Fansided

One player from each NHL team who should be on the NHL 18 cover

By David Rouben

Nov 2, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) prepares to throw pucks to the crowd after the game against the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 2, 2016; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price (31) prepares to throw pucks to the crowd after the game against the Vancouver Canucks at the Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: Eric Bolte-USA TODAY Sports /
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October 28, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) defends the goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
October 28, 2016; Anaheim, CA, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) defends the goal against the Anaheim Ducks during the second period at Honda Center. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports /

Columbus Blue Jackets: Sergei Bobrovsky

The Columbus Blue Jackets have made a lot of bad moves in their history, but acquiring Sergei Bobrovsky for three draft picks that never really panned out was one of their better deals.

His time in Philadelphia was very inconsistent. He had a .915 save percentage in his first season there, but he was disappointing in the playoffs. They shipped him off to Columbus after shelling out money on Ilya Bryzgalov, which they still deeply regret to this day.

Within his first year of arriving in Columbus, he won the Vezina trophy, and made Steve Mason expendable. Sure it was a lockout-shortened season, but a .932 save percentage is impressive no matter what.

He followed that up by getting the Blue Jackets to the playoffs for the second time ever, and the first time since 2009. While they lost in the first round, they won their first two playoff games in franchise history and gave the Pittsburgh Penguins a run for their money.

Bobrovsky has made the most of his new surroundings to establish himself as an elite goalie. If you can win a Vezina while playing for Columbus, you must be doing something right. And after Jay Onrait started treating him like a cop on the force, he’s achieved somewhat of a cult following.

A lot of people are hoping the Blue Jackets can figure it out and build a respectable team around Bobrovsky. It would be a shame if he wasted his talents there, but he’s already accomplished so much for an undrafted goaltender.

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