Any Truth to Canadiens and Bobrovsky Trade Rumors?

An interesting rumor popped up this week linking the Montreal Canadiens to goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky. While the Florida Panthers might not be playoff-bound and the Canadiens could potentially use an upgrade in goal, this is not the kind of blockbuster trade buzz that goes unreported if true.

This would be a whopper if true. So, after seeing the rumor, I did some digging and found a handful of reports suggesting the Canadiens have trade interest in Bobrovsky. Assuming the Panthers become sellers at the 2026 NHL Trade Deadline, I could see why someone is throwing this out there to see if it might gain traction. I can also tell you that anything I found primarily stems from NHL rumor sites and X posts, with varying degrees of credibility.

All accounts are speculative, while others reference “insider” sources and don’t name names. I couldn’t find any of the big guns mentioning it, and my sources (yes, I do have a few) don’t have it on their radar.

That doesn’t mean it’s impossible or that there won’t come a time over the next two weeks when this idea gets floated around, but for now, this sounds like little more than fluff. Note that Bobrovsky has a 16-team no-trade clause and is a pending UFA after this season, which could complicate any deal.

Recent Trade Rumors Linking Bobrovsky to Montreal

A February 19, 2026, one report claims the Canadiens are “all in” on Bobrovsky if Florida sells, breaking down potential salary retention (e.g., Florida retaining 50% to make his $10M cap hit more manageable) and a hypothetical trade package involving prospects or picks.

On February 16, 2026, X posted an anonymous NHL insider stating that preliminary talks had occurred between the Panthers and Canadiens (along with the Oilers) regarding Bobrovsky. They, of course, say it’s contingent on Florida falling out of playoff contention. This came from an account that is widely known to be inaccurate.

The most logical report I uncovered was in a January 29, 2026, article that identifies Bobrovsky as a “viable target” for the Canadiens this offseason to address their goaltending needs. There’s no mention of a trade being discussed, nor suggestions that anything is imminent. This is simply Bobrovsky being mentioned among the names the Canadiens might want to consider. Understandably so.

Denials and Counter-Reports

A February 17, 2026, X post from a sports reporter denies the rumors, stating that sources confirm there are no inquiries from Montreal and that Bobrovsky’s camp has no interest in waiving his NMC for a move there. Interestingly, this account seems about as reputable as the accounts claiming there’s something in the works. Take it with a grain of salt.