Toronto Maple Leafs GM backs Bobrovsky despite goalie's rocky start

One of the Toronto Maple Leafs' biggest offseason signings hasn't lived up to fans' expectations one month in.

Leafs goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky has made 10 of 15 starts between the pipes for Toronto this season, though he's allowed three or more goals in nine of those games and carries a below-average .885 save percentage.

For someone the Maple Leafs signed to a three-year, $21 million deal over the summer, the numbers they've seen so far from Bobrovsky aren't what Toronto fans have expected.

The 38-year-old ranks 39th among goaltenders in save percentage and second-last among goalies who've made 10 starts, ahead of only the Utah Mammoth's Karel Vejmelka.

Things hit a low during Thursday's 5-4 loss to the Seattle Kraken, when Bobrovsky allowed five goals on just 12 shots. The fifth was a game-winner off a weak shot right at him, which gave the Kraken the lead with less than a minute to go.

I think Bobrovsky took too much heat for the earlier goals, but this one is definitely a killer. You need your $7M goaltender to stop this. That's a costly one.

— Kevin Papetti (@KPapetti) October 29, 2026

"I thought I could help on the last goal for sure, but other than that, they had good scoring chances," Bobrovsky said to reporters about his performance against Seattle.

"I feel good and strong. There's a process, and sometimes there are things you want back, but overall, I feel confident. All I can do is focus on what's next."

Fans on social media were wondering why Bobrovsky wasn't pulled; while others compared his recent play this month to a pumpkin.

Maple Leafs head coach Jim Hiller said the thought never crossed his mind and expressed the confidence he has in the two-time Stanley Cup champion. Leafs GM John Chayka said the same, speaking with TSN's Pierre LeBrun on Thursday.

"We have a lot of confidence in Bob," Chayka told LeBrun.

Leafs remain confident in Sergey Bobrovsky despite some opening month struggles. “We have a lot of confidence in Bob,” said Leafs GM John Chayka. “He’s an elite competitor with a long track record of success. He holds himself to an incredibly high standard, and we know what he brings to our team.”

— Pierre LeBrun (@PierreVLeBrun) October 29, 2026

"He's an elite competitor with a long track record of success. He holds himself to an incredibly high standard, and we know what he brings to our team."

Leafs backup Anthony Stolarz has been the better goaltender so far. Toronto has won four of five games with him between the pipes, and he has allowed fewer than three goals in three of those five games.

Bobrovsky and the Leafs have a chance to end the four-game road trip at an even .500 this Saturday against the Vancouver Canucks.