Union and Blue » Blue Jackets http://unionandblue.com A Columbus Blue Jackets Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More Wed, 19 Jun 2013 15:02:24 +0000 en-US hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.1 Does Bobrovsky Have Anything Left To Prove In The NHL? http://unionandblue.com/2013/06/17/does-bobrovsky-have-anything-left-to-prove-in-the-nhl/ http://unionandblue.com/2013/06/17/does-bobrovsky-have-anything-left-to-prove-in-the-nhl/#comments Mon, 17 Jun 2013 20:03:56 +0000 Mark Huss http://unionandblue.com/?p=4580 Sergei Bobrovsky just became part of an elite group of NHL goaltenders on Saturday night. But now the Vezina Trophy winner’s contract is up, and he is slated to be an RFA come July 5th. Sources have linked Bobrovsky’s name with SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL, supposedly they are quite interested in signing the young goaltender. [...]

Does Bobrovsky Have Anything Left To Prove In The NHL? - Union and Blue - Union and Blue - A Columbus Blue Jackets Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

]]> Sergei Bobrovsky just became part of an elite group of NHL goaltenders on Saturday night. But now the Vezina Trophy winner’s contract is up, and he is slated to be an RFA come July 5th. Sources have linked Bobrovsky’s name with SKA Saint Petersburg of the KHL, supposedly they are quite interested in signing the young goaltender. What is stopping him from making the move to the KHL? He has already proved that he could be the best goaltender in the NHL.

March 10, 2013; Detroit, MI, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) during the second period against the Detroit Red Wings at the Joe Louis Arena. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports

Bobrovsky is a native of Russia, and signing with a Russian team wouldn’t be out of the ordinary for Russian players. Most players who have gone on to the KHL either played most of their career in the NHL or couldn’t make it as a regular on an NHL roster. Bobrovsky is neither of those. He has proved himself as a high caliber goalie who could take on any one on any night. So why not go play in your homeland in front of thousands of Russian fans?

There is one major thing Bobrvosky has left to prove in the NHL; can he take a team deep into the playoffs and hoist the Stanley Cup? He came close this year to pushing his team into the playoffs, where they would have been the dark horse in the west. We can always go back to the Kings though, first 8th seed to ever win the Stanley cup, so anything is possible. So Bobrovsky does have something to prove in the NHL, whether he elects to stay and pursue his career with the Blue Jackets is his call.

Jan 19, 2013; Nashville, TN, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) stops a shot during the third period against the Nashville Predators at Bridgestone Arena. The Blue Jackets beat the Predators in a shoot out 3-2. Mandatory credit: Don McPeak-USA TODAY Sports

 

One would think that playing in the NHL over the KHL is a no brainier, but it could be hard to walk away from being able to play in front of your home countries fans. Bobrovsky, his agent, and the Columbus Blue Jackets have a lot to talk about before July 5th. The next season, and possibly the fate of the next couple seasons, may rest on this one contract.

 

]]> http://unionandblue.com/2013/06/17/does-bobrovsky-have-anything-left-to-prove-in-the-nhl/feed/ 0 BOBROVSKY WINS THE VEZINA TROPHY!!!!! http://unionandblue.com/2013/06/16/bobrovsky-wins-the-vezina-trophy/ http://unionandblue.com/2013/06/16/bobrovsky-wins-the-vezina-trophy/#comments Sun, 16 Jun 2013 17:00:18 +0000 Mark Huss http://unionandblue.com/?p=4567 I know the Stanley Cup Final game 2 was last night but, there was something even more exciting that happened pre-game… and you all know what it is! Sergei Bobrovsky won the Vezina Trophy!!!!!! He deserved it, and if he didn’t win it, there would have been some serious questioning about the integrity of the [...]

BOBROVSKY WINS THE VEZINA TROPHY!!!!! - Union and Blue - Union and Blue - A Columbus Blue Jackets Fan Site - News, Blogs, Opinion and More

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Jun 15, 2013; Chicago, IL, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky poses with the Vezina Trophy during the first intermission of game two of the 2013 Stanley Cup Final between the Chicago Blackhawks and the Boston Bruins at the United Center. Mandatory Credit: Rob Grabowski-USA TODAY Sports

I know the Stanley Cup Final game 2 was last night but, there was something even more exciting that happened pre-game… and you all know what it is!

Sergei Bobrovsky won the Vezina Trophy!!!!!! He deserved it, and if he didn’t win it, there would have been some serious questioning about the integrity of the NHL Awards. It comes down to more than just he deserved it though, he earned it.

What a year Bobrovsky had, and at age 24 nonetheless, 7 years younger than the previous winner, Henrik Lundqvist. 21 wins, .932 save percentage, 2.00 goals against average…statistics like that are what lead him to rise above the competition.

Bobrovsky joins the ranks of goaltenders of elite stature, such as: Belfour, Roy, Hasek, Brodeur, Kiprusoff, Miller, and Lundqvist. To be etched into history with such company is an honor that Bobrovsky will remember forever; this memorable moment in franchise history is something that Blue Jackets fans can celebrate for years to come.

One thing I am looking forward to is Bobrovsky winning this title multiple times. Goalies are not known to hit their prime until later in their careers, however if Bobrovsky can continue to grow and mature, he has the potential to be a multiple year Vezina Trophy winner.

Apr 12, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Columbus Blue Jackets goalie Sergei Bobrovsky (72) takes the ice before the game against the St. Louis Blues at Nationwide Arena. Mandatory Credit: Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

 Congratulations Sergei Bobrovsky!

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