The Florida Panthers kicked off their preseason in dramatic fashion on Monday, September 29, 2025, edging out the Carolina Hurricanes 4-3 in overtime at home in Sunrise. Yet, while the scoreboard offered excitement, all eyes were on veteran goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky as he returned to the crease for his first preseason action after leading the Panthers to back-to-back Stanley Cups.
Bobrovsky, now 37 and one of the oldest starting goalies in the NHL, played just a half but made nine crucial saves, showing flashes of the form that’s made him a mainstay in Florida’s recent success. His presence in net was a welcome sight for Panthers fans, who hadn’t seen the core group on the ice since their second consecutive championship run. But even with the win, questions about Bobrovsky’s role and workload continue to swirl as the Panthers gear up for another demanding season.
Head Coach Paul Maurice made it clear before the game that Bobrovsky’s preseason ice time would be managed with caution. "It’s up to what Robbie [Tallas] and Sergei think he needs, what he wants to get accomplished in the game," Maurice explained, as reported by Jameson Olive on X. That flexibility is no accident. With Bobrovsky’s age and the grind of last season—he appeared in 54 games—Florida is determined to keep their star goalie fresh and healthy for the long haul. "There’s something that happens at the other end of the ice," Maurice added, emphasizing that the team’s success never falls on one player alone.
Bobrovsky’s workload isn’t the only concern. The Panthers entered Monday’s game missing several key names due to injuries and rest. Matthew Tkachuk and Sasha Barkov, both instrumental in the team’s Cup runs, were sidelined. They were joined on the bench by other core contributors: Sam Reinhart, Aaron Ekblad, Carter Verhaeghe, Sam Bennett, Seth Jones, Brad Marchand, Evan Rodrigues, Anton Lundell, Niko Mikkola, and Eetu Luostarinen. That left Bobrovsky sharing the ice with a mix of veterans like Jesper Boqvist, Jeff Petry, A.J. Greer, Uvis Balinskis, Jonah Gadjovich, Luke Kunin, and Mackie Samoskevich—players looking to cement their own roles as the Panthers prepare for a packed preseason schedule.
The Panthers’ cautious approach to Bobrovsky isn’t new. His durability has been a topic of debate, especially after a postseason that saw both heroics and adversity. In the 2024 playoffs, Bobrovsky posted a 16-8 record with a 2.32 goals-against average and a .906 save percentage over 24 games. But Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final was a tough pill to swallow—he allowed five goals on just 16 shots and was pulled from the game, the first time in the postseason he’d been replaced without an extra attacker on the ice. The move sparked questions about his form and future, but the locker room quickly rallied behind their netminder.
"Zero are the goalie’s fault. He’s been unbelievable all year, all playoffs. That was more of a wake-up call to the forwards and the D as opposed to Bob," Matthew Tkachuk said after that difficult night. Maurice echoed the sentiment: "That was more of a wake-up call to the forwards and the D as opposed to [him]." Those moments of adversity have only deepened the sense of unity and purpose in the Panthers’ dressing room, even as Bobrovsky’s role remains a hot topic among fans and pundits alike.
Adding to the sense of stability is goaltending coach Robb Tallas, who has been a fixture behind the scenes in Florida since the 2009-10 campaign. Tallas has outlasted nine head coaches and three general managers, providing steady guidance to Bobrovsky and the Panthers’ evolving roster. His partnership with Bobrovsky is especially crucial as the team navigates the balance between keeping their veteran goalie sharp and not overtaxing him before the regular season begins.
The Panthers’ preseason is a whirlwind, with four more games scheduled over the next six days in Sunrise, Orlando, and Tampa. This stretch is all about fine-tuning lineups, building chemistry among veterans, and giving younger players a chance to impress. For Bobrovsky, it’s a delicate dance—getting enough action to stay sharp without pushing the limits of endurance.
For the Hurricanes, Monday’s matchup was a chance to seek a bit of revenge, even if only in the preseason. With both teams fielding lineups missing several stars, the contest had the unpredictable energy that only exhibition hockey can deliver. Still, the Panthers managed to pull off the overtime win, with Bobrovsky’s steady play in the first half setting the tone before giving way to the backup netminder.
Florida’s coaching staff is well aware of the challenges that come with managing a veteran goalie. Teams across the league have increasingly adopted a cautious approach with older netminders, recognizing that a heavy workload early can spell trouble down the stretch. The Panthers are no exception, especially with the memory of last season’s marathon run to the Cup still fresh. The hope is that by pacing Bobrovsky now, he’ll be in peak form when it matters most.
Of course, the uncertainty around Bobrovsky’s role isn’t just about age or fatigue. It’s also about the natural ebb and flow of a long NHL season. Even after helping the Panthers capture their first Stanley Cup in franchise history, debates about his consistency have lingered. Some nights, he’s unbeatable; others, he’s human. That unpredictability is part of what makes hockey so compelling—and why the Panthers are keeping their options open as they head into another campaign with championship ambitions.
As the Panthers continue their preseason journey, fans will be watching closely to see how Bobrovsky’s minutes are managed and which young players step up in the absence of injured stars. The road ahead is packed with questions, but for now, Florida can savor a hard-fought win and the knowledge that their veteran goalie is back between the pipes, ready to chase another title.
With the preseason just heating up and the regular season looming, the Panthers’ careful balancing act with Sergei Bobrovsky could make all the difference come springtime. For now, the action continues, and the eyes of the hockey world remain fixed on Sunrise.
