FORT LAUDERDALE — Two-time Stanley Cup champion Sergei Bobrovsky posted a farewell to Florida Panthers fans from his Fort Lauderdale home this week, closing the book on seven seasons in South Florida after signing a three-year, $21 million contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs.
“Thank you for everything, Florida,” Bobrovsky wrote on Instagram, posing with the Stanley Cup inside the home he shared with his family. The goaltender helped the Panthers reach the Stanley Cup Final in three consecutive years starting in 2023, winning back-to-back championships in 2024 and 2025, Florida Hockey Now reported.
“I thought I was going to stay in Florida. Yeah, but things work out how they work out,” Bobrovsky said after signing with Toronto. “The Leafs put their trust, their belief in me. They gave me a good opportunity to join a historical, legendary team, to be part of this organization.”
Bobrovsky became a free agent after NHL free agency opened July 1, and the Panthers were unable to reach a new deal with the netminder who had originally signed what was then the largest contract in franchise history. Florida moved on by acquiring goaltenders Jacob Markstrom and Akira Schmid.
Olga Bobrovsky also posted her own farewell to South Florida, saying goodbye to “our beautiful home” with photos from the family dock in Fort Lauderdale, their children, the 2024 Stanley Cup parade in Fort Lauderdale, and time with friends including New York Rangers star Artemi Panarin. “Many feasts and happy moments,” she wrote. “It’s time to move on.”
Bobrovsky begins his first training camp with the Maple Leafs this week, while the Panthers open their own camp Thursday morning in Fort Lauderdale. Florida’s 2026-27 season opener is set for Sept. 29 at the Carolina Hurricanes at 5 p.m. on ESPN, with the home opener against the Minnesota Wild on Oct. 10 at 6 p.m.