To Paul Maurice, Sergei Bobrovsky is not just “a freak of nature” who happens to perform day in and day out at 37 years of age. “You see the amount of time he puts into being a great pro, and that’s the reason why. He has just worked so hard to be great,” the Panthers’ head coach told reporters during the end-of-season presser on June 2. His ability to stay focused even through long periods of inaction makes the Russian a perfect fit for the Panthers. Maurice, for one, would like to rely on that ability for as long as he can, because he doesn’t see a young goalie replacing him anytime soon.

On July 1, 2019, Sergei Bobrovsky put pen to paper on a $70,000,000, seven-year contract with the Panthers. This came after successful stints with the Columbus Blue Jackets, Philadelphia Flyers, and SKA Saint Petersburg. Right now, the front offices of those teams must be reflecting on what led them to trade Bobrovsky. But with his seven-year contract with the Panthers nearing its end next year, questions loom on whether he’ll stick around as long as Paul Maurice would like him to.

Naturally, the topic came up when Sergei Bobrovsky attended a season-ending press conference. When asked about his thoughts on Maurice’s claim that he’s going to be around for the next five years, the Russian netminder replied, “I try to stay with one moment at a time, you know. And I just, at the moment. I appreciate it, again, for the experience I just had. It’s been amazing, and I just wanted to value that experience and take my time to break it down. And enjoy it completely, and then think about what’s next.”

Sergei also added, “I’m excited about the next season, about the next challenge. We have, again, a great group of guys. I’m excited to be their goalie to help them, to go through the challenges and hurdles with them. So then, like, it’s tough to predict for five years right now, you know. And I don’t want that.” And why does he think so? Sergei himself answers this question in his answer further. 

“Because I feel like when you think too much ahead of yourself, you lose focus on that moment. And I don’t want to lose that.” Sergei saved many important games, having playoff save percentages of .915, .906, and .914 over the last three seasons. He was even in consideration for the Conn Smythe trophy in the last two. So even if his numbers take a slight dip, there won’t be any shortage of suitors if he does decide to move on next year. But then again, he is also a father to two kids, and his family is well-settled in Florida. 

Whatever happens, it’s safe to say that the Panthers will try their best to keep the veteran amidst their ranks—something that the Philadelphia Flyers should have done when they had the chance.

The Philadelphia Flyers’ Sergei Bobrovsky trade was a blunder 

Just two years into his Philadelphia Flyers tenure, Sergei Bobrovsky was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets for a bunch of mid-round picks. Little did they know what they were losing out on. If only they saw him the way Paul Maurice does.

What’s surprising was that Bobrovsky’s save percentage during that period was impressive, especially for a young goaltender still developing his game. In the 2010 to 2011 season, his save percentage was .915, a strong number by any standard. Even in his final year with the Flyers, although slightly lower, his save percentage was still a respectable .899. These numbers suggest that he was far from the problem, and letting him go proved to be a decision that did not age well.

But still, he got traded to the Blue Jackets before playing for the Panthers from 2019. What’s more? Bobrovsky isn’t the only one who got traded from the Flyers and won the Cup. They also traded Anthony Stolarz, who, in fact, was one of those mid-round picks the Flyers had traded Bobrovsky for. Stolarz ironically went on to leave the Flyers and become Bobrovsky’s teammate in Florida, winning the Stanley Cup with the Panthers in 2024 before leaving for the Toronto Maple Leafs. That’s three Stanley Cup rings in two years from the former Flyers team.

The Flyers, on the other hand, recorded the worst save percentage of .872 in the past season and have three inexperienced netminders in their ranks. Now the only question is: Will the Flyers develop them or trade them just like Bobrovsky and Stolarz?