Bobrovsky had experienced just about everything during his hockey career except Stanley Cup postseason success
Bobrovsky had experienced just about everything during his hockey career except Stanley Cup postseason success
Sergei Bobrovsky is one of the most experienced, decorated goaltenders in the world.
He’s got the Vezina trophies, international medals, playoff experience, and now he’s been to a Stanley Cup Final.
Next season, Bobrovsky should move into the NHL’s top 20 for all-time goaltending wins. He’s 29 victories away from Dominik Hasek needs 40 to become the 14th goalie ever to win 400 NHL games.
Not bad for a guy who is still only 34 years old. Well, to be fair, he’ll be 35 when next season begins.
The point is…Bobrovsky has been around the block.
When looking back at his career to this point, it’s fair to debate whether Bob should be considered for the Pro Hockey Hall of Fame.
But is it fair to consider that some of Bobrovsky’s best hockey could still be ahead of him?
With Bob, he’s a very cerebral goaltender. It’s as much a mental game as it is physical for the veteran.
For a goalie whose been through as much as he has, Bobrovsky had yet to soak up the knowledge that comes with a Stanley Cup Final run.
“It's definitely a huge experience,” Bobrovsky said. ”I would say for those two months that I played in the playoffs, I learned a lot more than for 13 years of my NHL career.”
It’s not uncommon to hear players say that no matter what they’d been told about the difference between regular season and playoff hockey, you can’t really know until you experience it.
So much of Bobrovsky’s success comes from within. His routines, his discipline, his work ethic, all legendary among his current and former teammates.
He also draws from his past.
Places he’s been, games he’s played in, obstacles he’s overcome.
It all helps Bob get better.
Imagine how much value he’ll be able to obtain from knowing what it takes to reach the ultimate pinnacle of his profession.
Of course, that’s once he’s had a chance to process it all.
“It's been so many mental things, mental challenges that you have to overcome,” he said. “Now it's time to put everything on the shelves to figure it out, what you went through, and kind of let it digest, and move on.”
While thinking about the most successful playoff run of his career, Bobrovsky knows to keep things grounded.
He was quick to point out that nothing Florida accomplished during the playoffs will matter when the puck drops on the 2023-24 season.
“Yeah, we had the fantastic experience, and that definitely helps, but it could be also be challenging,” Bobrovsky explained. “Sometimes when you win, you think, ‘oh it's been easy, we beat those guys easy,’ and that could get you. Next season, everything starts from zero. Everything scratched. We have to compete for the playoff spot again, and do all the things from zero.”
Bobrovsky called Florida’s remarkable postseason a “very stressful, very physical and mentally demanding time” for him.
He’s surely not the only one.
Hitting the reset button is a general necessity during the offseason, but just imagine how the guys feel who just played an extra two months at the highest level the NHL offers.
The Panthers will have plenty to be pumped up about when they get back to work in training camp.
For now, it’s time to chill.
“It's going to be exciting time,” Bobrovsky said, “but now It's time to rest, to relax and see what's next.”