{"id":779588,"date":"2026-07-04T10:23:24","date_gmt":"2026-07-04T10:23:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/779588\/"},"modified":"2026-07-04T10:23:24","modified_gmt":"2026-07-04T10:23:24","slug":"how-leafs-new-goalie-sergei-bobrovsky-aims-to-prove-himself","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/779588\/","title":{"rendered":"How Leafs’ new goalie Sergei Bobrovsky aims to prove himself"},"content":{"rendered":"

Article content<\/p>\n

Sergei Bobrovsky comes to town, lauded as both a great goalie and one who can make players around him better.<\/p>\n

Article content<\/p>\n

In the broader canvas of the blue paint, the Maple Leafs hope that applies to Anthony Stolarz \u2014 Bobrovsky\u2019s former running mate with the Florida Panthers \u2014 and rising young countryman Artur Akhtyamov, who could also factor in net during this longer 84-game season.<\/p>\n

\u201cStolie and I had great relationships when we won the Cup that\u00a0(2024)\u00a0year.\u201d Bobrovsky said Friday in his first Zoom call with Toronto media from Florida. \u201cWe had a good bond,\u00a0helped the team,\u00a0worked\u00a0together.<\/p>\n

\u201cHe\u2019s an easy-going guy, fun to be around, to have jokes in practice or outside.\u201d<\/p>\n

Stolarz has been semi-successful in his own gig here after splitting from Bob in the summer of 2024, while the latter went on to a second Cup. Stolarz, 32, took a leadership role, vocal at times in public for teammates to get moving, but hiccups in his own play and injuries limited his effectiveness.<\/p>\n

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In\u00a0their last act,\u00a0Bobrovsky played\u00a058 games to Stolarz\u2019s 27 with\u00a0save percentages\u00a0of .915\u00a0and .925,\u00a0respectively,\u00a0before the Cats went with \u2018Bob\u2019 exclusively on their Cup run.<\/p>\n

The\u00a0Leafs\u00a0don\u2019t\u00a0have the same\u00a0playoff chops and\u00a0identity as Florida, at least until new general manager John Chayka and coach Jim Hiller get a better handle on a new-look roster<\/a>.<\/p>\n

WHAT SHAPE IS BOBROVSKY IN?<\/p>\n

Injuries have yet to slow\u00a0the 37-year-old\u00a0Bobrovsky\u2019s average of\u00a050 games since 2019-20<\/a>, but were there a need, Akhtyamov has earned a fast promotion.<\/p>\n

Holding the No. 1 job on the Marlies through five playoff series and the Calder Cup gave the Leafs confidence to trade those ahead of him on the depth chart, Joseph Woll and Dennis Hildeby, for assets.<\/p>\n

Since Bobrovsky signed, there had been widely circulated video of an April 11 warmup before Panthers at Leafs ,where Akhtyamov excitedly met him at centre ice, pumping him for information. Bobrovsky remembered their talk.<\/p>\n

Article content<\/p>\n

\u201cHe seems like a nice guy, a big prospect and I\u2019m excited to be part of his development,\u201d Bobrovsky said.<\/p>\n

Read More<\/p>\n

\"Sergei <\/p>\n

How new Leafs’ Sergei Bobrovsky and Gavin McKenna settled No. 72 question<\/p>\n

<\/a> \"Teddy <\/p>\n

Why Teddy Blueger believes he\u2019s a perfect fit for the Maple Leafs<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

Bobrovsky was not a lock to leave Florida, telling reporters he had one foot on the beach until the team decided it could not retain him at $10 million US after seven years, trading for Jacob Markstrom. Bobrovsky\u2019s numbers dipped last year as the long playoff marches and long-term injuries took a toll.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s a business, I have nothing against that,\u201d\u00a0Bobrovsky\u00a0said, after starting\u00a0Friday\u2019s\u00a0remarks with\u00a0expressions\u00a0of gratitude\u00a0to\u00a0his\u00a0previous\u00a0employers. \u201cIt was an amazing journey.<\/p>\n

\u201cI love the game so much and as I go deeper, I love it even more.\u00a0It\u2019s\u00a0a blessing to be in the NHL and join this team. Toronto is the capital of hockey, fans are excited,\u00a0there\u2019s\u00a0going to be\u00a0great\u00a0atmosphere.\u201d<\/p>\n

One where he can control the environment.<\/p>\n

Lhornby@postmedia.com<\/a><\/p>\n

X:\u00a0@sunhornby<\/p>\n

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