Sergei Bobrovsky leaves the Panthers with many fond memories. Bill Zito offers thanks

FORT LAUDERDALE – Of Sergei Bobrovsky After officially leaving the Florida Panthers on Wednesday, it’s hard not to think back to the good times.

The sight of him taking off his gloves and throwing up his mask to celebrate two Stanley Cup championships are iconic scenes in South Florida history.

Wednesday afternoon, just hours after Bobrovsky signed a three-year contract with the rival Toronto Maple Leafs, Florida GM Bill Zito meets the media.

The first thing he did was thank the Panthers who were part of the championship but going further: Bobrovsky, AJ Greer, Evan Rodrigues, And Jesper Boqvist.

“It’s hard when you get to know people and win championships with them and they progress,” Zito said. “We appreciate everything they have done for our organization.”

Zito was especially complimentary of Bobrovsky, someone he has known since the two were with the Columbus Blue Jackets.

“A sincere thank you to Sergei Bobrovsky for everything he has done for our organization,” Zito said. “I’ve been with him for a long time. Not just on the ice, but also through his contributions to the community. There are a lot of things he did for people that are not public. Sponsoring a suite for children; his masks and the various charity activities he did.”

Hockey is a business and “Bob” has opted to get the best deal possible for what will likely be his final NHL contract.

The Panthers also did what was best for them.

It’s unknown if the Panthers made a similar financial offer, but it seems like they probably could have made something work. If they wanted to, that is.

As it is, Bobrovsky gets $21 million from the Maple Leafs during those three years.

Zito explained that he would have liked to re-sign Bobrovsky, but from a business perspective that couldn’t happen.

Oh, and there are no hard feelings.

“Anytime you want to re-sign someone, you think there’s an opportunity,” Zito said. “Things happen where decisions are made and people move on. It’s part of our game. It happens all over the league.

“Nothing but appreciation and thanks to Sergei for everything he has done for this organization and for me.”

Bobrovsky leaves behind a legacy of two Stanley Cup titles and a work ethic like no other. Early on, it didn’t seem like the seven-year, $70 million contract he signed in 2019 would age well.

He could be the next Panthers player to reach the Hockey Hall of Fame, buoyed by the two Cups with Florida and two Vezina Trophies while playing at Columbus.

In 806 regular season games, Bobrovsky has a 2.61 goals against average and a .912 save percentage. In 117 career playoff games with three teams, he is 2.71/.907.

His 344 regular season games with Florida are surpassed only by Roberto Luongo’s 572 games. He is second after Luongo with 201 wins.

Bobrovsky played in 83 playoff games, far more than any other goalie in Florida. His 50 playoff wins won’t be approached for generations.

Zito explained the introduction Jacob Markstrom And Akira Schmid is not something that just happened, but was the product of the hard work of Luongo and his goalkeeping department.

Throughout the year, Zito explains, the staff assesses “what if” situations and who can be available for each event.

The implication was that they had planned for the possible loss of Bobrovsky.

Bobrovsky entered the trade deadline without a deal and Zito reportedly told Carolina he would take his star goaltender in the first round.

So this did not just happen.

The Panthers and Bobrovsky had a year to reach an agreement.

In a strange twist, it was Markstrom who went to Vancouver in the trade that brought Luongo back to Florida in 2014.

“I communicate ad nauseam with the goalkeeping department,” Zito said. “They are significantly involved and are great at what they do. I would also rely on them for non-goalkeepers because they are such smart hockey people.”

Markstrom was “very excited to return” to his original team, according to Zito.

“He asked me a lot of questions.”

Bobrovsky was one of the last free agent signings by the former GM Dal Tallon.

At the end of the day everything turned out fine.

As of now, it appears Bobrovsky will be sharing goalkeeping duties with his former Panthers teammate Anthony Stolarzthey won the franchise’s first Stanley Cup together in 2024.

Stolarz, like many former Panthers before him, received a warm welcome upon his return to Sunrise a few months after that Stanley Cup run.

The schedule for this season has not yet been announced, but expect the games in Toronto to be circled, especially when the Leafs come to town for the first time.

The video tribute to Bobrovsky may be the longest the team has ever created.

ON DECK: FLORIDA PANTHERS OFF SEASON