Florida Panthers’ two-time Stanley Cup champion Sergei Bobrovsky, 37, moved to the Toronto Maple Leafs this summer after signing a three-year contract worth seven million dollars per year.

However, Bobrovsky was very close to staying in Florida. RG’s reporter Daria Tuboltseva reveals now that Bobrovsky hoped to stay in Florida and was also willing to take a pay cut. Florida ultimately offered Bobrovsky a two-year contract with a six million dollar annual salary.

According to Tuboltseva, Bobrovsky was satisfied with the contract, but he wanted a full no-trade clause included. Florida’s GM Bill Zito did not agree to this, however, and was only willing to offer a partial no-trade clause.

Toronto’s GM John Chayka, on the other hand, was immediately ready to meet Bobrovsky’s condition for a full no-trade clause. In the end, Bobrovsky also received a longer and more lucrative contract from Toronto.

With his previous contract, Bobrovsky earned ten million dollars for the season. He represented Florida for the past seven seasons.

Florida’s goaltending department underwent a complete overhaul over the summer. The team’s new goalies are Jacob Markström and Akira Schmid.

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