Panthers' Jacob Markstrom trade makes final Sergei Bobrovsky decision

The Florida Panthers have a new goalie, and it likely means the end for Sergei Bobrovsky.

Jacob Markstrom is coming to the Panthers in a reported trade from the New Jersey Devils.

The deal seems to have Evan Rodrigues involved from Florida, too, but the final terms were still being reported about 12 noon ET on Tuesday.

Markstrom is a veteran goalie, and he takes over a role in Florida that was held by Bobrovsky.

He might not have had an equivalent peak, but Markstrom is trying to hang on in the latter stages of his career.

Markstrom is 36 years old and wouldn't be an automatic starter, but he also could be a quality goaltending option still.

He had an 88.3 save percentage in 2025-26 with the Devils and a 3.07 goals against average, but he's been better than that in his career.

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Bobrovsky was ticketed for unrestricted free agency, but there was still this concept that maybe he could come back to Florida.

This deal signals as much as anything that Bobrovsky is gone.

Maybe the back-to-back Stanley Cup winner Bobrovsky already has a team that he plans to sign with when free agency officially opens.

Or maybe he's still hoping to have a bidding war for his services.

Either way, it appears Markstrom will be replacing Bobrovsky in Florida.

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