Details Revealed For Bobrovsky Choosing Maple Leafs Over Panthers

According to a new revelation, legendary Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky was all set to take a big pay cut to stay with the team, but a dispute over a no-trade clause caused him to ditch South Florida and sign with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Daria Tuboltseva

reports in rg.org that Bobrovsky was willing to take a significant discount to remain in Florida and, in fact, agreed to their final offer, financially, which was for a two-year, $6 million AAV deal. But there was one key contract issue the sides couldn’t resolve.

A source close to the situation told RG that Bobrovsky, 37, hoped until the last moment to stay in Florida and was ready to take a significant pay cut for the club. The Panthers first offered him a one-year, $4 million deal. They later improved it to two years at $6 million per season. 

Bobrovsky was fine with the money but wanted a full no-trade clause included. Florida general manager Bill Zito wouldn't agree to that and was only willing to offer a partial no-trade clause. 

Toronto's (GM) John Chayka immediately agreed to Sergei's terms. He said: 'We can offer a $7 million salary. That's all the free cap space we have.'

Indeed, Bob took that deal north of the border, on a three-year pact. One of this summer's most shocking blockbuster moves was done. The two-time Stanley Cup-winning goalie will now be tending net for the Panthers' longtime Atlantic Division rivals, the Leafs.

Florida then went on to make that same two-year, $6M AAV offer to Jacob Markstrom to replace Bobrovsky. The free agent backstop took it, and returned to the team that originally drafted him, and for whom he played the first three years of his career. 

In addition to the Cats & the Buds, Goalie Bob has also suited up for the Philadelphia Flyers and Columbus Blue Jackets over the course of his 16-year career. His mantlepiece, along with the two Stanley Cup triumphs, also includes two Vezina Trophies as the league's top goalie (2013, 2017).