MAJOR: One of the NHL's Most Expensive Players Nearly Bought Out
The Florida Panthers are arguably the best team in the entire NHL from the goaltender to the forward group and the veteran blue line, but it's the play of their elite net minder that may make them Stanley Cup favourites in 2023-24.
Sergei Bobrovksy almost bought out?
It hasn't always been that way for Bobrovsky however, as this time last year he was at risk of being bought out by a team that was struggling mightily.
Since February 1st, Bob ranks (amongst #NHL goalies w/ 10+ GP):
• 𝟐𝐧𝐝 in save percentage (.946)
• 𝟏𝐬𝐭 in goals against average (1.50)
• 𝐓-𝟏𝐬𝐭 in shutouts (2)
• 𝟑𝐫𝐝 in goals saved above expected (+11.40)
On top of being a top flight goaltender this year, Bob put together one of the best postseason performances by a goaltender in recent memory last season, backstopping the wildcard Panthers to a Stanley Cup Final appearance.
With three years left on his deal at a $10 million cap hit per year however, the Panthers decided to hang onto their veteran goaltender, and it may have been the move that saved the franchise's success.
Now, loaded with talent such as Matthew Tkachuk, Alexandar Barkov, Sam Bennett, Sam Reinhart and many others, they are one of the favourites for the Stanley Cup this season in front of Bobrovsky.
In 2023-24, the 35-year old has put up an impressive .918 save percentage along with a 2.29 GAA, and it's safe to say that the Panthers are ecstatic that they didn't buy him out after all, as they've had one Stanley Cup Finals appearance, with the hopes of another this season.
| POLL | ||
MARS 13 | 119 ANSWERS MAJOR: One of the NHL's Most Expensive Players Nearly Bought Out Will the Florida Panthers win the Stanley Cup in 2023-24? | ||
| Yes | 39 | 32.8 % |
| No | 80 | 67.2 % |
| LIST OF POLLS | ||
| G | A | PTS | ||
| Zachary Werenski | 2 | 3 | 5 | |
| Sean Monahan | 1 | 3 | 4 | |
| Jesper Bratt | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Frederick Gaudreau | 2 | 1 | 3 | |
| Jack Hughes | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Nikita Kucherov | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Mackenzie Weegar | - | 3 | 3 | |
| Kent Johnson | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Alexander Wennberg | 2 | - | 2 | |
| Mitchell Chaffee | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Anthony Cirelli | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Matthew Coronato | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Marcus Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Nick Foligno | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Conor Geekie | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Brandon Hagel | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Stefan Noesen | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Corey Perry | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Igor Sharangovich | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Dmitry Voronkov | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| Complete stats | ||||
| STANDINGS 2024-2025 | ||||||
TOP 10 | GP | W | L | OL | PTS | |
Jets | 19 | 16 | 3 | - | 32 | |
Wild | 19 | 13 | 3 | 3 | 29 | |
Hurricanes | 19 | 14 | 5 | - | 28 | |
Devils | 22 | 13 | 7 | 2 | 28 | |
Capitals | 19 | 13 | 5 | 1 | 27 | |
Golden Knights | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Maple Leafs | 20 | 12 | 6 | 2 | 26 | |
Rangers | 18 | 12 | 5 | 1 | 25 | |
Panthers | 20 | 12 | 7 | 1 | 25 | |
Flames | 20 | 11 | 6 | 3 | 25 | |
| Conference | Cumulative | ||||||