Report: Bobrovsky out, Quick in for Blue Jackets?

This past weekend reports began to surface that indicated the Florida Panthers are interested in acquiring both Artemi Panarin and Sergei Bobrovsky from the Columbus Blue Jackets, likely as a prelude to offering them both long-term, eight year contracts so as to scoop them up from other potential suitors on the free agent market.

It’s a move that certainly makes a lot of sense, especially in Bobrovsky’s case given that the Panthers’ starting goalie, Roberto Luongo, is now nearly 40 years old and has had injury issues the past two seasons. The Panthers are a much better hockey team than their record shows and goaltending can largely be to blame. Luongo has been good, even great, when healthy but his body is simply deteriorating to the point where he cannot be relied on to be a true #1 goalie for much longer. Backup James Reimer is simply inconsistent. It’s been the knock on him his entire career. Enter: Goalie Bob.

There’s no doubt that Bobrovsky would give the Panthers some stability in goal, but… what would the Blue Jackets then do? They’re a playoff team and they don’t seem to keen to give up their starting net minder as we head into the stretch drive. 

Well, Los Angeles Kings insider John Hoven reported yesterday that the Blue Jackets and Kings have had discussions regarding Kings goalie Jonathan Quick and that IF Bobrovsky is traded, don’t be surprised if the Blue Jackets scoop up Quick to fill his spot.

Check it out:

If the Florida Panthers can somehow pull off a trade with Columbus for goalie Sergei Bobrovsky, don’t be surprised to see the Blue Jackets announce a deal for Quick soon thereafter. From what we understand, preliminary discussions have taken place and the interest is there. There’s a lot of ifs tied to this scenario; however, it makes good sense on many levels. 

Quick certainly makes a lot of sense for CBJ should the elect to trade Bobrovsky, at least in the short term. The problem is that Quick is 33 years old and is owed nearly $6 million against the cap for the next four seasons. Then again, the Blue Jackets would have to pay MUCH more for Bobrovsky both in term and dollars should they convince him to re-sign, the real question is… what’s the drop off in performance from Bob to Quick? Is it worth it?

There’s a lot of ifs tied to this scenario; however, it makes good sense on many levels. CBJ GM Jarmo Kekalainen has to be coming to grips with the fact he will likely lose his top two free agents this summer. Trading them now could hamper their playoff aspirations. Yet, adding Quick would give them cost certainty in net for a few years (Bob is reportedly looking for Carey Price-type money, which is about $10M per season x eight years) and provide a solid mentor for young Joonas Korpisalo. Bobrovsky is 30 years old, two and a half years younger than Quick – and without anywhere near the playoff success. If Columbus did sign their current netminder to a long-term extension, that would almost surely spell the end of Korpisalo’s time in Ohio. For LA, the most curious part of the deal would be if Blake could get a first rounder next season. The Kings already have two this year. Having another pair next year could be better than having three this year.

Whatever ends up happening between now and the NHL's February 25th trade deadline, you can be sure that the rumors won't die down anytime soon.