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NHL Trade Rumors: Florida Panthers interested in Sergei Bobrovsky

By Dave Stevenson |
ST. PAUL, MN - JANUARY 19: Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Columbus Blue Jackets looks on in the second period during the game against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center on January 19, 2019 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
ST. PAUL, MN - JANUARY 19: Sergei Bobrovsky #72 of the Columbus Blue Jackets looks on in the second period during the game against the Minnesota Wild at Xcel Energy Center on January 19, 2019 in St. Paul, Minnesota. (Photo by David Berding/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Florida Panthers have interest in trading for Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. But trading for him will be a complicated process. 

The Florida Panthers have only made the postseason twice during general manager Dale Tallon‘s tenure. Their goaltending has been a huge reason why and this year is no different. According to the latest NHL trade rumors, the Panthers are trying to fix it by trading for and extending Columbus Blue Jackets goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky long-term.

This report comes from Larry Brooks of the New York Post. Jeff Marek of the 31 Thoughts podcast also reported their interest in both Artemi Panarin and Bobrovsky.

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The Panthers could just wait until free agency to sign him. However, they aren’t giving up hope of making the postseason yet. After all, the Panthers were in a worse position last year around this time and still nearly made the Stanley Cup Playoffs. It would also give them more time to negotiate with Bobrovsky and let him get used to their system before his long-term deal.

However, trading for him would require some creative thinking from the Panthers. They currently have both James Reimer and Roberto Luongo under contract. One of them would likely have to be traded or moved in order to make room for Bobrovsky. The Panthers could do this by trading Reimer or Luongo to the Blue Jackets as a part of the return for Bobrovsky.

However, Columbus, according to Pierre LeBrun of The Athletic noted, could have interest in Detroit Red Wings goaltender Jimmy Howard. If this is true, the Panthers would have to either buy out Luongo (assuming he’s healthy) or find another way to move Reimer.

There’s also the salary cap aspect of it. The Panthers would have to dedicate a very large portion of their salary cap to Bobrovsky. Is that the best move with the two-time Vezina Trophy-winning goaltender declining in each of his past two seasons?

Potential Package

The Panthers could include Derick Brassard in the trade, as the Blue Jackets desperately need some center depth. Getting Reimer in the deal would clear that roster spot for Bobrovsky and would give Columbus a reliable goalie who could help form a tandem with Joonas Korpisalo.

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In an earlier trade with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Florida picked up a second-round pick in 2019. That could be included in the trade as well. So here’s how the proposed deal would look.

What do you think about the proposed offer? Let us know in the comments!

For updated NHL trade rumors, be sure to check out our Rumors page.

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