{"id":464321,"date":"2026-02-20T07:24:06","date_gmt":"2026-02-20T07:24:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/464321\/"},"modified":"2026-02-20T07:24:06","modified_gmt":"2026-02-20T07:24:06","slug":"bobrovsky-to-edmonton-oilers-lining-up-ultimate-revenge-on-panthers-2","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/464321\/","title":{"rendered":"Bobrovsky to Edmonton? Oilers Lining Up Ultimate Revenge on Panthers?"},"content":{"rendered":"

We\u2019re coming up on silly season in the NHL, with the Olympic roster freeze set to lift on February 22 and the March 6 trade deadline soon to follow. As all hockey fans know, the next few weeks will be full of rumors, trades, and surprises \u2014 though it can sometimes be tough to separate what\u2019s real from what\u2019s not.<\/p>\n

That\u2019s especially true for a recent rumor that\u2019s been floating around, one that seems to be gaining traction, whether or not it\u2019s actually plausible: Sergei Bobrovsky to the Edmonton Oilers.<\/p>\n

With some buzz already swirling about the idea, Geoff Hannah of NHL Trade Rumors broke down how the Panthers and Oilers could make a deal work.<\/p>\n

Hannah wrote<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\u201cThe trade chatter connecting the\u00a0Florida Panthers\u00a0and Edmonton Oilers are rapidly turning into a legitimate roar. With Florida potentially sliding out of the playoff race, preliminary talks have taken place regarding a blockbuster trade that would send pending UFA goaltender\u00a0Sergei Bobrovsky\u00a0to Oil Country.<\/p>\n

We initially thought a third-party broker could launder this money down to $2.5 million, but that loophole is officially closed. To make this franchise-altering move a reality, Edmonton has to take on a 50% retained $5 million cap hit directly, which means shipping out a roster player like\u00a0Andrew Mangiapane\u00a0to make the math work. Because Florida is taking on Mangiapane\u2019s salary to facilitate the math for Edmonton, they will demand the draft capital that would have otherwise gone to a third-party broker. In this strict two-team framework, Edmonton will need to part with their 2027 1st-round pick, a 2026 3rd-round pick, and a high-end prospect like\u00a0Matthew Savoie\u00a0or\u00a0Beau Akey,\u201d<\/p>\n

The 37-year-old is, of course, a pending UFA in the seventh and final season of the seven-year, $70 million contract signed to join the Panthers as a UFA back in 2019. Like the rest of his team, Bobrovsky has had a down 2025-26 season so far, posting a record of 21-17-1 to go with a 3.13 goals-against average, a .871 save percentage, and three shutouts through 39 starts.<\/p>\n

The Problem With Sergei Bobrovsky to the Oilers<\/p>\n

Is the thought of plucking a two-time Stanley Cup champion and two-time Vezina Trophy-winning veteran goaltender from the team that crushed your dreams<\/a> in each of the last two Stanley Cup Finals intriguing? Of course it is. But a lot stands in the way of it actually happening.<\/p>\n

If GM Stan Bowman were to pull the trigger on, say, Bobrovsky at 50% retention for a first, third, and a top prospect, he\u2019d be limiting his ability to make other moves in more ways than one.<\/p>\n

\"BobrovskyBobrovsky Oilers Trade rumor<\/p>\n

Taking on a $5 million salary would, as Hannah noted, require Edmonton to move out Andrew Mangiapane\u2019s $3.6 million just to become cap compliant. Then factor in the loss of three of their more valuable future assets, and the Oilers are left with almost nothing to improve the rest of the roster.<\/p>\n

Adding a top-nine forward<\/a> and\/or an impact defenseman<\/a> has been atop Bowman\u2019s list of priorities, and while Bobrovsky would certainly upgrade a position they\u2019ve struggled with for years, they already made their bed with the trade for Tristan Jarry.<\/p>\n

That said, if Edmonton doesn\u2019t like what\u2019s available in terms of forwards and defense, doubling down on goaltending could be an option \u2014 though it would feel like a last-ditch resort, and convincing Florida to throw in the towel on this season and agree to such a deal would be just as difficult.<\/p>\n

Next: 3 Right-Shot Defensemen the Oilers Could Target in a Trade<\/a><\/p>\n

\tDiscover more from NHL Trade Talk<\/p>\n

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