Does the Florida Panthers have what it takes to repeat next year?

[sawchuk1971]

lost montour to seattle...also losing ekman-larsson to the leafs....

i think its gonna be hard for them to repeat next year...

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[Jacob]

No.

 

[The Nuge]

The biggest reason they won was Bob, and he’s still there, so I wouldn’t be shocked if they did

 

[IceManCat]

The 4th line has been replaced with arguably a better 4th line. OEL played on the third pairing he wasn't much of a factor overall and not a core player. Montour was coming off an injury the year before and had maybe his worst season as a Panther. We didn't lose any of the core players. We do have a need in the middle pair for a RD which hopefully will be addressed at some point.


A better metric would be the other teams improving, in that case we haven't seen much improvement from other teams other than some lateral moves. I'd say the Panthers are in mostly the same position they were a year before just with more experience.

The biggest reason they won was Bob, and he’s still there, so I wouldn’t be shocked if they did

Other than in Game 1 Bob was about above average for the rest of the series. We won because we had an elite forechecking style and the players to execute it correctly. Bob is obviously a key component but in no way shape or form is the team "carried" by him. It's not a Carey Price situation not sure why people think that looking at the elite roster the Panthers have been fielding.

 

[IceManCat]

Also the Panthers have been elite for at least three years now:

22- Presidents Trophy
23- Stanley Cup final (loss)
24- Stanley Cup Final (win)

 

[ijuka]

The biggest reason they won was Bob, and he’s still there, so I wouldn’t be shocked if they did

Not really. Many teams had better goaltending in the playoffs.

 

[Dellstrom]

They'll be around for a while. Tons of talent and very tough to play against.

 

[ucanthanzalthetruth]

The Panthers have been one of the best teams in the league the past 4 years, kept their top 6 forward group and starting goalie, while losing their much loved but very replaceable 4th liners and a 2nd and 3rd pairing dman. Nate Schmidt will bounce back because that's what Florida does so they lost their 4th line and 1 dman. They're still the East favorites.

If you disagree with the above, who got better? Canes got way worse, Florida stomped the Bruins and Rangers, the only reason those series' were even close were because of their goalies, did they do anything to improve? Bruins got Lindholm but lost Debrusk, is Zadorov going to close the gap enough? Do the Rangers still employ Florida's best player Trouba? Should any team be scared of Toronto in the playoffs?

Even if you think Florida's worse, who knocks them out from the East this year? West is a thunderdome vs East.

 

[Sniper99]

Anything is possible but always tough to repeat. Probably not though

 

[Cats2TheCup]

The biggest reason they won was Bob, and he’s still there, so I wouldn’t be shocked if they did

Bob was not even the best goaltender in each series. What a cope.

 

[Sticksandsun]

I think the best team that lost no one of note except Montour will continue to compete, yes.

 

[AvroArrow]

Very difficult to repeat, I'll say no. They have the potential to of course, but there's 15 other teams that will be in the playoffs.

 

[CupsOverCash]

It's not easy. They went far the year before as well. I'd say it's the wear and tear of that over time that slows them down more than anything. They still have a elite team that can go far. It's just whether they got the energy and health at that time if they can get that and a little of the puck luck that goes into going far then I think they can. It's just a lot of what ifs every time anyone wins one no matter who that is. I'd say no but my tampa team went to the finals 3 times in a row, I'd say fl has the recipe to go but it's easier said than done.

 

[SeanMoneyHands]

I can’t see them having enough gas to make 3 straight cup final appearances. Tampa was lucky to do it during Covid but it drained their tank and they haven’t been the same since.

 

[Firsov99]

Unlikely. But they’ll remain a good team.

 

[I am not exposed]

They should make a deep run as the East isn't that strong. But I can't them repeating. The West has some very good teams. Hopefully they just beat each other up so much and it gives Florida an advantage.

 

[sxvnert]

They'll need a lot of rest throughout the year, otherwise they run out of gas before the finals.

 

[Bond]

They just need to make the playoffs and I’ll be happy

 

[thaman8765678]

It is almost impossible to get into the cup finals 2 years in a row, much less 3. They also lost some significant depth this off season.

 

[benfranklin]

Would not be surprised at all. I would be shocked to see Edmonton back.

 

[Conspiracy Theorist]

I don't see why not. They're still the best team in the East.

 

[5 14 6 1]

They lost quite a bit of talent and Bob is 36, but I wouldn't count them out

Would not be surprised at all. I would be shocked to see Edmonton back.

Lol. Ben Franklin continues his Edmonton obsession in a thread that has nothing to do with him. Sad man.

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

Nah, they lost a lot of depth on defense I don’t see how they replace it

 

[violaswallet]

Can? Yes? More likely than not? No?

Florida has played a lot of hockey these two seasons and I think it will affect them moving forward

Most of our most important players are back but I think we are less deep

 

[Mogo]

Montour had his worst season as a Panther and most of us didnt want to give him a long contract and very happy he’s gone and not paid 7x7