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Panthers Not Budging on Bobrovsky’s Familiar Contract Pitch

Originally posted on NHL Trade Talk | Last updated Mar 19, 2026 1:18 PM ET

As per a report by Elliotte Friedman in his 32 Thoughts written column, goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has a specific extension in mind as he negotiates with the Florida Panthers. He’s looking for the same kind of deal Brad Marchand signed.

Friedman writes:

“I don’t know where it’s going to go with Sergei Bobrovsky in Florida. But there is word that the contract Brad Marchand signed (six years, $5.25 million AAV) was, at one point, used as some kind of a comparable.”

Friedman adds, “Marchand signed that at age 37. Bobrovsky is 37. Panthers were not willing to do it. Not sure where it stands now.”

Marchand had signed his deal with the Panthers after helping them secure a second straight Stanley Cup. After the season, there was a lot of thought the Panthers couldn’t afford to re-sign all of their free agents (Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad). They did. Part of how they got it done was a longer-term deal for Marchand at a more friendly AAV. Bobrovsky seems to be thinking along those lines, but the Panthers aren’t budging.

Why Don’t the Panthers Want to Go There?

Considering Florida was willing to give Marchand the long-term deal, why not Bobrovsky? That’s not entirely clear, but there could be a few reasons.

First, it’s hard to compare goaltenders and forwards when evaluating long-term deals. At 37, Bobrovsky’s production is likely to decline more rapidly than Marchands. Behind only Jonathan Quick and Cam Talbot, Bobrovsky is the oldest netminder in the NHL. Those two make a fraction of what Bobrovsky is asking for, which is likely why they’re still in the league. Meanwhile, there are several productive forwards older than Marchand, still making good money.

Second, Bobrovsky’s numbers have fallen sharply this season. For the first time since 2011-12, he’s got under a .900 save percentage, and at .876, it’s the lowest of his career. With a 3.07 goals against average to boot, it’s not the kind of season where he can demand big money, despite his resume.

Third, the Panthers may see themselves in a different light than they did this past offseason. Florida is unlikely to make the playoffs, and if there’s a belief they might be trending downward, investing significant salary in a 37-year-old goal on the way out isn’t the best use of their cap space.

All that said, Bobrovsky is “playoff Bob,” and the cap is going up. Maybe the Panthers are just playing hardball, knowing that the goalie will eventually drop his asking price.

This article first appeared on NHL Trade Talk and was syndicated with permission.

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