Did The Panthers Get WORSE? 

Florida panthers made some of those players and some got paid because of what they accomplished I'm not afraid. Zito knows what's up

It's not about having the best players. It's about having the right players. Remember a lot of players your talking about were throw away players on other teams. But when they came here they got their chance to shine.

Honestly every single Panthers departure hurts more emotionally than it does on the ice. Cats arguably got better, at worst they’re the same.

Lundell deal might play out so well. He's not putting up big numbers yet but his overall play is similar to Barkov. Reliable on both sides of the ice. If he starts to put up point like Barky that'll be a steal

Yes? A little bit? Gotta remember that we have young players coming up from the minors - imagine a player like Mackie Samoskevich or Uvis Balinskis coming up and performing in our system better then OEL or Tarasenko

I don't think it's a bad idea to wonder whether this year's team will be better or worse for the cup defense, but I also feel the question that should be asked--especially with the way the Panthers played as a true cohesive unit through the playoffs--is whether the replacement players are as good a fit in the system. Unfortunately, that's not an easy question to answer until the season is underway. I think the biggest priority was met, however: locking the core up to maximize the window, even if that could mean a short-term loss in their ability to compete. I admit that my expectations are tempered going into the coming season; we've made it to the Final twice now, and making that three straight will be tremendously difficult. Still, I think Zito has done a masterful job here in prioritizing a long period of sustained success rather than trying to greedily chase another cup right away. Obviously we're still in a great position to repeat, but the focus is stretching that window.

There's still Barkov, Verhaeghe, Lundell, Reinhart, Forsling, Bennett, Tkachuk, Bobrovsky, Mikkola, Kulikov, etc. We'll be fine, we're just reassessing our bottom 6 a little bit, and plus we got Schmidt now who I trust.

I don't know. Looking at the departures, OEL was the highest impact in the playoffs. But even he was not that important. Think the only question is who runs the PP from the defenders. Montour wasn't good in the playoffs and Tarasenko while wasn't a liability his impact was also a bit lacking, while Luostarinen and Lundell were literal beasts in the corners. Top 8 is unchanged though in the offense. Now defence is the question, they got Forsling - Ekblad and Mikkola - Kulikov still. So they really are only changing out the 2nd/3rd pairing for the defence and 4th line got a revamp in the offensive side. So it's really down to if they can replace the dynanism that Montour could've offered if he got back to his level.

8 Returning Panther Starting Forwards 4 Returning Panthers Starting Defensemen Stenlund & OEL excelled in Panthers system, they were bargains who became steals. 4 New Forwards (1 in 3rd line & new 4th line) 2 New Defensemen I guarantee out of the 6 new starting skaters for the panthers, at least 2 will excel just as Stenlund & OEL, & watch out for a 3rd… Lomberg hurt emotionally because he’s genuine & a true fan favorite. His speed on the 4th line along with/Stenlund helped the panthers have a deep team because of their defensive ability. Lomberg was fun to watch end to end. Truly not replaceable for fans, but we’ll manage. Vlady is the trade deadline steal who hurts. But financially, no way we can keep all the guys who actually left. But Paul Maurice style seems to allow players we don’t expect to shine, to shine: Montour two years ago, OEL & Stenlund last year. 2 years ago when we made it to the cup, we were older (w/the Staal bros), not as talented defensively (minus Montour), but ultra physical since we had Gudas. I bring this up to say that this new panthers defense has a better chance to shine than 2023 (when we made it to the cup & lost) because now 4 of them are Champions, & Forsling is now a bonafide Monster. As constructed, offensively we’re also still more talented than we were the year we lost to Vegas. So, I love our chances going into this season. Defense, Forecheck, Goaltending, & capitalize on other teams errors… let’s have faith in the Po Mo program 😂😂💪🏼

They don't have the money to make big splashes, but they still have their core locked down. The only place I feel is iffy is their D core. I feel they are still an elite team, but time will tell

Their core players are still there which I think is the most important part if they want to repeat. They lost a TON of depth tho which is definitely gonna hurt them this year. I think the panthers are more focused on keeping the ball rolling long term over trying to push for another cup next season. Their window will be open a longggg time. They probably did get a bit worse now, but they left the door open for more shots in the future by securing their best players for years to come even if it meant letting guys walk. Who knows, maybe the guys they‘ve had sitting in the AHL will turn out to be studs

4th line got BIGGER which is very important. Lomberg & Cousins kept getting shuffled out of the lineup near the end of the run because of size difference. I like Stenlund but Nosek is far better in the circle which is key for Florida. Balinskis looked very solid he may actually be on the 2nd pair might not be Kuli. Considering the cap situation I don't think we could have come out better than we did. Lundell is Bennett insurance but it's likely that Bennett gets paid with Ekblads pay cut or release.

Part of what made them cup champs was everyone was the right fit for the team. It’s about having the right players not the best players. I’m really happy about the Lundell/Reinhart signing even though we lost some guys. Montour was regressing but he was another good “fit”. Go Panthers, CUP CHAMPS!

The team will be even better defensively next year. The additions dont look huge offensively but we will be more defensively sound.

There is no question that this team is inferior to the one that won the cup. Panthers lost their top 2 offensive defensemen just for starters... then they lost Tarasenko. They replaced these players with minimum wage players. There is literally no team in the league that would take the current replacements for the Panthers over the players they lost. All that said... this doesn't mean that the low cost players won't turn out to be as good or better than the one's they replaced. Zito has found quite a few diamonds in the rough. That's why Florida won the Stanley Cup.

Right now on paper it looks like they might be a little bit worse. Only one right hand shot defenseman projected in the top 6. Lost both their 1st and 2nd line defenseman on the PP. Lost Stenlund off the PK. The 4th line needs a total rebuild. It really just comes down to will the guys Zito brought in be the right pieces to fit the puzzle. Lundell to me is the best signing he is fully capable of centering the top two lines. It might be a slight overpay for the 1st 2 years but I think it is going to be a bargain for the rest of the contract.

They are definitely a Stanley cup contender. Maybe not a favorite for the cup but that is how they like it. They love the underdog role

It's a pity for Tarasenko, all the Panthers players admit that his experience helped a lot in the playoffs

OEL and vlad were 1 year rentals. Monty was a loss but mahura was barely on ice

No, the Panthers did not get worse. Remember - at the start of last season, everyone was lamenting the OEL signing, saying he was washed. So, I don't see him leaving as that much of a concern. Brandon Montour regressed slightly last year from the previous year - at least production wise. Tarasenko was a rental anyways, and I always looked at him as a bonus. I think a lot of pundits were asking these same questions last year after the Cats lost in the Final... did they get worse??? I don't really think so - the lost some 4th line & depth guys and replaced them with similar talent. I would even argue that the 4th line got better - especially in the faceoff circle... Stenlund got absolutely destroyed in the dot, whereas Nosek is very good in that area.

Anton Lundell will be a 25-30 goal scorer Forsling will be a force on D# BOB will be BOB and even though they lost Stolarz we still have Spencer Night (not too shabby) RINO, Chucky, Bennett, Verhaeghe , E-Rod, Eetu and the rookies wingers. (Keep an eye on Samokevich) Niko Mikkola , Kulikov , Ekblad, Uvis. pretty solid there. If anything FL just got younger and a little faster. It will be up to Coach Maurice to teach them the aggressive forechecking style that won them the 🏆 We cannot compare units until the rookies developed in training camp. They have some real talented rookies , Lockwood is going to be a g good player. I'm excited that FL has been infused with skillful/youthful players.

Yes, on paper we might look “worse” but on the ice we will have guys stepping up. 24 was an eye opener for me bc when we lost some pieces from 23 I thought there’s no way we get better. Right ? 😹.

Maybe a little worse but time will tell. Knight has to finally show up because Bobs is not getting any younger. Lundell has to breakout, and he might, and Loustarenen has to contribute more offensively. Montour is a loss, but he was nowhere near his 22-23 season. Zito always figures it out, we may be able to go deep again

The only reason got Nate Schmidt for ONLY 800k is because the Jets are still paying him from his buyout. That was a good signing! But I get glazing over that and making it sound the way you did. You wearing that hat and all........

On paper yes. However long term I think we’ll be fine. the big thing is keeping Rhino and locking in Lundell for the foreseeable future. Kid is a stud

Yes, but probably still good enough to dispatch of the bruins again in the playoffs.

the players who left where good in the panthers system but people forget OEL was as good in other teams systems same with the other losses you cant know if someone will be good untill they play with a team for a few months rino was seen as a bust before moving to the panthers same with bennet and tkachuk

a SUPER small step back just to have a huge step forward when the Bob contract is up. Also, the 4th line will be better this year than last. Stenlund is the only 4th line loss, Lomberg wasnt good lmao

Overall it's a downgrade, they are still one of the top contender. I think the forwards is similar. On defense, assuming OEL and Schmidt is a wash, the number 4 spot is a downgrade. Be it Bobqvist, Balinskis, or Bjornfot, they are not as good as Montour. Driedger is also a downgrade from Storlaz.

Easy to put together a roster from the top of the rounds with a lower payroll. This enables a team to have cap space to make deals around the trading deadline, as well. Moving on from there, several teams in the division have improved. That "violence with grace" style of play is going to bite them back- this year! We'll see...

Lundell is still developing and plays THAT good when 22 old. Tkatchuk get hood training seasong after being hurt last summer. Barky gets alwaya better. It’s gonna be epic year!

losing montour hurts, everyone else replaceable, schmidt replaces oel well, the core is all back

Of course they got slightly worse. Every team has to pay the cup tax.

Losing those smaller glue guys have a bigger impact than the stats can show

Panther fan here. I think our top 4 lines should be just fine. I'll miss Lombergs energy on the 4th line, and Tarasenko had a few bright spots scoring, not a lot. The place i think we have a lot of questions at will be at special teams. The power play unit will be a work in progress all year. Losing both point men with Montour and OEL will hurt. That means Gus Forsling will have to take a big step in his development as an offensive player on that first PP unit. I have no idea who the 2nd unit will use. (Schmidt, maybe). PK unit, on the other hand, will need probably Nosek to step up due to Stenlunds departure. Im hoping a few of the guys like Gadjovich, Balinskas, Bjornfut, and Samoskevich can improve from last year.

lundell is 22, that’s a great deal for panthers

Reinhart = not overpaid. Lundell = overpaid. And if the rest of the additions can acclimate to the system, things should be fine. As long as the team continues to play elite defense, they will contend.

They have Bobrobski still and lots of weapons agreed 100%. The cup still belongs to them until another team can take it away. Oilers vs Panthers is my pick for a finals re-match but the Oilers return the favor next time around.

i know who got a lot bigger in the division.

For the money the Cats did amazing. We won the cup and now some players are going to take the money and leave.

Lundell is so underrated

Arguable they got younger,bigger and deeper.

Next season they have to deal with Vaerhegue contract on top of Bennett and Ekblad. So far, they got a little worse on paper, but some of these additions can surprise.

I have a feeling that Nate Schmidt will be very good with us.

I guess Zito wanted to keep as much players as he could but couldn't and had to make tough decisions

I'm just letting Zitto cook. Idk he's making me nervous with some of these though.

i mean at least they locked up their core

casual off season take -- Coach Maurice plays/pushes the guys hard. These guys stuck around long enough to win the title. Job done. Time to find a players' coach somewhere.

OEL and Stolarz went to the Leafs.

Panthers lost nothing valuable. Montour is the only one that hurts a bit but he wasn´t that good these playoffs. Tarasenko is just a shadow of what he used to be. OEL was just basic D-man you can replace easily. 4th line guys were not that great this year/playoffs so I don´t mind losing some of them. I guess best option would be trading bennett at some point and move lundell to play 2nd center but I like bennett so I hope that´s not the case :D

Yes

Florida Turtles 🐢

I mean yes but no

Defense is weaker

We have income tax just not the extra state taxes everyone else pays

Of course they will not repeat

Will still be better than the Bruins either way!

Yes more than likely