Bobrovsky’s First Date vs. Florida Could Get Emotional for Maple Leafs’ New Goalie

Sergei Bobrovsky won two Stanley Cups in Florida. Now he’s in Toronto, and the schedule makers already circled the games where he’ll have to stare down his old teammates from the other end of the ice.

The NHL dropped the full regular-season schedule this week, and the dates are set. The Panthers visit Toronto first on December 3. That’ll be the warm-up. Then Bobrovsky heads back to Sunrise on March 6 and again on April 1. The Panthers also come back to Toronto on March 15 for round two.

Bobrovsky went undrafted back in 2006, worked his way up through Philly, got traded to Columbus, and turned into a legit star. That earned him a massive seven-year deal with the Panthers in 2019. The contract just expired, he walked in free agency, and Toronto pounced. Now he’s the guy the Maple Leafs are betting on for stability in net.

Opening Night and a Long Homestand

Bobrovsky won’t have to wait long for his Toronto debut. The Leafs open at home against the Montreal Canadiens on opening night. That kicks off a four-game homestand — they’ll also host the Islanders, Senators, and Predators before hitting the road for the first time on October 8. That trip starts with a west coast swing against the Vegas Golden Knights.

There’s some real spice in Toronto’s schedule beyond Bobrovsky’s revenge games. On November 14, the Oilers come to town and that means Mike Babcock faces his old team. Babcock coached the Leafs for years and the relationship ended badly. Edmonton fans will have their own opinions on that one.

And on October 19, the Sharks roll into Toronto with Ivar Stenberg, the No. 1 overall pick from the last draft. He’ll share the ice with Gavin McKenna, the top pick this year. Two first-overall talents in the same building. That’s the kind of thing you circle on the calendar even if you don’t care about either team’s playoff odds yet.

Toronto signed Bobrovsky hoping he’s the guy who can get them past the first round — something the franchise hasn’t done since 2004. He’s 36 now, but fresh off two rings. The Leafs are betting that experience beats potential in a net that’s been a revolving door for years. December 3 might tell us a lot about how that bet plays out.