The Bobrovsky sweepstakes took a wild turn on deadline morning.
With the trade deadline hours away, HockeyBuzz insider Eklund dropped a rumor that shocked the hockey world: Sergei Bobrovsky could be headed back to Columbus.
Bobrovsky to Columbus. Gaining momentum.
— Eklund's NHL Trade, Free Agent Rumors (@Eklund) March 6, 2026
Columbus, long considered an unlikely destination, is now at the center of the conversation.
The Blue Jackets are just one point behind the Boston Bruins for the final Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference and could be reuniting with a goalie who is arguably the best player in franchise history.
A Homecoming Hidden in Plain Sight
Before the seven-year, $70M deal in Florida and back-to-back Stanley Cup rings, Bobrovsky was a Blue Jacket. He won both Vezina Trophies in Columbus, turned himself into one of the game’s elite goalies there, before departing in 2019.
A reunion wouldn’t just fill a roster need, it would feel like something bigger.
With Kochetkov out for the season and Andersen struggling, Columbus’s goaltending has been the one thing holding back a surging team on the playoff bubble.
GM Don Waddell has already moved aggressively, landing Conor Garland from Vancouver this week. Bobrovsky would be the move that signals this team is serious.
The Competition Is Fierce
Columbus isn’t walking into an open market. Pierre LeBrun reported that the Golden Knights and Hurricanes are the two frontrunners, while the Oilers, Canadiens, and Sabres have also been listed as possible options.
Edmonton has had direct conversations with Bobrovsky’s camp but the Oilers may be done dealing after acquiring Connor Murphy, Jason Dickinson, and Colton Dach.
Several Stanley Cup contenders are chasing his playoff pedigree, and for good reason:
- .912 save percentage across 66 playoff games since 2023
- .919 SV% in last year’s Stanley Cup Finals
- Two championships, both against the Oilers
The price won’t be cheap. Expect Florida to command a first-round pick or better, though they’re also likely to retain salary:
- $10M full cap hit
- ~$5M projected hit with 50% retention
Will Bobrovsky Be Traded?
Eklund has been on this story all week.
The fact that Columbus is now in the hunt means something changed this morning.
Columbus wasn’t supposed to be in this conversation, but with the clock winding down, they find themselves squarely in the playoff hunt. A deal for Bobrovsky could rewrite the Eastern Conference playoff picture and bring a legendary goalie home.
