How Sergei Bobrovsky will influence the Maple Leafs on and off the ice

Having a good goalie who has experienced the long playoff drives of Sergei Bobrovsky will make an impression on all Toronto players.

Published Sep 14, 2026  •  2 minute read

Toronto Maple Leafs' Sergei Bobrovsky during the team's charity golf event. Lance Hornby/Toronto Sun

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Just like his huge role on game nights will be behind the Maple Leafs, Sergei Bobrovsky considers strengthening the masthead a big part of his day job. 

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The recent gathering of new Toronto management for a team leadership dinner had ‘Bob’ with a prominent seat at the table with John Chayka, Mats Sundin, coach Jim Hiller, captain Auston Matthews and his alternates. 

WHAT DOES BRINGING IN A PLAYER OF BOBROVSKY’S STATURE MEAN?

“It’s all about how we build the chemistry, build the belief inside the locker room,” two-time Stanley Cup winner Bobrovsky said Monday at the MLSE Foundation. “To get together, go for the challenges and get closer together.” 

Matthews, former captain John Tavares, Morgan Rielly and, before he departed, Mitch Marner, mostly have guided the ship internally in recent years but great regular seasons never translated to a lengthy playoff run. 

Enter Bobrovsky, part of two Cups in Florida and a few elongated springs. 

Chayka told The Athletic’s Chris Johnston that Bobrovsky laid out the day-to-day process of a Cup winner during their meal and that hearing it from someone who’d been there and done that had “really resonated.”

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HOW HAS THE GOALIE HANDLED LEAVING FLORIDA?

Bobrovsky has been in Toronto for a month, his longest summer of non-playoffs since 2021.

With his three-year, $21-million US contract, he has found a home and in the past few days cut his last ties to Florida with an Instagram post thanking its fans with a photo of him and the Cup on a stairway in his previous house.

“I’m not the only new guy here,” he reminded, preceded to the podium on Monday by three of that large crew — defenceman Darren Raddysh, Emil Andrae and winger Nick Paul.

In addition to Raddysh and Andrae, there were enough checking forwards brought in to completely change last season’s third and fourth lines and we haven’t even mentioned No. 1 overall pick Gavin McKenna up front.

WHAT SHAPE IS BOB IN NEARING 38?

Rather matter-of-factly, Bobrovsky said his health was 100% nearing his 38th birthday on Sunday, gReat news after the Leafs’ ongoing issues with goalie Anthony Stolarz and the traded Joseph Woll. 

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Bobrovsky also is pumped to be re-united with fitness coach Andy O’Brien, now in charge of the overall Leafs’ program. With May and June off, the goalie was able to build up his cardio this off-season versus a long recovery period from four post-season rounds.

It’s expected the Leafs will have a load management system in place for the coming 84-game schedule, utilizing Stolarz or Russian Artus Akhtyamov, who won the Calder Cup with the Marlies, but who can look to his decorated countryman for mentorship. 

“It’s great to have a reunion with (Stolarz),” Bobrovsky said. “I look forward to having us support each other and giving this team the best chance to win every night. 

“This is one of the most iconic teams in hockey. In a big franchise, there are responsibilities and commitment. I’m looking forward to enjoying it all.” 

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