Sergei Bobrovsky in Montreal: today’s (far-fetched) rumor

Maxime Truman
Sergei Bobrovsky in Montreal: today’s (far-fetched) rumor
Credit: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images

The NHL will resume operations very soon. Starting at midnight on Sunday night, trades will once again be permitted in the Bettman circuit until the afternoon of March 6.

GMs will therefore have 11 days to complete their adjustments in preparation for the 2026 playoffs.

Will Patrik Laine find a new team? Will a GM convince Kent Hughes and Jeff Gorton to let Arber Xhekaj go? We'll see.

However, we'll have to be on the lookout for fake accounts impersonating real insiders at this time of year, as well as hacked accounts that could well—between two cryptocurrency tweets—try to lure us to malicious sites with fabricated trade rumors.

And we must avoid falling into the trap of certain “clickbait” sites that publish rumors based on mere educated guesses on their part. Some people will do anything to get your click (and your 0.5 cents per visit).

Today's far-fetched rumor comes from the website NHLTradeRumor.com. According to Rob Ellis, whom I don't know, sorry, the Canadiens are “all in” on Sergei Bobrovsky.

I almost choked on my coffee when I read that this morning.

I'm willing to believe that the Panthers are eight points away from a playoff spot and that the Canadiens still haven't 100% resolved their situation in net, but I don't see how Sergei Bobrovsky could end up in Montreal. It would be quite a surprise, to say the least.

1. Bobrovsky has a cap hit of $10 million, and the Habs only have about $1 million to spare under the salary cap right now.

The Panthers would have to be convinced to take Patrik Laine and his contract in return. But why would Bill Zito want Laine when he has already thrown in the towel on the current season? Because we all agree that if Bobrovsky ever leaves Florida, it will be because management has given up on the 2025-26 season. Because no, the Panthers are not going to bring back Samuel Montembeault—or try the Dobes experiment—if they still have their sights set on the playoffs.

2. Bobrovsky is 37 years old and he's happy in Florida. He also has a no-trade clause (16 teams he doesn't want to be traded to). If he does leave Florida, it will be with the goal of winning the Stanley Cup before the end of his career. Montreal isn't there yet.

If he leaves Florida, it will be to win another Stanley Cup
(Credit: Getty Images)

3. Bobrovsky is having a tough season (3.13, .871); he is one of the main reasons for the Panthers' struggles this year.

The Canadiens need a stable and reliable goalie, not another inconsistent guy you can't count on on a regular basis.

4. According to NHLTradeRumor, acquiring Bobrovsky would cost at least a first-round pick, plus something else (Oliver Kapanen?). Kent Hughes isn't going to spend that much on a 37-year-old goalie whose contract expires in a few months.

In short, you can see why I think this rumor is far-fetched… and why I remind you to be careful at this time of year. Check your news sources and think before you jump on the bandwagon.


In brief

– News from CF Montréal:

— – 😅😅

– Well done!

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