Could the Panthers Attempt To Trade Sergei Bobrovsky?
Nathan Ray Seebeck-United states Currently Athletics
Florida Panthers common supervisor Invoice Zito went all-in this year, mortgaging aspect of his club’s long run to obtain Claude Giroux and Ben Chiarot ahead of the trade deadline. Acquiring fallen short of successful the Stanley Cup, he should no cost up income-cap place for up coming year.
Cap Helpful suggests the Panthers have $3.9 million in cap house with 16 gamers underneath contract for next season. Giroux, Chiarot, getting old Joe Thornton and spark-plug forward Mason Marchment are their notable unrestricted free of charge agents.
Florida Hockey Now’s George Richards noted Zito did not get into particulars about his off-season designs throughout his period wrap-up press conference. The Panthers GM also faces extensive-time period choices for Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar with equally of them suitable up coming summertime for UFA status.
Subsequent the Panthers’ next-round elimination, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman claimed they looked into trading Sergei Bobrovsky in the course of the year, “or at minimum lay the groundwork to do it.” He did not know if it was feasible to transfer the 32-calendar year-old goaltender but extra they genuinely tried using to see if it could be accomplished.
Buying and selling Bobrovsky would free up significant cap room to handle the Panthers’ rapid and extensive-phrase wants. On the other hand, he’s signed via 2025-26 with a $10-million yearly ordinary value and a comprehensive no-movement clause. Assuming he’d agree to a trade, his listing of most popular destinations could be shorter. The Panthers would also have to keep a healthier chunk of his cap hit to entice probable suitors.
That won’t indicate Bobrovsky couldn’t be traded this summer season. Possibly a crew with abundant cap place looking for an proven setting up goaltender, these as the New Jersey Devils, would choose the opportunity if he agreed to the shift. Provided his significant deal, nonetheless, Zito will have to contemplate other cost-chopping possibilities.
