Panthers keep Sergei Bobrovsky at the deadline, pivot to contract

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Sergei Bobrovsky remains to be with the Florida Panthersand the group needs to keep it that manner.

The Panthers did not commerce their two-time Stanley Cup-winning goaltender on Friday, regardless of widespread hypothesis that they’d think about accepting gives for him. Instead, the group pivoted towards making an attempt to get a brand new deal accomplished with the free-agent-in-waiting.

There had been gives. None compelled the Panthers to make a transfer.

“Sergei is a part of our franchise, part of our core,” Panthers normal supervisor and hockey operations president Bill Zito mentioned Friday, shortly after the league’s 3 pm commerce deadline handed. “And we want to try to keep him. I think with almost any player… you always listen. When the phone rings, you answer because you don’t know what could happen.”

Bobrovsky is enduring the worst statistical season of his 16-year profession, with a .873 save share. Of the 35 goalies who entered Friday with greater than 25 begins this season, Bobrovsky — at 37 — is the oldest of the bunch.

The Panthers do not care about any of that. They’ve been ravaged by accidents this season and are effectively out of the playoff chase after three straight runs to the Stanley Cup Final. But just about all of their high gamers — Alexander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart, Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand, Gustav Forsling, Seth Jones, Anton Lundell, Niko Mikkola and extra — are signed for years to come, and extra playoff runs are anticipated.

Zito needs Bobrovsky to be alongside for that journey.

“I want Sergei to stay, and look forward to having him back,” Zito mentioned.