Growing up, Sergei Bobrovsky knew that Martin Brodeur and Patrick Roy were some of the “top guys” in the NHL. However, he could never really watch them play—neither on TV, nor on tape. And, of course, there was no internet at the time. But that didn’t mean the would-be two-time Stanley Cup champion was starved for inspiration. After all, he had a local goaltending icon to look up to.

That local hero was Vadim Tasarov, who played for Novokuznetsk Metallurg in the KHL. “I was able to watch him practice and playing games and stuff. I would say that he was my idol…Vadim Tasarov had an impact and inspiration on myself growing up,” Bobrovsky said on the Territory Talk podcast last year in February. And now, as fate would have it, Bobrovsky finds himself in Tasarov’s shoes, and taking the young Bobrovsky’s place is the former’s son, and Panthers‘ new signing, Daniil Tasarov.

In a post on X by Uggg from July 15, Sergei Bobrovsky’s comments on Daniil Tarasov were shared. Tarasov was acquired by the Panthers on June 26 as part of a trade deal with the Blue Jackets in exchange for the 160th overall pick in the 2025 NHL Draft. While the Cats’ clan would see this as another win by Bill Zito, Bobrovsky, too, couldn’t be more thrilled.

“Daniil Tarasov was traded to Florida. As you know, back in Novokuznetsk when you were young, you learned goaltending from his father, Vadim Tarasov,” said Bobrovsky of his unique connection to the incoming new Panthers member. Calling the whole thing a “unique situation,” Sergei was further quoted as saying in the social media update, “It’s not just irony, it’s a really interesting twist of fate.” Recalling Vadim’s impact on his own game, “Bob” beamed, “This will be a beneficial partnership.”

In the 2024-25 season, the 26-year-old posted a .881 save% and a 3.54 GAA, while also bagging his first NHL shutout on January 18. Drafted as the 86th overall pick in the 2017 Draft, and making his NHL debut in 2021, Daniil has so far amassed a 19-34-6 record in four seasons playing for the Blue Jackets. He also has a lot of experience in both the AHL and the KHL.

“Daniil is an athletic sized goaltender with National Hockey League experience and carries a tremendous pedigree from his junior career. Our Goaltending Excellence Department was very high on him, and we are very opportunistic about his future with our franchise,” said Bill Zito about the team’s thought process behind getting Tarasov on board. In fact, on November 20, 2022, it was Tasarov who turned away 47 of the 50 shots he faced in the 5-3 win over Bobrovsky’s Panthers. “Tonight was very special (since) we are from same town,” Tasarov said after the win. And now that he is also on the same team as his countryman, he can consider himself more than lucky.

The wall that Sergei Bobrovsky has been for the Cats

The combined force of Matthew Tkachuk, Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and the rest ripped through their opponents’ blueliners throughout the playoffs and to the Panthers’ Cup victory. For understandable reasons, Zito also didn’t want to risk losing any of these players. But let’s get honest, all those goals wouldn’t matter much without Bobrovsky having their backs on the other side of the rink. “He’s so prepared every day. He brings his best when we need it. He was a stone wall again tonight; he should’ve had a shutout. Can’t say enough good things about him,” said a victory-high Seth Jones about his netminder after the defending champs defeated the Oilers in Game 6 in the Final.

But that success didn’t come overnight. Instead, Bobrovsky had to toil day and night to overcome the initial troubles he faced at Sunrise, Florida. “All my career, I had lots of ups and downs and probably in the beginning of my time in Florida was the lowest down I have had,” he said about how the early speed bumps after coming to the Miami team in 2019 looked like insurmountable challenges at one point. But Sergei’s determination persevered.

Bobrovsky has started in 65 playoff matches to help the Panthers reach three straight Stanley Cup Finals. The 2025 edition of the same showed one of his finest versions. In both the first two matches against Edmonton, Sergei posted 42 saves before bagging 32 saves in the third. In Game 4, despite the Cats being handed a defeat, Bobrovsky walked away with another impressive 30 saves. In the final two matches, he hauled 19 and 28 saves, respectively, to wrap up a sensational postseason with a .914 save% and a 2.20 GAA.

And despite all his accolades, Sergei Bobrovsky remains a person with his feet firmly planted on the ground. “I’m just humble and appreciate it for the position I’m in. This stadium and everything, it’s amazing,” he smiled after the Cup victory this year. Now it remains to be seen how long he sticks around to mentor his young teammate. How do you think their relationship will pan out? Tell us in a comment.