Sergei Bobrovsky demands massive new contract ahead of free agency.

The Florida Panthers are drawing dangerously close to the deadline when it comes to re-signing their star goaltender, and there may be good reason things are coming right down to the wire.

There's no question that Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has established himself as one of the truly elite goaltenders in our sport today with a pair of Vezina Trophies under his belt to go along with the two Stanley Cup rings he captured as a member of the Panthers organization. Bobrovsky however is also turning 38 years old in September and there are legitimate questions to ask about how much he has left in the tank, especially after a down year during the 2025-26 National Hockey League regular season.

According to NHL insider Nick Kypreos, despite his age Bobrovsky is seeking a very lucrative deal on his next contract one that may very well result in him walking to free agency. From Kypreos:

... 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.

That works out to an average annual value and salary cap hit of $6-7 million per season depending on the term, but even more importantly would extend until Bobrovsky is 43 or 44 years old. That is an incredible commitment for the Panthers to have to make to a goaltender at that age, but it may be one they are willing to consider if they believe their window to win another Stanley Cup championship is now.

If not Bobrovsky will undoubtedly be one of the most sought after free agents in this year's very mediocre free agent class.