Panthers hold Stanley Cup champion out of the lineup: Trade imminent for Bobrovsky
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Austin Sabourin
Mar 5, 2026 (12:11)
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Photo credit: James Guillory-Imagn Images
Head coach Paul Maurice is raising eyebrows across the league tonight, deciding to keep star goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky completely out of the crease.
The Florida Panthers are matching up against the Columbus Blue Jackets in a heavy Eastern Conference tilt. Everyone expected the veteran to face his former club.
Daniil Tarasov is taking the net instead, pushing trade speculation into overdrive with the deadline just hours away.
Holding a healthy $10 million goaltender out of action during a vital road trip sends shockwaves through the entire hockey world.
General Manager Bill Zito is famous for swinging for the fences. Clearing out that massive cap hit would completely reshape the financial structure in Sunrise.
Bobrovsky currently holds a full no-movement clause. He dictates the terms of his departure and must officially sign off on any potential relocation.
Over his NHL career, the 37-year-old has proven to be a clutch performer capable of stealing a seven-game series single-handedly.
The heavy price of a blockbuster
The Panthers are staring down a severe salary cap crunch. Moving off his $10 million hit might be the only viable strategy to afford upcoming core extensions.
The Russian veteran has been highly efficient this season. He boasts a .914 SV% and a 2.65 GAA across 42 tough starts.
Those specific numbers make him an incredibly appealing target for a desperate contender lacking a legitimate number one option.
Pulling off a trade of this magnitude requires absolute wizardry. Zito will definitely need a third organization involved to retain a massive percentage of the money.
Inside the locker room, the boys know it is a business. But losing a beloved Stanley Cup champion right before the playoffs is a tough pill to swallow.
The defensive pairings have to step up tonight. They need crisp passing on the breakout and suffocating neutral zone coverage to insulate the backup.
Maurice might just be giving his workhorse a scheduled night of rest during a grueling back-to-back situation.
In the modern NHL, scratching your franchise goaltender the night before the deadline is rarely a coincidence. The next 24 hours will dictate the future of Florida hockey.
Also read on Sunrise Hockey Insider :
Florida Panthers see Sergei Bobrovsky rumors narrow to four teams as the NHL trade deadline nears
Florida Panthers see Sergei Bobrovsky rumors narrow to four teams as the NHL trade deadline nears