Florida Panthers sign Sergei Bobrovsky to an absurd contract
The Florida Panthers finally got their goalie in Sergei Bobrovsky, but the contract they signed him to is absurdly large.
After months of speculation and rumors, it is finally confirmed. Sergei Bobrovsky is now a member of the Florida Panthers, but oh boy was it expensive for Florida.
The Panthers signed the 30-year-old to a seven-year contract worth $70 million, with a $10M cap hit per season. That cap hit and duration is… ouch. It is also the richest contract the Panthers have ever signed a player to.
Bobrvosky has won the Vezina Trophy as the league’s top goalie twice. In 457 regular season games, he owns a 255-153-37 record with a 2.46 GAA, .919 save percentage and 33 shutouts with the Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus Blue Jackets. Last season he went 37-24-1 with a 2.58 goals-against average, .913 save percentage and notched nine shutouts.
"“Sergei is an elite starting goaltender who has consistently proven to be one of the best in the NHL,” Panthers general manager Dale Tallon said. “Adding a world-class goalie with Sergei’s abilities and experience will give us a solid foundation in net and the confidence to win every night as we look toward this next era of Panthers hockey in South Florida.”"
The Panthers were the favorite to land Bobrovsky for months now, and they cleared plenty of space to get him in free agency. With Roberto Luongo retiring and James Reimer traded, the Panthers pushed all their chips into convincing Bobrovsky to sign, but that contract may prove problematic.
The first few years of this contract will probably work out really well for the Panthers if Bobrovsky stays healthy. They’ll finally get the consistent goaltending they have lacked for several years. However, that aging curve is always a concern for goaltenders, and Bobrovsky is no exception.
The Panthers are taking a massive risk. He will be 37 years old when this contract expires, and the first five years of the contract have a full no-movement clause.
Next. Arizona Coyotes win big in Phil Kessel trade with Pittsburgh Penguins. dark
Bobrovsky wasn’t the only move that the Panthers made in free agency. They also signed forwards Brett Connolly and Noel Acciari, as well as defenseman Anton Stralman. After a busy day for Florida, the Panthers have $4,814,206 left salary cap space for the rest of the offseason.