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Oilers free agent targets: Is Sergei Bobrovsky the answer to Edmonton’s goaltending question?
Edmonton Oilers Sergei Bobrovsky Florida Panthers
Photo credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
Ryley Delaney
Jun 23, 2026, 09:00 EDTUpdated: Jun 23, 2026, 03:56 EDT
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On Sunday, the Florida Panthers made the biggest move of the offseason so far.
They traded Mackie Samoskevich to the Seattle Kraken for the 25th overall pick in this year’s draft, as well as a conditional second in next year’s draft. They then flipped that 25th overall pick alongside their ninth overall pick, acquiring Brady Tkachuk from the Ottawa Senators.
After winning back-to-back Stanley Cups, the Panthers dealt with a plethora of injuries last season, ultimately missing the postseason. It’s clear that they intend to keep contending, with their biggest question mark now in goal.
Shortly following the second trade, Sportsnet’s Elliotte Friedman appeared on NHL Tonight, noting that it’s unlikely that Sergei Bobrovsky is going to be back in net. If that’s the case, he’ll be the best unrestricted free agent netminder on the market. In fact, Daily Faceoff ranked him as their fourth-best free agent in the last top 50 UFAs list.
It just so happens that there are a lot of question marks surrounding the Edmonton Oilers’ goaltending situation. So with that being said, let’s take a look at his fit in the lineup, as well as whether or not they should pursue him.

Sergei Bobrovsky’s fit in the Oilers’ crease

One thing is for certain about the Oilers’ goaltending situation: Something is going to happen. With Connor Ingram set to become an unrestricted free agent on Canada Day, the Oilers need a backup.
There’s also a scenario where they’d need a starter, as Tristan Jarry’s numbers after the December trade were less than ideal, to say the least. Acquired alongside Sam Poulin for Stuart Skinner, Brett Kulak, and a 2029 second, Jarry posted an .858 save percentage and 3.86 goals against average in 19 games following the trade.
By the end of the season, Ingram had taken over the pipes, and Jarry started just one postseason game, where he had an .895 save percentage and 3.84 goals against average. Trading Jarry would free up cap space, as he carries a $5.375 million cap hit for the next two seasons. But that’d also leave the Oilers with no netminder.
Is Bobrovsky a fit? Well last season was rough, to say the least. Over 52 games with the Panthers, the Russian product posted an .877 save percentage and 3.07 goals against average. When accounting for his stats with the Pittsburgh Penguins, Jarry actually finished 2025-26 with a better save percentage, finishing with a .882 save percentage.
That said, Bobrovsky has a track record, winning the Vezina Trophy in 2012-13 and 2016-17, while finishing third in voting in 2023-24. In 2024-25, when the Panthers were good, he had a .906 save percentage and 2.44 goals against average, and an even better .915 save percentage and 2.37 goals against average in 58 games during the 2023-24 season.
The netminder was terrific in the 2025 postseason, finishing with a .914 save percentage in the Panthers’ 23 games. That included a .919 save percentage against the Oilers.
But having that track record also creates another problem, as Bobrovsky will turn 38 years old before the start of the season. While he’s a fit, he’s not a long-term solution.

Should the Oilers pursue Bobrovsky?

Bobrovsky ranks as Daily Faceoff’s fourth-best free agent, the only netminder to rank in their top 15. Of the four goals on the list, three are on the wrong side of 30, while the other one, Stuart Skinner, played for the Oilers last season.
Despite his age, Bobrovsky is the best free agent netminder on the market. If the Oilers elect to acquire a goaltender via free agency, Bobrovsky is the best option given his track record and penchant for being clutch.
The question the Oilers must ask themselves is whether last season’s poor numbers were because of injuries, or if his age is starting to catch up. 
If they move Jarry, they probably shouldn’t pursue Bobrovsky to be their starting netminder, instead looking to fill that through a trade. Now if they don’t trade Jarry, perhaps a 1A/1B situation between the two netminders could work out.
At the end of the day, it comes down to cap hit, how much term, and what role Bobrovsky wants. That said, the Oilers should definitely kick tires with the netminder who has robbed them of two Stanley Cups.

Other Oilers free agent targets…

Ryley Delaney is a Nation Network writer for Oilersnation, FlamesNation, and Blue Jays Nation. Follow her on Twitter @Ryley__Delaney.

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