Welcome back to the latest installment of NHL rumours here at Last Word on Hockey. In this edition, the discussion will turn to the chatter involving the Florida Panthers and two-time Stanley Cup champion netminder Sergei Bobrovsky.
This situation has the potential to escalate into a huge issue for the Cats. That’s why the team will be looking to thread a fine needle this season and beyond.
NHL Rumours: Panthers Have No Clarity on Bobrovsky’s Next Contract
Rumour: The Florida Panthers face a pivotal decision with Bobrovsky. He’s in the final year of his current contract. He is set to become an unrestricted free agent (UFA) at the end of the season. As such, the Panthers must figure out what his next contract could look like, that is, if he plans to remain in Florida.
Analysis: Nick Kypreos brought this point up in his latest NHL Trade Board. He discussed the uncertainty that remains with Bobrovsky, with the Cats potentially exploring a trade. However, there haven’t been any NHL rumours suggesting which direction the situation could be heading.
It may seem like a far-fetched situation to trade Bobrovsky at this point. But with the Panthers still out of a playoff spot, and the possibility of the 36-year-old not re-signing in the offseason, a trade might materialize.
If the Panthers were willing to trade Bobrovsky, numerous teams could be lining up to kick the tires. Bobrovsky is a proven commodity, and the Panthers could be looking to punt on the season and retool in the summer.
As Kypreos noted, the next week or so should provide more insight into NHL rumours involving Bobrovsky and the Panthers. Several clubs remain on the bubble. So, the next three or four games could determine if there’s a reasonable shot for these teams to make the postseason.
Florida Could Be Looking for a New Goalie
Assuming the Panthers go nuclear, the NHL rumours surrounding the team will focus on finding a new starting netminder. If Bobrovsky were to leave at the NHL trade deadline this season, the starting job would fall to Daniil Tarasov.
Tarasov could be a decent fill-in for the remainder of the regular season. However, the Panthers will need to find a new starting goaltender.
As for who that could be, it’s anyone’s guess. Rumours will surely pick up heading into the 2026 NHL Draft with potential trades. It wouldn’t be a stretch to hear names like Stuart Skinner or Jordan Binnington linked to Florida.
Of course, this entire discussion could be moot if the Panthers re-sign Bobrovsky. The challenge there would be finding the right contract for the aging netminder. Bobrovsky has not shown any signs of slowing down thus far. But at 36, a short-term deal seems like the likeliest outcome.
And even if the Panther re-signed Bobrovsky, what would his cap hit look like? Would he be willing to take a pay cut to help the Panthers out? If so, would that pay cut come at the expense of a longer-term deal like Brad Marchand’s?
The Panthers may sit out this trade deadline. But one has to think that the offseason will feature endless rumours involving Florida’s goaltending situation.
Main Photo: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images