The Florida Panthers are set to change their goaltending direction ahead of the 2026-27 season.
The club is finalizing a trade to acquire Jacob Markstrom from the New Jersey Devils, which will effectively end Sergei Bobrovsky's tenure with the team.
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According to TSN, the trade will send forward Evan Rodrigues to New Jersey. Bobrovsky is expected to become an unrestricted free agent on Wednesday.
This roster move follows an earlier trade on Monday, where Florida acquired goaltender Akira Schmid from the Vegas Golden Knights in exchange for a third-round draft pick.
TSN Hockey Insider Pierre LeBrun reported that Schmid is intended to serve as a backup, as Daniil Tarasov is also an unrestricted free agent.
Bobrovsky's Departure and Cap Implications
Bobrovsky, who turns 38 in September, is concluding a seven-year, $70 million contract with a $10 million annual salary cap hit.
His pursuit of a new long-term deal complicated extension talks with Florida.
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Last season, Bobrovsky posted a 27-23-1 record with an . 877 save percentage and a 3.07 goals-against average.
Florida currently has $5.87 million in projected salary cap space with 20 players under contract.
The team has added Brady Tkachuk, Garnet Hathaway, and the rights to Radko Gudas this offseason.
Markstrom, 36, recorded a 23-19-1 record with a 3.07 goals-against average and an . 883 save percentage last season.
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He enters the first year of a two-year, $12 million contract with a $6 million cap hit.
