Panthers Rumors: Bobrovsky Linked to Montreal Canadiens

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky

We first heard the rumor last week. The Florida Panthers, if they ultimately deem themselves out of the race before the trade deadline, could decide to trade their legendary goaltender, and pending unrestricted free agent, Sergei Bobrovsky.

The Panthers lost to the Buffalo Sabres Friday night, dropping them back to eight points in arrears of a playoff berth in the Eastern Conference. Their two-time Stanley Cup run is teetering on the brink... at best.

Bob's future is in doubt, as his unsigned status has raised questions. Insider Elliotte Friedman reiterated that on the 32 Thoughts podcast on Friday as well:

No extension in sight for Bobrovsky in Florida

“The Panthers, I would suspect they have a limit of where they’re willing to go, but it’s not always easy when a player who’s a key player on a team like that sees other guys get paid... and they say, ‘Well, we may not be able to do that for you.’ ... Don’t doubt them … But, clearly, they haven’t gotten to a zone yet that Bobrovsky is comfortable with.”

Originally, Jeff Marek suggested the San Jose Sharks as a great landing spot for the Russian 'keeper. Now, according to TSN analyst Craig Button, he feels the Montreal Canadiens are the ideal destination.

Is there a realistic chance the Panthers would trade their number one netminder?

Craig Button explains why a move to the Canadiens would make a ton of sense for Bobrovsky. pic.twitter.com/Ufuos9712y
— TSN (@TSN_Sports) February 27, 2026

"You look at the Montreal Canadiens this year, their goaltending has not been strong enough,” Button said on TSN's That's Hockey. “As recently as their last game versus the Islanders, Samuel Montembeault wasn’t good enough. When I look at Sergei Bobrovsky, as recent as last June when he led the Panthers to the Stanley Cup, that’s the type of player (Montreal needs). Been there, done that, won that. The Montreal Canadiens could benefit from Sergei Bobrovsky.

"The Canadiens, for him, I think would be a really good fit. I think he could give them that belief that he's a guy that can win it, and win games solely on his back.

"Sergei Bobrovsky to the Montreal Canadiens would make a whole lot of sense if that's something that Bobrovsky would be open to."

What are the snags in a Bobrovsky to Montreal scenario?

The Habs, despite their standing as the first Wild Card entrant, and just one point out of second place in the Atlantic, are 24th in the NHL in goals-against average, at 3.22. Adding the two-time Stanley Cup champion with a career .913 save percentage and 2.60 GAA, though he's having a down year with the struggling Panthers, could vault the Habs into Cup contention.

There are two problems with Button's plan, however: Bobrovsky's $10 million cap hit, plus his 16-team no-trade list. Are the Habs on that list? Would he want to go there? And just as importantly, can they ship out Patrik Laine's $8.7 million cap hit first (or as part of a deal to Florida)? That would be an absolute necessity to get this done. The Canadiens only have $1.3 million in cap space at the moment.

The Panthers have three more games this week before the deadline. Unless they win all three (and even then the playoffs are a long shot), perhaps Bob becomes trade bait.