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Sergei Bobrovsky’s future has become one of the biggest storylines heading into NHL free agency 2026. The longtime Florida Panthers goaltender is reportedly seeking a contract worth as much as $42 million over six years.
The 37-year-old is coming off the expiration of his seven-year, $70 million contract. While his playoff legacy in Florida is secure, questions surrounding his recent performance have created significant concern around the league.
The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn recently identified Bobrovsky as a player teams should avoid this offseason.
“Goalies are tricky beasts,” Luszczyszyn wrote. “One year, they can look like the GOAT; the next year, they can look like actual goats. Sergei Bobrovsky obviously fits that bill. For three years, he was one of the main reasons the Panthers went to back-to-back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, winning twice. But he was also the primary reason the team didn’t make it all this past season; he was that poor.”
That volatility is central to Bobrovsky’s current market value. He helped lead Florida to three consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances starting in 2023 and back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025.
MORE: Panthers Rumors: Florida may have $59.5M backup plan if Sergei Bobrovsky walks
Clearly, Bobrovsky’s postseason resume includes some of the most important moments in franchise history. However, teams must evaluate what he is now rather than what he was.
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) looks on from the bench at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Bobrovsky endured the worst regular season of his NHL career in 2025-26. He finished with a .877 save percentage, a 3.07 goals-against average, and one of the league’s lowest goals-saved-above-expected marks.
Luszczyszyn pointed to those numbers as a major concern. He noted that “only three goalies had a worse GSAx than Bobrovsky’s minus-17.6.”
The decline becomes more concerning when viewed over multiple seasons. Bobrovsky’s underlying numbers in 2024-25 were also below expectations despite Florida winning the Stanley Cup.
“That’s two seasons of subpar play that make it difficult to invest even medium dollars in his services,” Luszczyszyn wrote.
So, the risk is obvious. A long-term contract would carry Bobrovsky into his mid-40s, an age few goaltenders have successfully reached while remaining starters.
MORE: Canadiens among teams ‘pushing hard’ for $46.5M Maple Leafs star
Florida Panthers Sergei Bobrovsky (72) spits out water at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The Panthers also experienced a sharp decline last season. Florida missed the playoffs, finished near the bottom of the league defensively, and allowed 276 goals. That collapse was not solely Bobrovsky’s fault. Injuries and roster turnover played major roles, but elite goaltenders are often expected to mask those issues.
There is still a path to a rebound season. Bobrovsky’s experience and championship pedigree remain attractive in a thin goalie market. Still, Luszczyszyn believes that “questionable goaltending makes sense if it’s cheap; Bobrovsky won’t be, and that’s a tough sell.”
MORE: Maple Leafs found their answer in 70-point Lightning D-man
So, committing six or seven years at significant money would be a gamble. For contenders managing tight salary caps, that is a risk many front offices may decide is simply too large.
Continue reading...
The 37-year-old is coming off the expiration of his seven-year, $70 million contract. While his playoff legacy in Florida is secure, questions surrounding his recent performance have created significant concern around the league.
The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn recently identified Bobrovsky as a player teams should avoid this offseason.
“Goalies are tricky beasts,” Luszczyszyn wrote. “One year, they can look like the GOAT; the next year, they can look like actual goats. Sergei Bobrovsky obviously fits that bill. For three years, he was one of the main reasons the Panthers went to back-to-back-to-back Stanley Cup Finals, winning twice. But he was also the primary reason the team didn’t make it all this past season; he was that poor.”
That volatility is central to Bobrovsky’s current market value. He helped lead Florida to three consecutive Stanley Cup Final appearances starting in 2023 and back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025.
MORE: Panthers Rumors: Florida may have $59.5M backup plan if Sergei Bobrovsky walks
Clearly, Bobrovsky’s postseason resume includes some of the most important moments in franchise history. However, teams must evaluate what he is now rather than what he was.
Warning signs about Panthers star Sergei Bobrovsky are difficult to ignore
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Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) looks on from the bench at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Bobrovsky endured the worst regular season of his NHL career in 2025-26. He finished with a .877 save percentage, a 3.07 goals-against average, and one of the league’s lowest goals-saved-above-expected marks.
Luszczyszyn pointed to those numbers as a major concern. He noted that “only three goalies had a worse GSAx than Bobrovsky’s minus-17.6.”
The decline becomes more concerning when viewed over multiple seasons. Bobrovsky’s underlying numbers in 2024-25 were also below expectations despite Florida winning the Stanley Cup.
“That’s two seasons of subpar play that make it difficult to invest even medium dollars in his services,” Luszczyszyn wrote.
So, the risk is obvious. A long-term contract would carry Bobrovsky into his mid-40s, an age few goaltenders have successfully reached while remaining starters.
MORE: Canadiens among teams ‘pushing hard’ for $46.5M Maple Leafs star
Bobrovsky won’t make sense on a long-term deal
You must be registered for see images attach
Florida Panthers Sergei Bobrovsky (72) spits out water at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images
The Panthers also experienced a sharp decline last season. Florida missed the playoffs, finished near the bottom of the league defensively, and allowed 276 goals. That collapse was not solely Bobrovsky’s fault. Injuries and roster turnover played major roles, but elite goaltenders are often expected to mask those issues.
There is still a path to a rebound season. Bobrovsky’s experience and championship pedigree remain attractive in a thin goalie market. Still, Luszczyszyn believes that “questionable goaltending makes sense if it’s cheap; Bobrovsky won’t be, and that’s a tough sell.”
MORE: Maple Leafs found their answer in 70-point Lightning D-man
So, committing six or seven years at significant money would be a gamble. For contenders managing tight salary caps, that is a risk many front offices may decide is simply too large.
Continue reading...
