Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin led the way in a 2019 summer that featured a star-studded free agent class
Sergei Bobrovsky and Artemi Panarin led the way in a 2019 summer that featured a star-studded free agent class
The pucks drops on NHL All-Star Weekend Thursday night from Toronto for what should be an incredible spectacle celebrating the greatest game in the world.
Kicking off the weekend will be the NHL All-Star draft, where the four pre-selected team captains will choose their teams for Saturday’s main event.
Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky is among the all-stars, voted in by the fans and joining teammate Sam Reinhart who was also selected to represent the team this year.
Bobrovsky is now in his fifth season patrolling the Panthers goal crease.
Back in the summer of 2019, Bobrovsky made quite a splash when he signed a 7-year, $70 million deal with the Panthers.
At the time, it ended a summer of high stakes and speculation, not only with Bobrovsky, but several high-end free agents who were seeking new homes.
That included Bob’s best friend and teammate in Columbus, Artemi Panarin.
While there was quite a bit of speculation that Bobrovsky and Panarin would sign somewhere together, that never ended up materializing and Panarin signed with the New York Rangers.
The Hockey News covered the big free agency period in its May 27, 2019 edition, Volume 72, Issue 15, with this particular story being written by Ken Campbell.
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