Bobrovsky’s Ask Could Complicate Things for Oilers and Other Veterans

The ripple effects of Sergei Bobrovsky asking for what he hopes to get as a free agent or signing a contract this offseason could have far-reaching impacts across several areas this summer. First, he would impact the goalie market. Second, contracts with other pending free agents on the team he signs with will get harder to manage. Finally, for other teams like the Edmonton Oilers, finding a netminding upgrade at an affordable price becomes nearly impossible. As such, it’s hard to imagine Bobrovsky getting what he’s asking for, or the Oilers being the team to give it to him.

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Bobrovsky, a key figure in Florida’s recent Stanley Cup success, is reportedly asking for a lot as his current contract expires. Backstopping two championship runs—and playing a central role in multiple deep playoff pushes—gives him leverage few goalies can match. And, given that the market for goaltenders isn’t all that deep this summer, it’s easy to understand why a player in that position would command a long-term deal, even into his early 40s.

But there’s risk in giving any player his age a long-term deal, and there is definitely an element of buyer beware with him.

For teams thinking he might be the solution, it’s not about what Bobrovsky has accomplished—it’s about what he can still deliver. At his age and after a subpar season in Florida, committing to a significant term and salary carries obvious risk. There’s a better-than-good chance his game will regress, and perhaps quickly.

If you’re Florida, it makes sense to be hesitant about giving him a big contract, even if the precedent has already been set with guys like Brad Marchand. If you’re another team, like the Edmonton Oilers, is this the goalie you want to bank on with a bigger contract, only to learn you’re saddled with his deal? They can’t afford to be wrong.

In Edmonton, there’s another concern. Other veteran players, particularly those who are younger, may look at Bobrovsky’s situation and say, ‘If he’s getting this, I can get this.’ Connor Murphy likely wouldn’t be open to a team-friendly deal if the Oilers opened up their wallets for a 37-year-old goalie who didn’t have a good season. If Bobrovsky gets five years and $8 million annually, what does Murphy get? The same could be said about Jason Dickinson.

If the comparison is better made by just sticking to goaltenders, what will Connor Ingram ask for? Stuart Skinner? Frederik Andersen? None has the resume Bobrovsky does, but all will see his deal and react accordingly. Skinner took the Oilers to two Stanley Cup Finals.

Perhaps someone like Ingram doesn’t have the leverage to justify asking for more than Edmonton is willing to pay. Then again, if Bobrovsky gets $40 million, it might not matter, as negotiations will get more difficult. The market will have thinned even further with Bobrovsky, either getting too much or falling outside Edmonton’s price range.

Bobrovsky’s negotiations could get interesting. There’s a chance he could test the market, but several teams will be out of the running if he’s willing to leave Florida to get a bigger payday.

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