Maple Leafs' McKenna says he would give up No. 72 for Bobrovsky
Maple Leafs welcome Bobrovsky
The Toronto Maple Leafs have signed Sergei Bobrovsky, a two-time Vezina Trophy winner and two-time Stanley Cup champion, to a three-year, $21-million contract. The deal was finalized as free agency commenced on Wednesday. Bobrovsky, a former Florida Panthers goaltender, will be 38 years old by the time training camp begins.
John Chayka, general manager for the Maple Leafs, acknowledged the age of the new acquisition but emphasized Bobrovsky’s exceptional qualities. Chayka stated that while signing players into their 40s is not a general rule he wishes to make a habit of, Bobrovsky is not a “general person.” He highlighted Bobrovsky’s long-standing position at the top of his craft, his dedication to physical care, and his commitment to high-level performance.
Bobrovsky’s arrival marks a significant moment for the Maple Leafs, with Chayka describing him as a “game changer” due to his stability, consistency, and durability. The general manager noted that Bobrovsky’s résumé speaks for itself, suggesting he could potentially be among the best in his position historically. The team views him as the right player at the right time, not only for his on-ice contributions but also for his mentorship, professionalism, and championship pedigree.
McKenna’s gesture for new teammate
In a show of welcome, the Maple Leafs’ first overall pick, McKenna, has indicated he would be willing to give up his jersey number 72 if Bobrovsky desires it. Bobrovsky previously wore number 72 during his time with the Florida Panthers. McKenna, who wore number 72 at Penn State this season and with the WHL’s Medicine Hat Tigers, made the statement at the Maple Leafs development camp on Thursday.
McKenna emphasized Bobrovsky’s achievements, stating, “He’s a two-time Stanley Cup champion. If he wants it, he can have it.” The specific number McKenna will wear for his upcoming rookie season remains undecided. His backup numbers, 9 and 27, are retired by the franchise in honour of former players Charlie Conacher, Ted Kennedy, Darryl Sittler, and Frank Mahovlich.
Impact and expectations
Bobrovsky’s signing has drawn comparisons to other significant acquisitions in Toronto sports, particularly with Kawhi Leonard rejoining the Raptors. Both athletes are described as relatively older players with impressive careers; Leonard has two NBA Finals MVP awards, while Bobrovsky has two Vezina trophies and two Stanley Cups. Despite Bobrovsky coming off a challenging statistical year with a .877 save percentage, ranking 27th among 29 goaltenders who played at least 40 games, the Maple Leafs are optimistic.
The Panthers’ captain, Aleksander Barkov, had expressed a desire for Bobrovsky to stay with Florida. However, the Panthers ultimately chose to pivot to Jacob Markström, who is 36 and has a $6-million cap hit, $1 million less than Bobrovsky’s. Markström does not have the same championship accolades as Bobrovsky, with zero Stanley Cups and zero Vezinas.
Bobrovsky has been a formidable opponent for the Maple Leafs in past playoff encounters. In a 2023 second-round series, he achieved a .943 save percentage, allowing only 10 goals in a five-game series against Toronto. In a 2025 second-round matchup, he allowed a combined four goals in Games 4 through 7 as Florida advanced to its second consecutive Stanley Cup. The signing aims to address a long-standing issue of goaltender durability for Toronto, with Bobrovsky averaging 53 starts over the past five seasons, in contrast to Anthony Stolarz’s maximum of 33 starts in two seasons with Toronto due to injury and opportunity.
The combination of Bobrovsky and Stolarz is seen as a potentially strong duo, reprising the Panthers’ 2023-24 Cup-winning tandem. Additionally, the Maple Leafs recently traded depth goalie Dennis Hildeby to Tampa for forward Nick Paul, positioning Marlies starter Artur Akhtyamov as a waiver-exempt fill-in and a mentee for Bobrovsky. The $21-million contract was signed on Wednesday.
Source: sportsnet.ca
