Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky in net during a matchup against the Seattle Kraken at Climate Pledge Arena on October 29, 2026. Photo by Jenn G.
Written by Gina Anton
A goaltender's impact is often measured by what happens inside the crease. Saves, goals-against average and save percentage determine much of how a goalie is evaluated, but some of the most important contributions are harder to quantify. The right goaltender can change how an entire team approaches a game, giving teammates the confidence to take chances, recover from mistakes and trust that they have someone capable of keeping them in contention.
That is what Mats Sundin believes Sergei Bobrovsky can bring to the Toronto Maple Leafs.
The team's senior executive adviser was a strong advocate for signing Bobrovsky, who arrived in Toronto with two Stanley Cup championships and years of experience competing at the highest level. For Sundin, however, the value of adding a goaltender like Bobrovsky extends beyond his individual performance.
"Oh, yeah, I think if you have a goalie like Bobrovsky or Henrik Lundqvist, I think it affects the whole team, the confidence of the team," Sundin told NHL.com. "And it gives you a chance to win every night you're out there when you have a goaltender at the caliber like that."
There is a reason that confidence matters so much. A team's relationship with its goaltender influences nearly every aspect of its game. Defensemen need to trust that mistakes can be recovered from, while forwards can play with greater freedom when they know their team has a reliable presence behind them. That does not mean a goaltender can compensate for every defensive breakdown, but knowing someone can make a difficult save can change how teammates respond when things go wrong.
Sundin has experienced that influence firsthand. He played alongside Lundqvist with Sweden at the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin, where the team won gold. Lundqvist's presence helped change what Swedish hockey believed was possible in best-on-best international competition.
"There's only a few goalies you can count to that caliber and for Swedish hockey. I think when Lundqvist came up, that's the first time Swedish hockey realized we have a chance to win the Olympic gold in the best-on-best tournaments," Sundin said.
That example helps explain what Toronto hopes to find in Bobrovsky. His résumé gives the Maple Leafs a goaltender who understands what it takes to win at the highest level, but his influence is also beginning to show in the way his teammates describe him.
Auston Matthews pointed to Bobrovsky's preparation, attention to detail and approach to the game as qualities that have stood out since his arrival. For a team looking to establish itself as a contender, having an experienced player who understands the demands of winning can provide a valuable example beyond the ice.
Still, that influence comes with expectations. Bobrovsky's early results in Toronto have been inconsistent, entering his scheduled start against the Utah Mammoth with a 3-5-2 record, a 3.29 goals-against average and an .885 save percentage through 10 games. He has allowed at least three goals in nine of those appearances, making the adjustment to his new team more challenging than anticipated.
The Maple Leafs need more than a recognizable name and championship experience. They need Bobrovsky to give them the consistency that makes his teammates comfortable playing in front of him. That trust is built through performances, particularly when a team faces adversity and needs its goaltender to make a difficult save.
Bobrovsky's career suggests he understands those demands. His experience, preparation and competitive mentality give Toronto a foundation to build on, but the team still needs to see those qualities translate into results.
Ultimately, a goaltender's influence is not limited to the saves he makes. It is also reflected in how his teammates defend, how they respond to mistakes and how confidently they approach the next shift. Toronto brought Bobrovsky in hoping he could provide that kind of presence. If he finds his form, his biggest contribution may be the confidence he gives the skaters in front of him.
