Sergei Bobrovsky spoke to the media for the first time as a member of the Toronto Maple Leafs and for the first time since leaving the Florida Panthers, speaking about his exit and how things went down.
For the first time in seven years, Sergei Bobrovsky will suit up for a team that is not the Florida Panthers.
On July 1, the 37-year-old netminder inked a three-year, $7 million contract with a division rival, the Toronto Maple Leafs. Bobrovsky will be the No. 1 netminder in the hockey mecca, reuniting with Anthony Stolarz and looking to help deliver a Stanley Cup to Toronto for the first time since 1967.
Earlier today, Bobrovsky spoke to the media for the first time as a member of the Maple Leafs, expressing excitement about joining the organization. But what may have caught more attention were his comments about his exit from the Panthers.
Bobrovsky was very appreciative of his time and understands the business of hockey.
“Well, it’s a business. The organization decided to move a different direction, and that’s pretty much it,” Bobrovsky explained when asked why things fell through. “I respect that. I got nothing against it, so that’s hockey... In my position, again, as I said, I just want to keep only the appreciation and thank for everything what they have done for me.”
Bobrovsky also talked about when he knew he wouldn’t be returning to the Panthers organization.
“To be honest, I thought I’m gonna stay in Florida,” Bobrovsky admitted. “But things work out like how they work out and the Leafs put their trust in me, they put out their belief and they gave me good opportunity to join the historical legendary team and be part of this organization.”
“Oh, it’s pretty much when that last day, when the trade happened with Jacob Markstrom. So that was pretty much the year.”
There were plenty of reports circulating around Bobrovsky and the Panthers’ goaltending situation leading up to the Markstrom trade. Some reports indicated the Panthers were targeting Connor Hellebuyck, but those odds decreased significantly when the Panthers acquired Brady Tkachuk.
Regarding Bobrovsky, some insiders believed he was seeking a max-term contract, while others indicated he wanted a contract of similar value to his previous deal.
In the end, Bobrovsky was given a very reasonable three-year, $21-million contract, one of similar value to Markstrom’s two-year, $6 million AAV.
In the end, no animosity is apparent from either side. The Maple Leafs and Panthers should be back as playoff contenders and could very well meet at some point in the playoffs.
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