jul 8, 2026, where it first appeared in the NHL section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
