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By Michael Gallagher
Sports Content Coordinator
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After acquiring star forward Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators this offseason, the Florida Panthers are considered the odds-on favorite to win the 2026 Stanley Cup.
Florida’s roster reads like a list of All-Stars — Aleksander Barkov, Brady Tkachuk, Matthew Tkachuk, Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart, Carter Verhaeghe, Aaron Ekblad, Seth Jones — but the Panthers will reportedly be down one top player heading into next season.
According to David Pagnotta of the Fourth Period, things are not going well with in contract negotiations with star goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.
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“It looks like Sergei Bobrovsky is going to be leaving for free agency,” Pagnotta said on “NHL Tonight.”
The news comes one day after the 2026 NHL draft, where the Panthers traded the No. 9 overall pick to the Senators for Brady Tkachuk.
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The 37-year-old Bobrovsky is coming off a seven-year, $70 million contract ($10 million per year), and despite his age, he’s reportedly seeking a six-year, $42 million deal, according to Daily Faceoff.
While he’s a three-time All-Star, two-time Vezina Trophy winner, and two-time Stanley Cup champion, most agree Bobrovsky’s alleged contract demands are unreasonable.
If Bobrovsky, who posted a 27-23-1 record with a 3.07 goals-against average and .877 save percentage, does reach free agency, the Panthers’ goaltending options leave much to be desired.
Florida is looking at a goalie tandem of 27-year-old Daniil Tarasov (13-15-3, 3.05 GAA, .895 save percentage) and 25-year-old rookie Cooper Black. The team also has 2022 sixth-round pick Tyler Muszelik in the American Hockey League with the Charlotte Checkers.
This year’s crop of free-agent goaltenders is also limited in talent with Petr Mrazek, Ivan Fedotov, Cam Talbot, Connor Ingram, and Vitek Vanecek the headliners of the best available players.
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