Sergei Bobrovsky was never drafted into the NHL. He just signed with the Philadelphia Flyers early in his career which is where it all started.
Most people remember him from his time in Columbus and Florida but it all began in Philly with the Flyers. He played two years there and was pretty good.
His rookie season saw him come in 7th place for the Calder Trophy as the NHL's top rookie. He went through a little bit of a sophomore slump and Philly traded him to Columbus for a package that didn't turn into anything special.
With Columbus, he won the Vezina Trophy twice as the league's top goalie. His elite play there allowed him to sign a lucrative free-agent contract with the Florida Panthers.
The Philadelphia Flyers should have probably hung onto Sergei Bobrovsky
Since coming to the Panthers, he has been their backstop to a President's Trophy, two trips to the Stanley Cup Final, and one win. That win came on Monday night when the Panthers defeated the Edmonton Oilers in game seven.
Florida had a 3-0 series lead after the first three games and it felt like Bobrovsky was a lock for the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoff MVP. However, Edmonton battled back to force the game seven which changed things.
Although Bobrovsky was incredible in the seventh game and still deserved the Conn Smythe, they gave it to Connor McDavid who was on the losing team. It was the first time in 21 years that a losing team's player won it.
Bobrovsky is also currently nominated for the Vezina Trophy here in 2024. He is unlikely to win it over Connor Hellebyuck of the Winnipeg Jets but it is another thing to be proud of on his resume.
This playoff run should cement him as a Hockey Hall of Fame goaltender. He was certainly one of the best goalies of his time and should be celebrated as such. He also has a few more good years left in him so we'll see how he carries on.