The Columbus Blue Jackets have re-signed their Vezina winning goaltender, just days before he was scheduled to become a restricted free agent, inking Sergei Bobrovsky to a 2 year deal worth just under $12 million. The deal will carry an annual cap hit of just under $6 million per season.
Bobrovsky was acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers last offseason, and took the reigns with the Blue Jackets winning the starting job from incumbent Steve Mason. Bobrovsky enjoyed a stellar breakout season in 2012-13, posting a 21-11-6 record with a .932 save percentage and 2.00 goals-against average. The season was enough to have NHL GM’s vote Bobrovsky as the NHL’s best goaltender last year, awarding him the Vezina trophy.
Bobrovsky has spent three seasons in the NHL, going 63-34 in 121 career games. His career numbers include a 2.49 goals-against average and a .917 save percentage. He had a solid rookie campaign in Philly, but struggled in his second year leading to the trade to Columbus. Interestingly enough, the only goalie on the current Flyers roster is the aforementioned Steve Mason.
Bobrovsky, 24, was scheduled to become a restricted free agent on July 5th. It had been reported that there were significant big money offers for him to return to Russia and play in the KHL. Instead he returns to Columbus as they move to the NHL’s Eastern Conference for next season, and look for what would be only the second playoff appearance in team history next season.
Under the rules of the CBA, Bobrovsky will be a restricted free agent when his deal expires in 2015.
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