The Carolina Hurricanes made the right call by turning down a trade for Sergei Bobrovsky at the deadline, and it’s showing in the Stanley Cup Final. With Brandon Bussi stepping up as their playoff starter, the Hurricanes have outplayed the Vegas Golden Knights and are one game away from the Cup.
At the trade deadline, the Hurricanes had inquired about Bobrovsky with the Florida Panthers, who were willing to listen for a first-round pick. But Carolina general manager Don Waddell and head coach Rod Brind’Amour were not willing to pay that price for a rental. Instead, they went with their in-house options, Bussi and Frederik Andersen, and it has paid off.
Bussi, who went 23-for-27 in Game 5 of the Final, has been a revelation. In three playoff starts, he has a .908 save percentage and a 2.18 goals-against average. The 24-year-old entered the season with just 39 NHL games under his belt but has now become the Hurricanes’ most trusted netminder. Brind’Amour praised Bussi’s impact, saying, “He’s given us a chance to win every night and that’s what you want out of a goalie.”
Andersen, who had a 3.05 GAA and .874 save percentage in the regular season, was the original starter but ceded the job to Bussi in the playoffs. Bussi’s .908 save percentage in the postseason is a sharp improvement from his .895 regular-season mark, showing he’s thriving in the moment.
Bobrovsky, meanwhile, is now a free agent after the season. The 37-year-old had a down year with the Panthers, posting a 2.89 GAA and .901 save percentage. Despite his playoff heroics in the past, his recent performance has left teams questioning whether he’s trending downward. With no long-term contract on the horizon, Bobrovsky may have to settle for a short-term deal.
By passing on Bobrovsky, the Hurricanes avoided giving up a first-rounder for a rental. Instead, they’ve built around a young, improving goalie and have a legitimate Stanley Cup contender. With Game 6 looming, the Hurricanes are showing no signs of slowing down.
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