The Florida Panthers' new $70-million netminder will be riding the bench Saturday when the club takes on the Nashville Predators, as head coach Joel Quenneville is opting to start recently recalled goalie Chris Driedger over the struggling Sergei Bobrovsky.

"We expected to give (Driedger) a game on a merit-based basis by how he played in camp, how he played down there last year and this year," Quenneville told The Athletic's George Richards.

"We will see how he handles what is a great opportunity for him. Bob will certainly get back in there soon. This is not a scheduled start, but that is where it's at."

Bobrovsky signed a seven-year contract with the Panthers this past summer that made him the league's second-highest-paid goalie at $10 million per season.

The two-time Vezina Trophy winner was expected to help push a talented Florida roster to the next level. But through 21 appearances this season, Bobrovsky owns the NHL's second-worst save percentage at .884.

The 31-year-old Russian seemed to draw Quenneville's ire while allowing four goals on 20 shots versus the Washington Capitals on Wednesday in his most recent start.

"That was a well-played game from our point of view, and we just need some saves to win the game in a game like tonight," the coach said.

Driedger, 25, was the Ottawa Senators' third-round pick in 2012. He's spent the opening portion of the 2019-20 season with the Springfield Thunderbirds, Florida's AHL affiliate, posting a 6-8 record and a .938 save percentage in 14 contests.