Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Florida Panthers star goalie Sergei Bobrovsky and head coach Paul Maurice are facing a harsh reality as the team plummets down the standings.
Sitting 21st overall with just 67 points through 64 games, the back-to-back champions are officially on life support and likely missing the spring dance.
A brutal -18 goal differential paints a clear picture of a roster completely out of sync on both ends of the ice.
General manager Bill Zito aggressively locked up his core skaters to long-term extensions, securing his top forwards and the blue line.
Despite that proactive management, the situation in the crease remains a glaring unresolved issue heading into the offseason.
Bobrovsky is playing out the final months of a massive contract that carries a $10-million cap hit, a number matched only by captain Aleksander Barkov.
At 37 years old, the veteran netminder is clearly exiting his athletic prime, complicating the math on any potential extension.
Where Could The Veteran Goalie Land?
If negotiations flatline and he walks away from Sunrise, you better believe a desperate contender will step up with a lucrative short-term offer.
Look directly at the Edmonton Oilers, currently sitting 16th overall with 72 points and obvious lingering issues between the pipes.
If Tristan Jarry falters down the stretch, Edmonton's absolute win-now mandate makes them a prime destination for a hired gun.
A three-year deal worth around $7 million per season is a very realistic expectation for a goalie of his pedigree.
The Montreal Canadiens are another fascinating wild card, currently riding high in 7th place league-wide with a solid 80 points.
Montreal could easily throw a short-term, high-AAV deal at Bobrovsky to secure an elite stop-gap until top prospect Jacob Fowler is ready for the Show.
The free-agent market is entirely dictated by leverage, and Bobrovsky holds all the cards right now.
No other available goaltender boasts a resume featuring two Stanley Cup rings and two Vezina Trophies.
Zito needs to finalize a realistic number before the regular season ends, or he risks watching his star goalie bolt for the highest bidder.
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