It sounds like Sergei Bobrovsky is done with the Florida Panthers

The long storied career of Sergei Bobrovsky is about to enter a new chapter.

At least, that's according to a report from NHL insider Nick Kypreos.

Earlier today Kypreos reported that the 38 year Bobrovsky is far apart in contract negotiations with the Florida Panthers and is expected to hit the open market as free agent.

From Kypreos:

Speaking of the Panthers, they remain focused on re-signing pending UFA Sergei Bobrovsky, but they may have to start considering who his potential replacement might be if his extremely high demand on an extension doesn’t come down. There are some suggestions that his ask is as high as $42 million over six or seven years. Bobrovsky will turn 38 years old in September.

If Bobrovsky is indeed about to embark on a new chapter in his career, it's a remarkable twist in a career full of twists and turns. From an undrafted free agent arriving from Russia to becoming a two-time Vezina Trophy winner and Stanley Cup champion, Bobrovsky has built a résumé that places him among the most accomplished goaltenders of his generation.

Bobrovsky entered the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers in 2010 after developing in Russia’s professional ranks. Despite lacking the pedigree of a highly touted draft pick, he quickly impressed with his athleticism, competitiveness, and ability to make difficult saves. After two seasons in Philadelphia, he was traded to the Columbus Blue Jackets, where his career truly took off. In Columbus, Bobrovsky emerged as one of the league’s elite netminders, winning the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender in 2012-13 and again in 2016-17. He became the backbone of the Blue Jackets franchise, helping transform the club from a perennial struggler into a regular playoff participant. His stellar play included a franchise-record 14-game winning streak during the 2016-17 season and a memorable first-round playoff upset of the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019.

When the Florida Panthers signed Bobrovsky to a seven-year contract in the summer of 2019, expectations were enormous. The early years of the deal were rocky, leading many critics to question whether Florida had made a costly mistake. However, Bobrovsky’s perseverance ultimately changed the narrative completely. As many fans noted, a contract once viewed as a burden eventually became one of the most celebrated signings in franchise history because of what followed.

The turning point came during the Panthers’ run to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. Bobrovsky produced some of the best playoff goaltending of his career, highlighted by a dominant Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes, where he posted a remarkable .966 save percentage and a 1.12 goals-against average.

His crowning achievement arrived in 2024. Bobrovsky backstopped the Panthers to the first Stanley Cup championship in franchise history, finishing the playoffs with a 16-8 record and a 2.32 goals-against average. He opened the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers with a 32-save shutout in Game 1 and repeatedly frustrated Connor McDavid and the league’s most explosive offense. Even after Florida nearly squandered a 3-0 series lead, Bobrovsky delivered when it mattered most, making 23 saves in the decisive Game 7 victory. His performance cemented both his legacy and the Panthers’ place in NHL history.

Remarkably, Bobrovsky and the Panthers followed up their breakthrough by repeating as Stanley Cup champions in 2025. Once again, he was a pillar of Florida’s success, posting a 2.20 goals-against average and .914 save percentage over 23 playoff games. Winning back-to-back championships elevated Bobrovsky into rare company among modern goaltenders and erased any lingering doubts about his Hall of Fame credentials.

Today, Bobrovsky’s career stands as a testament to resilience and longevity. He owns two Vezina Trophies, multiple All-Star selections, over 400 NHL victories, and consecutive Stanley Cup championships. He also became the fastest goaltender in league history to reach 400 career wins. What once appeared to be a career defined by individual excellence is now highlighted by team success as well.

Among the greatest Russian goaltenders ever to play in the NHL, Bobrovsky’s legacy is secure. His back-to-back Stanley Cup-winning seasons with the Florida Panthers transformed him from a star goaltender into a franchise icon and one of the defining netminders of his era.