Matthew Tkachuk didn’t hide how much Sergei Bobrovsky meant to the Florida Panthers.
With Bobrovsky now headed to Toronto on a three-year, $21 million deal, Tkachuk made it clear the veteran goalie was more than just a big part of the roster. In his eyes, Bobrovsky was the foundation underneath Florida’s run.
“Bobby…the backbone,” Tkachuk began. “Obviously, all our lives have changed forever since the Cups, and our lives would be the exactly same and we wouldn’t have won without him.
He was the guy. The guy that you relied on, the guy that didn’t matter how good, or if you’re playing bad, you knew he was going to be great.
He just kept us in so many games that we didn’t deserve to be in, and he won us a lot of games that we did not deserve to win. Just an outstanding, outstanding teammate (who) works his absolute balls off in the gym, on the ice.
I’m going to miss him a ton, just an unbelievable guy. Toronto got a good one.
Just one of my favorite teammates ever.”
That kind of praise tracks with how Tkachuk and plenty of his Panthers teammates talked about Bobrovsky last season, when the goalie’s free agency was still hanging over the team. At the time, it felt like the most likely outcome was another team-friendly extension to keep Florida’s core intact. Instead, Bobrovsky chose a new path, and the Panthers are moving forward with Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid in net next season.
Tkachuk spent four seasons alongside Bobrovsky in Florida, and three of those years ended with Stanley Cup Final trips. Both players also earned All-Star nods during their time together.
Tkachuk’s full comments on Florida’s additions and subtractions are available in the video below.
In Other News...
Panthers Suddenly Linked To A Star Trade Situation Going Nowhere
Dylan Larkins trade request has put the Panthers in an unexpected spot, even if the whole situation still feels more theoretical than imminent. Detroit general manager Steve Yzerman has confirmed the request, and the backdrop is simple enough: Florida is one of the places Larkin would like to land, but the Red Wings have not seen a package from any of the interested clubs that comes close to what they want.
Thats where the story has stalled for now, with Larkin still under contract through 2030-31 and Detroit holding plenty of leverage. Unless he broadens the list of places hes willing to go, the Red Wings may end up asking him to report to camp, which leaves the Panthers and the rest of the field waiting on a situation that has yet to move in a meaningful way. [Read more 🡒]