As Sergei Bobrovsky hits free agency following a dismal season, Edmonton faces a high-stakes gamble. Will Stan Bowman overpay for a 37-year-old veteran whose best years are vanishing?
The Edmonton Oilers might be ready to make one of free agencies biggest mistakes. There's no confirmation that the Oilers and GM Stan Bowman intend to make a huge offer to Sergei Bobrovsky, but the pieces are starting to fit together.
With the news that the Florida Panthers are completing a trade for Jacob Markstrom from the New Jersey Devils, it appears the door is closing on Bobrovsky, who will head to market on Wednesday.
The Oilers need a goalie, and have been linked to names like Elvis Merzlikins, Sabastian Cossa, Devon Levi, among others. Bobrobsky is the most notable name, and he's also available. All the Oilers have to do is outbid everyone.
That's where the trouble lies.
Teams like the Los Angeles Kings and Toronto Maple Leafs are also said to have interest in Bobrovsky -- who is reportedly looking for one more homerun contract. That creates a scenario where someone is going to vastly overpay -- a move that seems wildy irresponsible given how bad Bobrovsky was last season.
Bobrovsky went 27-23-1 with a 3.07 GAA and an .877 save percentage over 52 games — a significant drop-off from his dominant stretch with Florida. For context, just two seasons ago he finished with a 2.37 GAA and .915 save percentage, was nominated for a Vezina, and backstopped the Panthers to the Stanley Cup.
He's 37 years old now. If the Oilers take a swing on a one-year deal, maybe. If they go longer-term just to hope they get two or three solid seasons out of him, it's a risk.
Down the stretch, he was essentially demoted, with Daniil Tarasov taking over the bulk of the playing time as Florida shut things down for the season. There's a reason they aren't paying him what he wants. They get that his best years are behind him. Florida was so ready to move on, they're paying full price (no salary retained) for Markstrom.
Even if Bobrovsky is still capable of winning 25-30 games, the upside is minimal at this stage of his career. The Oilers would be paying top dollar for a goalie who plays less than half the season.
Yet, free agency is where mistakes are made and Bobrovsky seemingly going to market means the Oilers are in a prime position to make a huge one.
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