It’s a losing season for the Florida Panthers, who were looking for a three-peat and made NHL history. However, injuries to Aleksander Barkov, Dmitry Kulikov (now back on the roster), Tomas Nosek (back on the roster), Seth Jones, and others really disrupted their season. Not to mention Matthew Tkachuk missed a lot of time recovering from offseason surgery, and how healthy is he really?
Not to mention players like Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart, and Brad Marchand all together. It is believed and reported that Marchand needs some kind of surgery. However, people are silent on this. However, all of a sudden, things have started looking up for unrestricted free agent goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.
NHL Rumors: Florida Panthers, and Sergei Bobrovsky
It was a lock when all the other pending free agent signings from the class of 2026 won’t be on the market, and likely won’t be. However, GM Bill Zito and Bobrovsky are not on a new contract extension, which would be a salary cut from his current $10 million cap hit. It has made people talk about his future with the team.
A new report from Pierre LeBrun this morning says the Panthers are sellers after their loss to the New Jersey Devils on Tuesday night and will be listening to trade calls for UFAs AJ Greer and Sergei Bobrovsky. Florida was a seller long before Tuesday night. They knew it over the weekend, and Matthew Tkachuk knew the Panthers’ season was over a month ago when he told the media, “We’re in trouble.”
Zito and the Panthers should listen to Bobrovsky, but that doesn’t mean they will trade him. Remember, the Panthers have a protected top-10 pick in 2026. Sure, they could get him an asset and re-sign him in the offseason, but is that what a player wants?
NHL Rumors: Florida Panthers and Sergei Bobrovsky Slowing Extension Talks
According to Jeff Rimer, former player of the Panthers and Columbus Blue Jackets, when he was asked about the situation concerning the goalkeeper of the Panthers on the Rod Pedersen Show, he believes that Bobrovsky wants to stay, but there are many chances that he will leave if Zito receives an offer and he will not stay.
“I don’t know how fragile it is. I think it’s real. I think, if you look at Bill Zito and what he’s been able to accomplish here the last few years, he’s built back-to-back Stanley Cup teams. But it’s come at a price. There’s been draft picks given up, there’s been young players given away to pick up key pieces that led them back to the Stanley Cup.
Having said that, there’s obviously going to be interest in the NHL, especially a few teams, to have a goaltender, a Stanley Cup champion, a future Hall of Famer, on their team. But you were absolutely right, and I was listening at the beginning of the show, at least at the beginning of this hour, and that’s Sergei Bobrovsky, who I know very well, and I have a very good friendship with him. I know he would really like to finish the season and re-sign here in Florida, instead of going somewhere else and sitting out the year.
Having said that, I think it’s possible. And what if someone comes along and makes Zito the kind of gift he can’t refuse? Obviously, he’s going to have a conversation with his star goaltender, and say, hey, we have every intention of getting you back.
And obviously, the idea is, yes, Bobrovsky will come back, any player will come back next year. But hey, when you want assets, especially a team like Florida going forward, why not?
Bobrovsky has a 16-team no-trade list. Any deal that lands on Zito’s desk or phone will be handled by Bobrovsky and his representation. Who needs goals other than Edmonton, Montreal, and Vegas? Most playoff teams already have their guy. And do Montreal and Edmonton really need better scoring or defense. That leaves Vegas. But again, it comes down to who the Panthers will put on a season-ending LTIR if they are going to keep Bobrovsky’s salary.
NHL rumors: Florida Panthers want to keep Sergei Bobrovsky
Remember, Bobrovsky wanted to sign with Florida in 2019. He has a history of not negotiating during the season. A down year for the Panthers. But given the players the Panthers recently extended, does Zito want to go with the project between the pipes or keep a proven guy like Bobrovsky moving forward, and at what cost?
Also, there are many reports out there surrounding Sergei Bobrovsky. It would be shocking if he was traded from Florida. We do know that Dave Pagnotta cited a two-year deal as being out of the question for Bobrovsky and the Panthers.
The NHL Trade Deadline is 3 pm on Friday, March 6.
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