The Montreal Canadiens have until Friday at 3:00 p.m. ET to bring in outside help for the rest of the season. That, of course, is the trade deadline. If not, they will stick with the roster they have constructed for the rest of the way. While Montreal is in good standing in terms of playoff contention, they need some serious help in net. Their goaltending situation is not great, with Sam Montembeault not panning out the way they had anticipated, leading to them relying on Jakub Dobes. But if the Canadiens want to stand a good chance of getting past the Tampa Bay Lightning in the playoffs, they need to seriously consider addressing the goaltender position.
It appears a top option just became available.
According to The Athletic NHL insider Pierre LeBrun, the Florida Panthers have made the decision to be sellers at the trade deadline. In turn, they will be listening to offers for their upcoming unrestricted free agents, including goalie Sergei Bobrovsky.
The Panthers lost again last night and my understanding is they've made the decision to be sellers as far as listening on pending UFAs, which most notably include the likes of AJ. Greer and Sergei Bobrovsky.
— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) March 4, 2026
Bobrovsky has a 16-team no-trade list. Doesn't mean he will be dealt…
Sergei Bobrovsky officially for the taking for Canadiens
This is welcoming news for the Canadiens. Even though it's not a given that the Panthers will trade Bobrovsky, the door is at least open. But the Canadiens will have to find out, though, if they are on his 16-team no-trade list. So, let's go about this as if they are not on his no-trade list.
The Panthers are currently well outside of playoff contention, sitting 10 points back of the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference. While there is still a chance they could go on a late run for a playoff spot, their chances look slim, especially considering how deep the Atlantic Division is. In that case, they are now listening in on offers.
At the end of last season, it would have seemed crazy that the Panthers would consider trading away Bobrovsky, especially as he helped them win back-to-back Stanley Cup titles. The reality is, he's due for a new contract, and the team already used up plenty of resources and cap space last year to retain all of their top free agents in Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand. For Bobrovsky, he is 37-years-old, and is not having the best of seasons.
Through 43 games this year, Bobrovsky has a 22-19-1 record, a 3.13 goals allowed average, and a .873 save percentage. His backup, Daniil Tarasov, is putting up betters numbers, as evidenced by his 2.80 goals allowed average, and .903 save percentage.
Sure, looking at those numbers wouldn't exactly build confidence on any team that trades for him. But considering the Canadiens' current goaltending situation, it's worth taking a chance on a couple month rental in Bobrovsky. Looking at the playoff picture and it's current structure, the Canadiens will have to get through their division rivals to make it to the Eastern Conference Finals and the Stanley Cup Final. The reality is, the Canadiens can outscore teams, but their chances of hoisting the Stanley Cup for the first time since 1993 will be greater if they had a more stability in net.
Bobrovsky isn't having the greatest of seasons, but perhaps a change of scenery, with a legitimate top scoring team, could help. Plus, he has the experience to go on a deep playoff run. It's at least worth exploring for Montreal.