I remember watching that draft. I was so excited when you guys took barkov and left jones available to the lightning. We were in desperate need of a DMEN. It was a shoe in that we select Seth Jones.... Nope we pick the headcase Drouin.
The Tkachuk trade gets brought up a lot for good reason, but I look back at the trade for Patric Hornqvist as the beginning of the Panthers turnaround. Brought in a winner and helped change the culture overnight. The Hornqvist trade was Zito's first move and one of his most impactful ones
The only thing that brings in a winning culture is winning games. With all the ex-Sabres on your team your team should have had the second biggest losing culture in the league, but guess what? When Samson, Dimitri, Evan, Kyle and Brandon played with better players - all of a sudden they are winners - no more losing culture.
@@jeffreym.8957 you literally just contradicted yourself. Sabres do have a losing culture, which is why those players played better in a panthers winning culture. Has little to do with actually winning the games, that’s just a byproduct.
They really only need to figure out goaltending after Bob retires or falls off and defence is a question in coming seasons. But other than that it's only Bennett and Verheaghe that aren't signed for long term in their Top 8 forwards.
they are my favourite team, have been since i was 5 (i'm 25 now). i am so unbelievably proud of them, not only for their well deserved cup win but for all they've overcome to get it. well deserved. go cats go! I never gave up on this team, whether they were good or bad.
@ScottStenlund this year your prob right but with the core still in their prime for years Zito will recover that depth and even upgrade the D as the cap rises.
I'm happy for the success of a hard luck franchise for the past two years, but this no-state income tax advantage is a loophole that needs fixing. It's not fair to franchises in higher tax States and Provinces.
@ScottStenlund disagree. I would say they lost “a lot of depth” The main loss is point production from the blue line. Montour’s turnovers allowed Edmonton back into the series, and while OEL stepped up, he was mainly important on the offensive side over the defensive end. Case in point was him giving up on the puck when Tkachuk had that huge effort to prevent an empty netter game 5. The system we play doesnt need the defenders to be monster point producers. Stay at home, move the puck, cycle, and a slapper to create a rebound chance. Losses on the offensive end are limited to fourth liners and Tarasenko. I believe Lundell will develop a larger role and his production will be up, Tkachuk wont be injured, his points will be up, Rodrigues with a year in this system will score more. Nosek is a drop in replacement for Stenlund, while Boqvist will be able to play 4C or 3C in an injury, play on antons wing, or be on the forechecking line. So while the defense isnt as strong, the defense can still be in position to be top 3 in the league again. Forsling will likely take up PP1 duties as well, so i expect more point production from him. None of the top 6 left, only one of the top 9, we return 4 out of 6 defenders… I think the claims of losing depth are far overblown. No sane GM would be spending 5-6 mil on their fourth line, yet those are the contracts those guys earned.
@mrabon8 The Vezina finalist this year is still in his prime. That shouldn't be argued. He'll be on the downside when he no longer can sustain great play. He was also 4th in time on ice. He hasn't shown any signs of slowing down.
I travel to Fort Lauderdale a lot. For years I would buy tickets to game on the secondary market, often could get for less than $20/ea. I saw a small spike after the Presidents Trophy season, but after last year prices skyrocketed. I could tell this year was a big attendance bump…next year probably will be another bump. As an organization, they’ve done well enough and should sustain success enough that the idea hockey in south FL doesn’t work is getting buried.
@@coastaku1954 - They finished with the 9th highest average attendance in the entire league this year. I guarantee you the league owners don’t care about seeing hockey pucks on the beach, the one thing they want to see is butts in seats. Florida has that now, so I guarantee you the league is thrilled with what they are seeing (and don’t care at all about your ridiculous criteria…)
@@MrCusefan44 I don't see south Florida embracing hockey though. 18k people is one thing, but the south Florida region has millions. If I start seeing billboards advertising hockey, or statues or just something that shows that hockey is there, then I'd believe it Like in Vegas, before they even won the cup, there were billboards all over the city, there was a giant puck outfront of the arena with the teams' logo on it, casino personnel at MGM Grand were wearing jerseys, people have Golden Knights license plates and plate borders. It really felt like Vegas LOVED hockey. I don't get that vibe when I go to Florida, though granted, I haven't been to florida since 2016 and I only stay in the Orlando area
@@coastaku1954 - You haven’t been to Florida in eight years, weren’t even in south Florida at that point - yet you think you know exactly what is going on related to Florida Panthers hockey in that area anyway? You basically just admitted you have no idea what you are talking about, but are going to confidently hold on to your uninformed opinion anyway. You do you…but you’re just embarrassing yourself if you continue to comment any further.
LETS GO CATS!! Finally, it only took my whole life for this team to be talked about. The core is good, Bob's contract that looked terrible now looks great and I mean what can you say about the young guys and the random plug and play players that took on such big roles notably one of the top defensemen in Forsling. Thank you Shannon for making mine and many others day with the video you are a machine!!
Watching the Panthers turnaround has been great, to think its possible they haven't peaked yet is crazy. The current regime could have this team as a major contender for a long time.
True, this team is basically a mini-Dynasty right now. No matter what people say, the President's Trophy is a championship even if it's not celebrated. The soccer world calls the regular season champion the league champion. Three straight years of best record or Finals appearance is not common. They now have almost their entire core locked up for a minimum of 6 years. All of who are in their prime. Should one or two draft picks, trades, or free agents step up the way several of their previous trades have, they will undoubtedly be a contender for President's Trophy and Stanley Cup for the foreseeable future (assuming no multiple major injuries of course).
Always appreciate the Panthers' coverage, Shannon. People have selective amnesia. When teams are a shyteshow in the front office, which leads to losses on the ice, most markets attendance will suffer. Those years, which we lovingly call "the decades of darkness" down here, were beyond sad. We were the laughing stock of the league for how inept we were at everything. Thankfully, an owner who wasn’t a complete buffoon bought the team. Little by little, changes were made that landed us where we are today. Holy crap. The 30 years I've spent rooting for this team almost killed me. In the end, it was all worth it. Finally, Stanley Cup Champions 😭😭 #GOCATSGO
What I think is an underappreciated thing about the Panthers is how they've kept players in the organization after they've retired. There's a knowledge base they've kept in house that is essential.
For all the FLA fans commenting in this thread: I'm sure Zito will figure out how to put together a competitive team for the coming season. But even if the Panthers don't win again in your lifetime, no one and nothing can ever take 2023-24 from you. Cherish it, savor it, enjoy it. If you made it to the parade and the victory rally, I'm sure you'll never forget it (I'm sure you have plenty of pics on your phone). Take it from someone who experienced something similar in 2012.
@@rjcraig6302 I think I felt happiest of all for Bob Miller, who had been the Kings' play-by-play man for as long as I had followed the team (40 years at that point). He said that, after the Kings got knocked out of the playoffs (if they even made the playoffs) he and his colleagues would wonder if they would ever know what it's like to win the Cup. Miller would laugh and say, "I'll bet it happens the year after I retire." Happily, he retired with two rings.
OTOH this sentiment is 100% true, the memes are obsolete and won't come back for decades. OTOH... Canada in general and the Toronto Maple Leafs in particular.
@@douglassun8456 bingo! And I’m a devils fan and New York rangers fans always brag about our struggling years and not making the playoffs much. And not having a bigger Fanbase. Those trolls know nothing about other fanbases. We may not win our 4th cup in the coming decade or haven’t had any success but be thankful it happened. I was around 9 when the devils last one a cup. Nobody can ever take that magic away.
As a Jets fan, I didn't feel conflicted at all. Maurice was never the problem here, the locker room was. I couldn't be happier for him (and I'm not just saying that because after he won he said he hopes we win next)
Unfortunately, it is a regular season award, otherwise he most likely would have won . Remember, he came to a team that won the President's trophy and the following season they were tied for 17th, needing luck to make the playoffs. Had they won the President's Trophy again, and they almost did if not for a major bad streak 2/3 of the way through the season, he might have won.
At least finally there is ONE man with a reasonable understanding of attendance issues AROUND the league when a team has issues making the playoffs. Look at Buffalo's attendance at the half point. It was half empty. Yes, the season tickets are sold out now. Good for us. But we had to have a great owner, one who understood what it means to be a winner. Ownership matters. Shannon, excellent analysis. It's spot on. Brilliant mate.
Booth and Campbell played less than a month together but the point still remains. That 2011-2012 season was the first glimmer of hope for many young fans like myself. I remember when they brought in Brian Campbell that was a sign to the fans that they were actually trying to win. Regardless of the shenanigans that happened after that.
On the one hand, I'm disappointed another American fan base celebrated with the Cup, but I'm glad we got a new champion. Florida's been around long enough that they deserved some success.
The good or bad news depending on who you cheer for, is that Bobrovsky’s ridiculous contract will end in 25/26, thats 10 mil AAV freed up, more than enough to acquire an additional star or 2/3 very solid players. Knight is ready and i doubt Bob would cost much if signed again.
Im not saying they are better without him, im saying they are better without that contract, if they can get him around his actual market value they’ll be even more competitive.
Keep in mind that ownership changed about ten years ago. It was the new owner that hired Zito and said "do what you need to do to have a first class operation", evidenced today by a very player-positive culture and environment, including investment like the new practice arena in downtown Fort Lauderdale that's a golf cart ride for many on the team down Las Olas. Players want to be a part of the organization and the fun-loving southern Florida extravagance doesn't hurt when recruiting.
Frankly, Florida turning it around organizationally is good for the NHL since now it’s one less team that has an unstable foundation and has created a tangible culture for the club. I have similar feelings to Vegas winning last year in the sense that teams succeeding in diverse markets helps both in terms of fan interest and in general visibility for the sport. It’s really interesting how almost a decade ago, so many teams were basically in a tailspin with some rumored to move, and now most of them have turned it around. Coyotes and Thrashers are the exception but the latter fizzled out really quickly and the former was the sport equivalent of Murphys Law. Plus, I still feel both areas could work with stable ownership which at the end of the day is the driving issue with unstable hockey teams in different markets. I really think the relocation rumors are done for now and the NHL is honestly better for it.
I'd love to share a video suggestion, if it hasn't already been done on this channel: "What team that hasn't made the Stanley Cup final this century will be in it next?" There are 5 teams that have never played in the Stanley Cup final (Coyotes/Utah, Blue Jackets, Wild, Jets, Kraken). There are 3 teams yet to reach the final since the 20th century (Maple Leafs, Islanders, Sabres). I'd love to see a ranking between these 8 teams. This isn't a "who will win a championship" video, but rather a comparison of who is more likely to break their Stanley Cup final drought. Note the difference between being in the Cup final and winning it all. Lastly, I'd like to thank Shannon for everything he has done for this wonderful channel. His videos are informative, impartial, consistent, and hilarious. Thank you, Shannon! Sincerely, ~ Disheartened Islanders fan
Something I'll never forgive Pegula for as a Sabres fan... They interviewed Bill Zito (who was as assistant GM for CBJ) back in 2017 after they fired Tim Murray, but opted for Jason Botterill instead... UGH
Zito has done absolutely great woek. Paul Maurice already a legend but now with SC after all those years which is epic to be told. Could not be happier for the FLA and by any means Edmonton was no soft kill in seven. Extremely well run organization top to bottom which it was not during the "dry" years which included, sure, individual aces like young Barkov but no cohisiveness. Cohesion indeed came with Paul and took long into last season.
Our 4th line is now a fusion of ex Boston Bruin 4th liners that played under Montgomery these past two seasons. Schmidt and Boqvist will help bolster the team’s defensive depth I am truly hopeful and confident that there is at least one more Cup run with this core locked up. Verhaeghe is already in talks of getting extended next. In Zito we trust. Vamos Gatos.
Great piece Shannon. As a Panther fan since inception, the last couple of weeks have been incredible. Thinking about all the years you mentioned really made this even sweeter. Honestly, last season I'm sure VGK fans were happy, but what had they really been through to experience the true, pure joy us Panthers fans felt on 6/24/2024? They hadn't. Keep up the great videos. Looking forward to another season watching Mr. Hockey.
Dale Tallon changed the course of our team and ever since then we been having success. Bill and Paul really brought consistency something we never had EVER! An players finally want to come here and play. We are no longer a career ending franchise! The culture is set in stone! An the NHL fanbase has a problem with this cause we upset the natural order! Time we hunt again!!
Hate hearing all the talk from Canadian hockey fans saying the Oilers deserved the cup more. In 3 years Florida won the presidents trophy, went to the finals, and then won the cup. All while the Oilers were doing nothing in a much easier conference and division.
Sure there are fans saying the league favors the Panthers, but that's always the case in every sport. The reality is that this group is not very large. Any logical person who has watched the Panthers throughout their history knows this is not only incorrect, it's an absurdity. As proof, just go back to last season when Florida made the finals but lost. Without checking, I believe there was 1 game in that playoff run of 21 games where they had more power plays than their opponent.
As a Panthers fan, thank you so much Shannon for your work and your even-handedness: it can get really wearing to hear so much current talk about taxes/favouritism/no real fans when the history of this franchise has been so painful for so long. There is a part of me that wishes more people could be happy for a smaller market managing to win at long last after decades of failure, but understand that hockey tribalism makes that unlikely. I personally think it's unllikely that we repeat this year - I think it was amazing enough that we managed to get to back to back finals, and I think that takes a huge toll on the players. However, I do feel that we are set up (bless Bill Zito) to be contenders for the next five years or so and I am cautiously optimistic that we manage to another during that time. GO CATS!
As a Tampa fan we’ve seen a lot of Barkov over the years. He’s always been a problem for us. If you were creating a hockey player in a lab he’d probably end up looking a lot like Barkov. Katchuk seems very similar.
Cats fans, just remember that y'all got a true cup finals, with hearbreak and all, capped off with a sweet and long awaited victory. As a fan of an Atlantic division team I am of course savouring your eventual downfall, but in the meantime the Eastern conference is right to fear y'all in the coming years
Tarasenko is the ONLY trade deadline acquisition in the past ~15+ years that was somewhat important in getting a winning comp together. And even that is obviously arguable.
@@johnathonmaldonado3565 Because they are doubling down on the Florida market - 1st the Lightning with back-to-back Cups, now Flor Panthrs. Oilers or Stars will take the Cup in 2025. Cup goes back West
Sold out stadiums??? Who wants to spend the money on a losing team. Fact. 50% of teams lose every game they play and their fans end the night disappointed.
The roster turnover in that free agency period after the 19-20 season alone is INSANE. If you just compare the rosters from that season to 20-21 you’ll see a complete Zito masterclass in the span of three months
You talked about Montour not being replaced but I think that Zito is hoping Adam Boqvist can fill that role. It's definitely chancy, but if it works it'll be a genius move. Time will tell.
We should not forget the day in 2013 that the Panthers got new ownership. All hail Mr. Vincent Viola. Without him the Stanley Cup was not a possibility
the only thing i didn't like was the new, now not so new logo. Outside of that Vinny took garbage and turned into a team the rest of the league hates because we finally are winning after 30 years.
Maybe like 2 years ago, it was said on the news, because it was so unexpected and surprising, that there were available tickets, at lower price, for Canadiens games at the Bell Centre because the team was so bad. When the team wins people will go. It's like that for every market in every sport. The ONLY exception that comes to my mind would be the Tampa Bay Rays. And the Lightning has sellouts. So I totally disagree when people say Florida is not a hockey market.
The biggest qualifier that I saw to folks claiming the league favored Florida so they would win a cup was to sell the idea of expanding to Atlanta, with the idea that "if it can work in Florida, it can work here in Atlanta". You know, nevermind the fact that Atlanta's failure was due entirely to ownership issues, and had nothing to do with folks just not being into the sport.
@@FloridaHockeyFan lol he also draft Gudbranson and Georgiev, touted Rocco Gimaldi and Borgstrom as stars he got lucky w Barkov and with Ekblad (would rather have other players at this point t that Ekblad) but he was the most NHL ready and that’s what he liked. Even Bujustdt was a bad pick… Howden too his 3 1st rounders were garbage that draft and many
@BeyondTheRink It's not just drafting, it's also developing. And when they were in the mist of their development time, ownership came in and wrecked that process. None of these prospects got fully developed. Including the last three holdovers, Barkov, Ekblad, and Huberdeau. None reached their full potential. And these were the best outcomes. Most were pretty much ruined.
@@JeffShafer87 Dumb comment made by an uninformed fan. Plenty of gm's have drafted in the top and failed miserably. Dont believe me? Look at the Oilers draft class from 2008-2016. The great gm's hit the top picks and find gems in later rounds. Yzerman a great example. He's hit numerous picks and missed numerous 1st rounders.
Shannon, as a long time Sharks fan, that Patrick Marleau comment (comparing him to Maurice in never getting the Cup) pierced like the sharpest dagger😮 to the heart. You certainly know your hockey! Mercifully, I chose the Cats as my new team.
Thank you for this, and for touching on the history too! May I add some depth to the history section? (pun intended, lol) I'm not sure if others have already said this stuff, but I would like to add additional explanations to the past because the majority of the comments I see online from haters, pertain to these points. The Panthers have that LONG history of not even making the playoffs. Well what most people don't realize is that the ownership changed more than once, up until 2013, I think, when the Violas bought the team and started changing EVERYTHING. I worked there for over 10 years and of course, I know many other people who have worked there longer too, in a variety of positions. Before the Violas, of course, it was also different Presidents of the Club, who are the ones actually running the entire organization from the team to the facilities, and different general managers. Coaching was even worse. Coaching was like a constant stream of different people every 2-3 years. But the biggest factor was that the previous owners and Presidents just did not know how to run the organization successfully. One of the biggest things people bring up about the past is when they were giving away tickets to try to get people into the building. In reality, if they were producing a good team, people would have showed up without giving away tickets. I remember too, the Violas coming in and saying that even that practice of giving away tickets is like telling people straight away that the team has no value worth paying to come. (Those were not their exact words. But you get the idea.) The way to get people into the building is NOT to give away tickets. Plus when people don't pay for the tickets, they don't feel as invested, in coming or in being a fan. That is just one example. The executives just didn't know how to run the team. The Violas were brand new to running a sports team, BUT they brought in the right people and advisers, and they changed EVERYTHING. They left no stone unturned behind the scenes. They had to do a lot to make the club profitable, so that the county wouldn't decide to sell the arena also, or get out of the contract, which is probably when those rumors about the team moving came up. And they did it! They figured it out while also making commitments to the county for new construction and building up different areas. That is also how the new practice facility came about, though I believe the Violas made the commitment to the county before the plans for the practice facility came up. They helped with revitalizing Fort Lauderdale also. So the county showed the commitment to the team, with the arena contract, which ended up being modified, and the team showed the commitment to the county. Behind closed doors, every vendor contract was brought in house (arena operations, food & beverage, housekeeping, etc). Rather than paying other companies to run things within the arena, they brought it all under the same umbrella, so now everything in the arena is run by the Florida Panthers organization and the Violas. This changed the financial spreadsheets for them too, and helped them make the organization viable. They also improved the quality of the working environment for everyone in the arena, which stands out years later too. So Dale Tallon was new when they came in. I can't remember if they hired him or he had just been hired, but they kept him, and he produced some good results. It's only natural that even though they bought the team in 2013, it would take some years to turn things around. You can't turn around an entire sports organization overnight, and EVERYTHING had to be restructured or changed. Not just the team stuff, but the arena stuff too. So Tallon made some good moves and he made some bad moves, and he was around for awhile. But ultimately, he ended up getting replaced by Zito, who has obviously been the biggest difference maker. Tallon did make some important decisions though...Barkov, Ekblad, Bobrovsky...he also brought in Brunette with Quenneville. I think if Quenneville had ended up staying, we would have seen success too. Brunette obviously did well after Joel was out, bringing the team to the President's Trophy. But losing in the playoffs made Zito & management realize that we needed a coach for playoff hockey, and Brunette's style wasn't that. This is why Maurice was brought in. It did take some time for the team to change how they played. I also saw Wayne Gretsky talking about playing golf with Tkachuk in Feb 2023, and saying that they have a good team, but they've had injuries and have been getting used to the different playing style. Things will start to take off now. And sure enough...The rest is history. The other thing people like to talk about is our 6 fans, lol, which is obviously super old to us. I think the explanation of the history and THG's commentary about fans not going when teams aren't winning, and we weren't winning for many many years, kinda explains that. Paul Maurice has said that in pressers too, that every single club has had bad years when there's 3-5,000 in the building. He gave examples. People bring up pictures of an empty arena from one of the worst seasons in our history, but that's the past. It's different owners, different President, different GM, different coach, different players...entirely different organization entirely! Same team name. That's it! I could say same building, but the building has also changed tremendously since then on the inside. All kinds of build out to the fan sections, and upgrading the HVAC system so the ice is better year round. During COVID, they lead the league in designs to protect the fans too. Their implementations were literally being sent by the NHL to every arena. So the internal upgrades have made a big difference in fan experience too. It just so happens that the main section on TV, is the seating area for the most exclusive club in the building, which is open bar & buffet at the top of the seating. So whenever someone is saying, "no one is there! No one is in the seats!" That's because that section is where the fans are up in the club eating and drinking and watching from there, instead of being down in the seats. As I've seen others point out online, this is also South Florida, lol. I'm sure we have a majority Hispanic community (I'm not, but I've lived here my whole life so I know the area.) Have you ever heard someone accuse someone of being on Cuban time? Hispanics are always late. Sometimes they're an hour late! They literally put a different time on invitations to make sure people get there for something important, like a wedding. Add to it that this is a huge tri-county area, with 5.5 million people. The arena is at the edge of the Everglades. It is a good location for highways, but some of the fans are coming from even an hour away. Maybe more! I know for the Stanley Cup, they were coming from further than that too. Throw in rush hour also on weekdays. So when you see empty seats when the game starts, that's South Florida. This is not the same as other cities that only live, eat and breathe hockey. That doesn't mean no one is there. We have the 7th largest arena in the world, with a capacity of 19,250, though I've seen it with more than that when it's at standing room only. So you can also imagine that when it's not full, it looks a lot emptier. Fill up a tiny space with a ton of people and it looks fuller faster. In a larger space, even at 75% full, which would be almost 15,000 for us, it could still look like "where are the people?" because you see empty seats. Anyway, I can't remember what other common comments people make but I think that covers the main ones. I know it's long, but it seemed like the perfect content to add the depth in understanding. I have to say, I don't understand why there are people who even spend the time and energy making negative comments about us. We live rent free in their heads for some reason. Jealousy? Bitter at the success we have now? I can't think of why else! I guess I shouldn't let it get to me because clearly they are the ones with some type of problem due to our success. Trust me, the building is full now, and we have the best family in the business, IMHO. Can't wait to see what the future brings both short term and longterm!
We definitely had some struggle years that’s for sure but this Stanley erased all of that struggle from my heart personally. I also think Adam Boqvist and Nate Schmidt are going to be more than serviceable in absence of Montour. I somewhat expect Montours production to dip now that he’s off the team as well.
It's been a great few years after much struggle. I live in Canada so for the last 25+ years I've always got a strange look when I tell people I'm a Panthers fan... No more!😂. GO CATS!
I read the description before watching and was confused by you saying 16 years between series win, then realized you probably just typo'd it from 26, which is obviously the case after watching. Also, it's interesting, everyone except Panthers fans seem to think a lot more highly of Montour than we do. He was absolutely insane in '22-'23, but he never produced at that level before that year and this past season he went back more to his normal production level. He also makes a lot more defensive slip-ups than any of our other D (and that includes Ekblad, not sure why so many of our fans are low on him). I definitely think giving Montour 7 mil would have been awful.
last year vs this year. When you watch games you know your team better then ones watching here and there. Montour was a beast and looked amazing last year. This year and in the playoffs, he was broken. Maybe this off season helps him get back together. However aging guy, injuries, can't hit the net, kind of start going, another two or three of a decline then you are looking at a buyout for a guy that can't crack the line up. That's where we are scared. Don't want a Suter on our team taking up the needed cap space.
The FL Panthes had some horrific owners. Not interested in winning only how to turn a profit. Jay Bo didn't leave, the cats refused to make him a real contract. We had a bunch of quality players come and go because they wouldn't spend money. After years of this, dealing with the fire sales here and with the Marlins. You start getting Jaded. Heizinga started both teams. He treated them exactly the same. Then the carousel started. Bad trades. Terrible draft picks. No real players in their prime only washed vets. That 10 years of playoffs in 30 years is super misleading. This turned around when Vinny Viola took over he made it his goal to win. He made a bunch of changes. Started spending money. Turns out, if you put trash on the rink less people show, less parking, less concession, less merchandise, less advertising. But if you put a quality product out there, all those numbers go up and you aren't just relying on venue sharing. The team took to winning when Jagr got here. Barkov and Huberderp was just floundering. As soon as he got here, Barkov become the Barkov we know now. Oh I can use my big body to be physical? Who would have thought. You didn't go to Panthers games to watch the Panthers, you went to see the away teams. S FL is a star F*ck*r area. If you don't have celebrities on the team, then they drama queens going to games just to be scene don't show up. Someone brought the stardom when he came. Tkachuk brought that look at me attention. Barkov can't do that. Lundell can't do that. Huberderp couldn't do that. Tkachuk's off ice personality is just as important to this franchise as his on ice performance. Now the rest of the team is being seen as celebrities so people show up and buy stuff.
Many good points here! Especially about the ownership issues. I didn't think about the second half of this with the "stars" and the people coming for that. But it's a valid point too. Many superficial people in South Florida might only come for the celeb sports stars.
@@genesijesi yup, and Panthers fans can't stand the club seats on the bottom row because those snobs are in the club drinking and not in their seats. And of coarse that's the side the broadcast camera is showing. They should really shut that down during the game and force people into their seats.
@@jimmyzarkis6276 They're never going to do that. Those are the most expensive seats in the building. That is a VIP club, the most VIP one. Aside from some of the season ticket holder packages, there's nothing else more expensive in the building. So those people are going to get to do what they want.
They made it to the finals for two years in a row. What does that do to the mental game for this season? If they don't repeat this year, they could easily come back the following year.
The only thing I disagree with is Montour, he hasn’t been the same since injury and there is no way he was worth that much money. But good for him to get paid.
You could also tell that all the players with significant injuries from 2023 needed more time to get back to their normal play. Tkachuk as well. Nothing wrong with that. It's natural recovery. Doesn't mean their play will be affected forever. OEL is the perfect example of that.
I am not a panthers fan I but wanted them to get better win when people said them they do not belong in the nhl and move them I said no they belong keep in the nhl
Florida has been my guilty pleasure for decades. I was so happy to see them reach the top. A lot of great stories there (plus the usual shenanigans). I'm happy for Edmonton to win the next three straight.
I never understood the "not a hockey market" argument. Look at pretty much any hockey market, when the team's bad, the attendance is bad. Even in Edmonton, Vancouver, Boston, etc. It's just worse for expansion teams because they need to build a generations-long fanbase to survive those down times
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I have been wearing my Barkov sweater, with pride. That said: I predicted that Petey would have won his first Selke, by now...
don't think the Cats have any cap room to add a top 4 dman... the probable thinking for Zito is that he's hoping that Boqvist will replace Montour on the 2nd pair & take the pp1 duties. but, there's going to be some growing pains in that case... even if Boqvist somewhat figures it out, it's not going to be pretty for a while
I'm worried about Knight's contract. I don't think that's one that would be able to be moved, and it's a lot to pay for a backup that we can only hope has worked through his personal issues.
If Knight becomes the starter in 2 seasons as bob winds down, it will look better. He was looking like a high end goalie until that rehap stuff. Maybe his head is fixed and he can be a number 1 as projected. I personally lost hope in him. However I want to be proven wrong.
He did well all year in Charlotte. That's what they wanted to see. For him to get back used to it and be playing regularly. No reason to think he won't be okay.
I can see if my pens struggle down the latter of the season they would try to shop Karlsson. Florida might just be the right team, even with the cap hit
Atlantic Div will be interesting... I don't think Florida will be hungry enough to win the division... I see them comfortably 2nd... However, I don't see any other team really pushing for that 1st spot so they may end up there, unless one of the trio DET/BUF/OTT will jump up...
Even as a Cats fan I saw Toronto winning the ATL last year. Surprise!! I'm not doing it to myself this year. This year will be about maintaining . I can see Paul giving the boys random off games due to the long runs we've had with 110 and 108 games last two years. Will that mean more losses? Maybe, maybe not if the fill ins play well. It's all on paper right now. I honestly have no idea. They make the playoffs, but do they win the ATL? Could. Do they place 2nd or 3rd? Could. Its a toss up.
They won't be as hungry as this past season. But some of the guys coming in are pretty hungry, and Tkachuk and similar tempered players can easily get that hungry again. So we'll see!
@@genesijesi The first 2 months of the season will be a tone setter. Everyone from what I've read is already back on the ice training and getting in shape, except for the Cup days they have set aside.
@@doctorcane Yeah I expect them to not be as focused as last year, how Maurice said they pushed themselves harder at training camp. I don’t think the first 2 months make or break anything as we saw the last 2 years, but we’ll see how the core is treating it. I know the new guys coming in are driven! So I would love to see them all pursue round 3! I just watched a montage from the final and I heard Tkachuk say to 2 Oilers during the handshake line, “hopefully we’ll see you back here again next year.” So we’ll see how the year starts!
They were the year before and still made the finals. 😂. They should be a tough out regardless in the playoffs. I’m betting it will be 6 straight Stanley cup finals played In the state of Florida. 🎉
I get what you're saying, attendance goes up when the team is better. The floor for attendance in actual hockey markets is much different than the floor for other markets though. I think you kind of papered over that larger point.
Is Chicago a hockey market? Those stands were pretty empty for years before Kane got there. That's one hell of a low floor. San Jose after decades of good teams, is now a ghost town only a few years away from the playoffs. Wonder how many teams can actually be down for 5 years to 10 years in a row, and still keep fans coming in. Maybe 5 or so teams mostly in Canada.
@jimmyzarkis6276 some things also depend on arena location and arena age. I think that factors into attendance. In the USA I think of the Rangers, bruins and red wings as being the most robust hockey markets but the kings have had good attendance for a long time too, so maybe it's time we reconsider what cities really support hockey when the team is losing
What do you mean? I will say that when I looked up population during the Cup final, I found that Edmonton, who I imagine to be a quintessential hockey town, where everyone lives, eats and breathes hockey, only has 1-1.5 million people. South Florida (which is a tricounty area, not just 1 city), has 5.5 million people, as well as tons of other activities. The population differences as well as the differences in the areas and the activities, both play big roles in this subject!
@@genesijesi what I mean is that the core fans that will still buy merchandise and tickets and watch the games on TV or streaming EVEN WHEN the team sucks is lower in a market of 5 million in Florida than a market of 500k in Winnipeg.
I cant understand how Zito has still not won GM of the year award.
Boston fans being mad about a hit is beyond comedy
Teams from Florida are their Kryptonite.
Yup not a canucks fan but look at 2011 hahahaha
And to Marshand of all people
Shoutout Dale Tallon for picking Barkov instead of Jones or Drouin in 2013. Also for signing Bob to that stupid contract 100% worth it
After you win all these moves look pretty good lol
@@lanemarsit’s because all those moves that they won
still can remember how many thought that it was a super questionable choice. many thought that they were foolish for not picking seth Jones.
I remember watching that draft. I was so excited when you guys took barkov and left jones available to the lightning. We were in desperate need of a DMEN. It was a shoe in that we select Seth Jones.... Nope we pick the headcase Drouin.
@FloridaHockeyFan but you traded drouin for sergachev and that's the defenceman u needed over jones
The Panthers are champions. What an amazing run these last few years. Let's go CATS!
The Tkachuk trade gets brought up a lot for good reason, but I look back at the trade for Patric Hornqvist as the beginning of the Panthers turnaround. Brought in a winner and helped change the culture overnight. The Hornqvist trade was Zito's first move and one of his most impactful ones
The only thing that brings in a winning culture is winning games. With all the ex-Sabres on your team your team should have had the second biggest losing culture in the league, but guess what? When Samson, Dimitri, Evan, Kyle and Brandon played with better players - all of a sudden they are winners - no more losing culture.
@@jeffreym.8957 you literally just contradicted yourself. Sabres do have a losing culture, which is why those players played better in a panthers winning culture. Has little to do with actually winning the games, that’s just a byproduct.
I could not agree with you more. The single move that eventually turned the team from a punchline to a champion
Cats will be elite for a long time.
They really only need to figure out goaltending after Bob retires or falls off and defence is a question in coming seasons. But other than that it's only Bennett and Verheaghe that aren't signed for long term in their Top 8 forwards.
they are my favourite team, have been since i was 5 (i'm 25 now). i am so unbelievably proud of them, not only for their well deserved cup win but for all they've overcome to get it. well deserved. go cats go!
I never gave up on this team, whether they were good or bad.
GO CATS GO!!
What a run its been the past three years. And to think that we have this cover for the next 5 years locked up with reasonable contracts
@ScottStenlund this year your prob right but with the core still in their prime for years Zito will recover that depth and even upgrade the D as the cap rises.
@ScottStenlund It is pretty replaceable, I think.
I'm happy for the success of a hard luck franchise for the past two years, but this no-state income tax advantage is a loophole that needs fixing. It's not fair to franchises in higher tax States and Provinces.
@@jeffreym.8957 "no state income tax" is just cope that your team isn't winning.
@ScottStenlund disagree. I would say they lost “a lot of depth”
The main loss is point production from the blue line. Montour’s turnovers allowed Edmonton back into the series, and while OEL stepped up, he was mainly important on the offensive side over the defensive end. Case in point was him giving up on the puck when Tkachuk had that huge effort to prevent an empty netter game 5.
The system we play doesnt need the defenders to be monster point producers. Stay at home, move the puck, cycle, and a slapper to create a rebound chance.
Losses on the offensive end are limited to fourth liners and Tarasenko. I believe Lundell will develop a larger role and his production will be up, Tkachuk wont be injured, his points will be up, Rodrigues with a year in this system will score more.
Nosek is a drop in replacement for Stenlund, while Boqvist will be able to play 4C or 3C in an injury, play on antons wing, or be on the forechecking line.
So while the defense isnt as strong, the defense can still be in position to be top 3 in the league again. Forsling will likely take up PP1 duties as well, so i expect more point production from him.
None of the top 6 left, only one of the top 9, we return 4 out of 6 defenders… I think the claims of losing depth are far overblown. No sane GM would be spending 5-6 mil on their fourth line, yet those are the contracts those guys earned.
Bobrovsky's contract is officially 100% worth it.
We can’t say anything about it anymore e
He's on the downside.
@mrabon8 The Vezina finalist this year is still in his prime. That shouldn't be argued. He'll be on the downside when he no longer can sustain great play. He was also 4th in time on ice. He hasn't shown any signs of slowing down.
@@dennislopez1272 Molasses Bobrovsky.
@@mrabon8 He's still the Top cop on the force, pal.
been a fan of the team for a long time so it feels good seeing the arena fuller and to know we'll have a cup banner for the first time
I travel to Fort Lauderdale a lot. For years I would buy tickets to game on the secondary market, often could get for less than $20/ea. I saw a small spike after the Presidents Trophy season, but after last year prices skyrocketed. I could tell this year was a big attendance bump…next year probably will be another bump. As an organization, they’ve done well enough and should sustain success enough that the idea hockey in south FL doesn’t work is getting buried.
@@MrCusefan44 It still doesn't work, when I start seeing inflatable Hockey Pucks on the beach, then I'll believe it
@@coastaku1954 - They finished with the 9th highest average attendance in the entire league this year. I guarantee you the league owners don’t care about seeing hockey pucks on the beach, the one thing they want to see is butts in seats. Florida has that now, so I guarantee you the league is thrilled with what they are seeing (and don’t care at all about your ridiculous criteria…)
@@MrCusefan44 I don't see south Florida embracing hockey though. 18k people is one thing, but the south Florida region has millions. If I start seeing billboards advertising hockey, or statues or just something that shows that hockey is there, then I'd believe it
Like in Vegas, before they even won the cup, there were billboards all over the city, there was a giant puck outfront of the arena with the teams' logo on it, casino personnel at MGM Grand were wearing jerseys, people have Golden Knights license plates and plate borders. It really felt like Vegas LOVED hockey. I don't get that vibe when I go to Florida, though granted, I haven't been to florida since 2016 and I only stay in the Orlando area
@@coastaku1954 - You haven’t been to Florida in eight years, weren’t even in south Florida at that point - yet you think you know exactly what is going on related to Florida Panthers hockey in that area anyway?
You basically just admitted you have no idea what you are talking about, but are going to confidently hold on to your uninformed opinion anyway. You do you…but you’re just embarrassing yourself if you continue to comment any further.
LETS GO CATS!! Finally, it only took my whole life for this team to be talked about. The core is good, Bob's contract that looked terrible now looks great and I mean what can you say about the young guys and the random plug and play players that took on such big roles notably one of the top defensemen in Forsling. Thank you Shannon for making mine and many others day with the video you are a machine!!
You guys have the coolest personalities in your owner and coach too. Love those two dudes
@@nickh4354 Everyone loves Paul Maurice.
Watching the Panthers turnaround has been great, to think its possible they haven't peaked yet is crazy. The current regime could have this team as a major contender for a long time.
True, this team is basically a mini-Dynasty right now. No matter what people say, the President's Trophy is a championship even if it's not celebrated. The soccer world calls the regular season champion the league champion. Three straight years of best record or Finals appearance is not common. They now have almost their entire core locked up for a minimum of 6 years. All of who are in their prime. Should one or two draft picks, trades, or free agents step up the way several of their previous trades have, they will undoubtedly be a contender for President's Trophy and Stanley Cup for the foreseeable future (assuming no multiple major injuries of course).
been a fan since the 90s ....im telling you it was a lot of hard years. All of it has been worth it!
Always appreciate the Panthers' coverage, Shannon. People have selective amnesia. When teams are a shyteshow in the front office, which leads to losses on the ice, most markets attendance will suffer. Those years, which we lovingly call "the decades of darkness" down here, were beyond sad. We were the laughing stock of the league for how inept we were at everything. Thankfully, an owner who wasn’t a complete buffoon bought the team. Little by little, changes were made that landed us where we are today. Holy crap. The 30 years I've spent rooting for this team almost killed me. In the end, it was all worth it. Finally, Stanley Cup Champions 😭😭 #GOCATSGO
What I think is an underappreciated thing about the Panthers is how they've kept players in the organization after they've retired. There's a knowledge base they've kept in house that is essential.
For all the FLA fans commenting in this thread: I'm sure Zito will figure out how to put together a competitive team for the coming season. But even if the Panthers don't win again in your lifetime, no one and nothing can ever take 2023-24 from you. Cherish it, savor it, enjoy it. If you made it to the parade and the victory rally, I'm sure you'll never forget it (I'm sure you have plenty of pics on your phone). Take it from someone who experienced something similar in 2012.
2012? You a Kings fan?
@@rjcraig6302 I think I felt happiest of all for Bob Miller, who had been the Kings' play-by-play man for as long as I had followed the team (40 years at that point). He said that, after the Kings got knocked out of the playoffs (if they even made the playoffs) he and his colleagues would wonder if they would ever know what it's like to win the Cup. Miller would laugh and say, "I'll bet it happens the year after I retire." Happily, he retired with two rings.
OTOH this sentiment is 100% true, the memes are obsolete and won't come back for decades.
OTOH... Canada in general and the Toronto Maple Leafs in particular.
@@douglassun8456 bingo! And I’m a devils fan and New York rangers fans always brag about our struggling years and not making the playoffs much. And not having a bigger Fanbase. Those trolls know nothing about other fanbases. We may not win our 4th cup in the coming decade or haven’t had any success but be thankful it happened. I was around 9 when the devils last one a cup. Nobody can ever take that magic away.
@@alphax4785 the Leafs will forever be hockey’s biggest meme than a franchise. Along with the San Jose Sharks.
Crazy we were regularly talking about canes and cats moving about ten years ago. Amazing what good ownership does.
As a Jets fan, I didn't feel conflicted at all. Maurice was never the problem here, the locker room was. I couldn't be happier for him (and I'm not just saying that because after he won he said he hopes we win next)
Still flying high from the cup win. Go Cats!
Bill Zito not winning GM of the year after the past few years of what he’s done for this team is a damn travesty.
Unfortunately, it is a regular season award, otherwise he most likely would have won . Remember, he came to a team that won the President's trophy and the following season they were tied for 17th, needing luck to make the playoffs. Had they won the President's Trophy again, and they almost did if not for a major bad streak 2/3 of the way through the season, he might have won.
He became GM in 2020, the Cats won the President’s Trophy in 2022
@@KatSports6-lq7gx Yep... thanks... Brain fart on my part, I was mixing the coach with the GM.
At least finally there is ONE man with a reasonable understanding of attendance issues AROUND the league when a team has issues making the playoffs. Look at Buffalo's attendance at the half point. It was half empty. Yes, the season tickets are sold out now. Good for us. But we had to have a great owner, one who understood what it means to be a winner. Ownership matters.
Shannon, excellent analysis. It's spot on. Brilliant mate.
Go Cats Go! Love this team and their chemistry!
As a flames fan having lombo back is a big energy move for us cuz we won’t be good so we need someone like him
Take care of him.
I still remember the days when their best players were Weiss,Booth and Campbell
Facts
UGH. There were some really dark years.
Booth and Campbell played less than a month together but the point still remains. That 2011-2012 season was the first glimmer of hope for many young fans like myself. I remember when they brought in Brian Campbell that was a sign to the fans that they were actually trying to win. Regardless of the shenanigans that happened after that.
On the one hand, I'm disappointed another American fan base celebrated with the Cup, but I'm glad we got a new champion. Florida's been around long enough that they deserved some success.
Understood. I know everyone defends their team till the end. But our guys worked their ass off and couldn’t of had a better opportunity
Outstanding Panther post cup evaluation. Thank you. Really enjoy your channel and honesty on all hockey matters,.🐆👍🏻
The good or bad news depending on who you cheer for, is that Bobrovsky’s ridiculous contract will end in 25/26, thats 10 mil AAV freed up, more than enough to acquire an additional star or 2/3 very solid players.
Knight is ready and i doubt Bob would cost much if signed again.
I believe Bob could retire as a Panther, 3x3 million
Lol, Bob is one of the few reasons Florida got as far as they did. Remove him and the team is cooked.
Im not saying they are better without him, im saying they are better without that contract, if they can get him around his actual market value they’ll be even more competitive.
@@Theguywholikedthethinginthevid yeah thanks for the brilliant analysis
Keep in mind that ownership changed about ten years ago. It was the new owner that hired Zito and said "do what you need to do to have a first class operation", evidenced today by a very player-positive culture and environment, including investment like the new practice arena in downtown Fort Lauderdale that's a golf cart ride for many on the team down Las Olas. Players want to be a part of the organization and the fun-loving southern Florida extravagance doesn't hurt when recruiting.
Frankly, Florida turning it around organizationally is good for the NHL since now it’s one less team that has an unstable foundation and has created a tangible culture for the club. I have similar feelings to Vegas winning last year in the sense that teams succeeding in diverse markets helps both in terms of fan interest and in general visibility for the sport. It’s really interesting how almost a decade ago, so many teams were basically in a tailspin with some rumored to move, and now most of them have turned it around. Coyotes and Thrashers are the exception but the latter fizzled out really quickly and the former was the sport equivalent of Murphys Law. Plus, I still feel both areas could work with stable ownership which at the end of the day is the driving issue with unstable hockey teams in different markets. I really think the relocation rumors are done for now and the NHL is honestly better for it.
Love you for covering my team, and all the teams, honestly.
STANLEY CUP CHAMPIONS!!!
Watching Paul Maurice lift the cup was cool, but watching Luongo lift it almost brought me to tears. ....almost.
I'd love to share a video suggestion, if it hasn't already been done on this channel: "What team that hasn't made the Stanley Cup final this century will be in it next?"
There are 5 teams that have never played in the Stanley Cup final (Coyotes/Utah, Blue Jackets, Wild, Jets, Kraken). There are 3 teams yet to reach the final since the 20th century (Maple Leafs, Islanders, Sabres). I'd love to see a ranking between these 8 teams.
This isn't a "who will win a championship" video, but rather a comparison of who is more likely to break their Stanley Cup final drought. Note the difference between being in the Cup final and winning it all.
Lastly, I'd like to thank Shannon for everything he has done for this wonderful channel. His videos are informative, impartial, consistent, and hilarious. Thank you, Shannon!
Sincerely,
~ Disheartened Islanders fan
Something I'll never forgive Pegula for as a Sabres fan... They interviewed Bill Zito (who was as assistant GM for CBJ) back in 2017 after they fired Tim Murray, but opted for Jason Botterill instead... UGH
Been a Cats fan since the Devils series in 2012. God this felt so good. Go cats!!!
Zito has done absolutely great woek. Paul Maurice already a legend but now with SC after all those years which is epic to be told. Could not be happier for the FLA and by any means Edmonton was no soft kill in seven. Extremely well run organization top to bottom which it was not during the "dry" years which included, sure, individual aces like young Barkov but no cohisiveness. Cohesion indeed came with Paul and took long into last season.
Our 4th line is now a fusion of ex Boston Bruin 4th liners that played under Montgomery these past two seasons. Schmidt and Boqvist will help bolster the team’s defensive depth I am truly hopeful and confident that there is at least one more Cup run with this core locked up. Verhaeghe is already in talks of getting extended next. In Zito we trust. Vamos Gatos.
Great piece Shannon. As a Panther fan since inception, the last couple of weeks have been incredible. Thinking about all the years you mentioned really made this even sweeter. Honestly, last season I'm sure VGK fans were happy, but what had they really been through to experience the true, pure joy us Panthers fans felt on 6/24/2024? They hadn't. Keep up the great videos. Looking forward to another season watching Mr. Hockey.
Great video. Also you forgot to mention ekblad was drafted very high as well. 1st overall in 2014 😊
Suffered for 30 years with this team. Last 3 years (beginning with President trophy season) has been just incredible
Dale Tallon changed the course of our team and ever since then we been having success. Bill and Paul really brought consistency something we never had EVER! An players finally want to come here and play. We are no longer a career ending franchise! The culture is set in stone! An the NHL fanbase has a problem with this cause we upset the natural order! Time we hunt again!!
Hate hearing all the talk from Canadian hockey fans saying the Oilers deserved the cup more. In 3 years Florida won the presidents trophy, went to the finals, and then won the cup. All while the Oilers were doing nothing in a much easier conference and division.
I'm pretty new to this channel. This dude is awesome. Great content!
Was this video done before we picked up Adam Boqvist? We added Schmidt and Megna as well. Uvis Balinskis showed some promise last season as well.
As a Cats fan, that Rodrigues contract is an absolute steal
Ikr, I'm so happy he's a part of the team, amazing player
Sure there are fans saying the league favors the Panthers, but that's always the case in every sport. The reality is that this group is not very large. Any logical person who has watched the Panthers throughout their history knows this is not only incorrect, it's an absurdity. As proof, just go back to last season when Florida made the finals but lost. Without checking, I believe there was 1 game in that playoff run of 21 games where they had more power plays than their opponent.
As a Panthers fan, thank you so much Shannon for your work and your even-handedness: it can get really wearing to hear so much current talk about taxes/favouritism/no real fans when the history of this franchise has been so painful for so long. There is a part of me that wishes more people could be happy for a smaller market managing to win at long last after decades of failure, but understand that hockey tribalism makes that unlikely.
I personally think it's unllikely that we repeat this year - I think it was amazing enough that we managed to get to back to back finals, and I think that takes a huge toll on the players. However, I do feel that we are set up (bless Bill Zito) to be contenders for the next five years or so and I am cautiously optimistic that we manage to another during that time. GO CATS!
As a Tampa fan we’ve seen a lot of Barkov over the years. He’s always been a problem for us. If you were creating a hockey player in a lab he’d probably end up looking a lot like Barkov. Katchuk seems very similar.
Cats fans, just remember that y'all got a true cup finals, with hearbreak and all, capped off with a sweet and long awaited victory. As a fan of an Atlantic division team I am of course savouring your eventual downfall, but in the meantime the Eastern conference is right to fear y'all in the coming years
You're from Texas and you cheer for an Atlantic Division team? How "y'all doin y'all, I'm from Texas, y'all".
@@jeffreym.8957I grew up in Texas and like the word y'all, don't hate. I'm not from Dallas so I never connected with the Stars
Tarasenko is the ONLY trade deadline acquisition in the past ~15+ years that was somewhat important in getting a winning comp together. And even that is obviously arguable.
When you were talking about years of struggle, I couldn’t help by thinking of saying, “Coyote Ugly” to describe NHL failure.
If any team can repeat it’s Florida
If they rig it so. Put a Leafs, Sabres, or Jets jersey on the Florida team, they don't win.
@@mannyoliveira776then keep this jerseys away from us. Also this is a weak argument. Fla winning is not the best for the NHL. Why rig it?
@@johnathonmaldonado3565 Because they are doubling down on the Florida market - 1st the Lightning with back-to-back Cups, now Flor Panthrs. Oilers or Stars will take the Cup in 2025. Cup goes back West
@@johnathonmaldonado3565Because the Bettman Panthers had trouble filling their arena, that's lost revenue. Now that problem is solved.
they arent going to repeat i promise you that
Sold out stadiums??? Who wants to spend the money on a losing team. Fact. 50% of teams lose every game they play and their fans end the night disappointed.
I think Balinskis is gona take the next step and replace Montour.
Uhhhhhh, he's a 3rd pair really. I can't seem him being a 2nd pairing.
good one m8, loving the offseason content
The roster turnover in that free agency period after the 19-20 season alone is INSANE. If you just compare the rosters from that season to 20-21 you’ll see a complete Zito masterclass in the span of three months
You talked about Montour not being replaced but I think that Zito is hoping Adam Boqvist can fill that role. It's definitely chancy, but if it works it'll be a genius move. Time will tell.
We should not forget the day in 2013 that the Panthers got new ownership. All hail Mr. Vincent Viola. Without him the Stanley Cup was not a possibility
the only thing i didn't like was the new, now not so new logo. Outside of that Vinny took garbage and turned into a team the rest of the league hates because we finally are winning after 30 years.
@@jimmyzarkis6276 Agreed, though the new logo grew on me and now I prefer it.
It shows maturity. It's like the teenagers vs the military generals (old logo vs new)
Maybe like 2 years ago, it was said on the news, because it was so unexpected and surprising, that there were available tickets, at lower price, for Canadiens games at the Bell Centre because the team was so bad. When the team wins people will go. It's like that for every market in every sport. The ONLY exception that comes to my mind would be the Tampa Bay Rays. And the Lightning has sellouts. So I totally disagree when people say Florida is not a hockey market.
The biggest qualifier that I saw to folks claiming the league favored Florida so they would win a cup was to sell the idea of expanding to Atlanta, with the idea that "if it can work in Florida, it can work here in Atlanta". You know, nevermind the fact that Atlanta's failure was due entirely to ownership issues, and had nothing to do with folks just not being into the sport.
Thanks for the video Shannon! Go Panthers!
Dave Talon built the championship Hawks roster and the Panthers. Top tier drafting..
@@FloridaHockeyFan lol he also draft Gudbranson and Georgiev, touted Rocco Gimaldi and Borgstrom as stars he got lucky w Barkov and with Ekblad (would rather have other players at this point t that Ekblad) but he was the most NHL ready and that’s what he liked. Even Bujustdt was a bad pick… Howden too his 3 1st rounders were garbage that draft and many
@@JeffShafer87 Didnt he draft kane, toews, duncan keith etc..
@BeyondTheRink It's not just drafting, it's also developing. And when they were in the mist of their development time, ownership came in and wrecked that process. None of these prospects got fully developed. Including the last three holdovers, Barkov, Ekblad, and Huberdeau. None reached their full potential. And these were the best outcomes. Most were pretty much ruined.
@@FloridaHockeyFan I mean, you and I could’ve drafted those guys for the pics that they had dude
@@JeffShafer87 Dumb comment made by an uninformed fan. Plenty of gm's have drafted in the top and failed miserably. Dont believe me? Look at the Oilers draft class from 2008-2016. The great gm's hit the top picks and find gems in later rounds. Yzerman a great example. He's hit numerous picks and missed numerous 1st rounders.
it would be cool to see a video about the "cup tax"
Shannon, as a long time Sharks fan, that Patrick Marleau comment (comparing him to Maurice in never getting the Cup) pierced like the sharpest dagger😮 to the heart. You certainly know your hockey! Mercifully, I chose the Cats as my new team.
Thank you for this, and for touching on the history too! May I add some depth to the history section? (pun intended, lol) I'm not sure if others have already said this stuff, but I would like to add additional explanations to the past because the majority of the comments I see online from haters, pertain to these points.
The Panthers have that LONG history of not even making the playoffs. Well what most people don't realize is that the ownership changed more than once, up until 2013, I think, when the Violas bought the team and started changing EVERYTHING. I worked there for over 10 years and of course, I know many other people who have worked there longer too, in a variety of positions. Before the Violas, of course, it was also different Presidents of the Club, who are the ones actually running the entire organization from the team to the facilities, and different general managers. Coaching was even worse. Coaching was like a constant stream of different people every 2-3 years. But the biggest factor was that the previous owners and Presidents just did not know how to run the organization successfully. One of the biggest things people bring up about the past is when they were giving away tickets to try to get people into the building. In reality, if they were producing a good team, people would have showed up without giving away tickets. I remember too, the Violas coming in and saying that even that practice of giving away tickets is like telling people straight away that the team has no value worth paying to come. (Those were not their exact words. But you get the idea.) The way to get people into the building is NOT to give away tickets. Plus when people don't pay for the tickets, they don't feel as invested, in coming or in being a fan. That is just one example. The executives just didn't know how to run the team.
The Violas were brand new to running a sports team, BUT they brought in the right people and advisers, and they changed EVERYTHING. They left no stone unturned behind the scenes. They had to do a lot to make the club profitable, so that the county wouldn't decide to sell the arena also, or get out of the contract, which is probably when those rumors about the team moving came up. And they did it! They figured it out while also making commitments to the county for new construction and building up different areas. That is also how the new practice facility came about, though I believe the Violas made the commitment to the county before the plans for the practice facility came up. They helped with revitalizing Fort Lauderdale also. So the county showed the commitment to the team, with the arena contract, which ended up being modified, and the team showed the commitment to the county. Behind closed doors, every vendor contract was brought in house (arena operations, food & beverage, housekeeping, etc). Rather than paying other companies to run things within the arena, they brought it all under the same umbrella, so now everything in the arena is run by the Florida Panthers organization and the Violas. This changed the financial spreadsheets for them too, and helped them make the organization viable. They also improved the quality of the working environment for everyone in the arena, which stands out years later too.
So Dale Tallon was new when they came in. I can't remember if they hired him or he had just been hired, but they kept him, and he produced some good results. It's only natural that even though they bought the team in 2013, it would take some years to turn things around. You can't turn around an entire sports organization overnight, and EVERYTHING had to be restructured or changed. Not just the team stuff, but the arena stuff too. So Tallon made some good moves and he made some bad moves, and he was around for awhile. But ultimately, he ended up getting replaced by Zito, who has obviously been the biggest difference maker. Tallon did make some important decisions though...Barkov, Ekblad, Bobrovsky...he also brought in Brunette with Quenneville. I think if Quenneville had ended up staying, we would have seen success too. Brunette obviously did well after Joel was out, bringing the team to the President's Trophy. But losing in the playoffs made Zito & management realize that we needed a coach for playoff hockey, and Brunette's style wasn't that. This is why Maurice was brought in. It did take some time for the team to change how they played. I also saw Wayne Gretsky talking about playing golf with Tkachuk in Feb 2023, and saying that they have a good team, but they've had injuries and have been getting used to the different playing style. Things will start to take off now. And sure enough...The rest is history.
The other thing people like to talk about is our 6 fans, lol, which is obviously super old to us. I think the explanation of the history and THG's commentary about fans not going when teams aren't winning, and we weren't winning for many many years, kinda explains that. Paul Maurice has said that in pressers too, that every single club has had bad years when there's 3-5,000 in the building. He gave examples. People bring up pictures of an empty arena from one of the worst seasons in our history, but that's the past. It's different owners, different President, different GM, different coach, different players...entirely different organization entirely! Same team name. That's it! I could say same building, but the building has also changed tremendously since then on the inside. All kinds of build out to the fan sections, and upgrading the HVAC system so the ice is better year round. During COVID, they lead the league in designs to protect the fans too. Their implementations were literally being sent by the NHL to every arena. So the internal upgrades have made a big difference in fan experience too. It just so happens that the main section on TV, is the seating area for the most exclusive club in the building, which is open bar & buffet at the top of the seating. So whenever someone is saying, "no one is there! No one is in the seats!" That's because that section is where the fans are up in the club eating and drinking and watching from there, instead of being down in the seats. As I've seen others point out online, this is also South Florida, lol. I'm sure we have a majority Hispanic community (I'm not, but I've lived here my whole life so I know the area.) Have you ever heard someone accuse someone of being on Cuban time? Hispanics are always late. Sometimes they're an hour late! They literally put a different time on invitations to make sure people get there for something important, like a wedding. Add to it that this is a huge tri-county area, with 5.5 million people. The arena is at the edge of the Everglades. It is a good location for highways, but some of the fans are coming from even an hour away. Maybe more! I know for the Stanley Cup, they were coming from further than that too. Throw in rush hour also on weekdays. So when you see empty seats when the game starts, that's South Florida. This is not the same as other cities that only live, eat and breathe hockey. That doesn't mean no one is there. We have the 7th largest arena in the world, with a capacity of 19,250, though I've seen it with more than that when it's at standing room only. So you can also imagine that when it's not full, it looks a lot emptier. Fill up a tiny space with a ton of people and it looks fuller faster. In a larger space, even at 75% full, which would be almost 15,000 for us, it could still look like "where are the people?" because you see empty seats.
Anyway, I can't remember what other common comments people make but I think that covers the main ones. I know it's long, but it seemed like the perfect content to add the depth in understanding. I have to say, I don't understand why there are people who even spend the time and energy making negative comments about us. We live rent free in their heads for some reason. Jealousy? Bitter at the success we have now? I can't think of why else! I guess I shouldn't let it get to me because clearly they are the ones with some type of problem due to our success. Trust me, the building is full now, and we have the best family in the business, IMHO. Can't wait to see what the future brings both short term and longterm!
We definitely had some struggle years that’s for sure but this Stanley erased all of that struggle from my heart personally.
I also think Adam Boqvist and Nate Schmidt are going to be more than serviceable in absence of Montour. I somewhat expect Montours production to dip now that he’s off the team as well.
As a Montrea fan ,AND David Savard fan , he would be a great third pairing for this great Panther's organization :)
Still have butterflies I waited 30 years
Matty Tkachuk, very dangerous working behind and in front of the net.
It's been a great few years after much struggle. I live in Canada so for the last 25+ years I've always got a strange look when I tell people I'm a Panthers fan... No more!😂. GO CATS!
I read the description before watching and was confused by you saying 16 years between series win, then realized you probably just typo'd it from 26, which is obviously the case after watching.
Also, it's interesting, everyone except Panthers fans seem to think a lot more highly of Montour than we do. He was absolutely insane in '22-'23, but he never produced at that level before that year and this past season he went back more to his normal production level. He also makes a lot more defensive slip-ups than any of our other D (and that includes Ekblad, not sure why so many of our fans are low on him). I definitely think giving Montour 7 mil would have been awful.
last year vs this year. When you watch games you know your team better then ones watching here and there. Montour was a beast and looked amazing last year. This year and in the playoffs, he was broken. Maybe this off season helps him get back together. However aging guy, injuries, can't hit the net, kind of start going, another two or three of a decline then you are looking at a buyout for a guy that can't crack the line up. That's where we are scared. Don't want a Suter on our team taking up the needed cap space.
Florida and Tampa do good TV numbers
Love that hat!!!! 🔥
The FL Panthes had some horrific owners. Not interested in winning only how to turn a profit. Jay Bo didn't leave, the cats refused to make him a real contract. We had a bunch of quality players come and go because they wouldn't spend money. After years of this, dealing with the fire sales here and with the Marlins. You start getting Jaded. Heizinga started both teams. He treated them exactly the same. Then the carousel started. Bad trades. Terrible draft picks. No real players in their prime only washed vets. That 10 years of playoffs in 30 years is super misleading. This turned around when Vinny Viola took over he made it his goal to win. He made a bunch of changes. Started spending money. Turns out, if you put trash on the rink less people show, less parking, less concession, less merchandise, less advertising. But if you put a quality product out there, all those numbers go up and you aren't just relying on venue sharing. The team took to winning when Jagr got here. Barkov and Huberderp was just floundering. As soon as he got here, Barkov become the Barkov we know now. Oh I can use my big body to be physical? Who would have thought. You didn't go to Panthers games to watch the Panthers, you went to see the away teams. S FL is a star F*ck*r area. If you don't have celebrities on the team, then they drama queens going to games just to be scene don't show up. Someone brought the stardom when he came. Tkachuk brought that look at me attention. Barkov can't do that. Lundell can't do that. Huberderp couldn't do that. Tkachuk's off ice personality is just as important to this franchise as his on ice performance. Now the rest of the team is being seen as celebrities so people show up and buy stuff.
Many good points here! Especially about the ownership issues. I didn't think about the second half of this with the "stars" and the people coming for that. But it's a valid point too. Many superficial people in South Florida might only come for the celeb sports stars.
@@genesijesi yup, and Panthers fans can't stand the club seats on the bottom row because those snobs are in the club drinking and not in their seats. And of coarse that's the side the broadcast camera is showing. They should really shut that down during the game and force people into their seats.
@@jimmyzarkis6276 They're never going to do that. Those are the most expensive seats in the building. That is a VIP club, the most VIP one. Aside from some of the season ticket holder packages, there's nothing else more expensive in the building. So those people are going to get to do what they want.
It took years of mediocrity for the Panthers to get to this point...
They made it to the finals for two years in a row. What does that do to the mental game for this season?
If they don't repeat this year, they could easily come back the following year.
The only thing I disagree with is Montour, he hasn’t been the same since injury and there is no way he was worth that much money. But good for him to get paid.
It's just one year that he's been getting back to his normal. I'm sure he'll be fine. He's a big loss for us!
You could also tell that all the players with significant injuries from 2023 needed more time to get back to their normal play. Tkachuk as well. Nothing wrong with that. It's natural recovery. Doesn't mean their play will be affected forever. OEL is the perfect example of that.
Feels so surreal still! Let’s go Panthers!!!!
I am not a panthers fan I but wanted them to get better win when people said them they do not belong in the nhl and move them I said no they belong keep in the nhl
Yo Shannon
Great video!
There is only one Mediocre Mild Shannon.
As happy as I am that the cats won, I don’t think we’re gonna win for QUITE a while
Florida has been my guilty pleasure for decades. I was so happy to see them reach the top. A lot of great stories there (plus the usual shenanigans). I'm happy for Edmonton to win the next three straight.
I never understood the "not a hockey market" argument. Look at pretty much any hockey market, when the team's bad, the attendance is bad. Even in Edmonton, Vancouver, Boston, etc. It's just worse for expansion teams because they need to build a generations-long fanbase to survive those down times
I have been wearing my Barkov sweater, with pride. That said: I predicted that Petey would have won his first Selke, by now...
well said
And the mediocre future is just ahead!
Not gonna repeat our in the first round
Gm dave Talon change Florida Franchise
don't think the Cats have any cap room to add a top 4 dman... the probable thinking for Zito is that he's hoping that Boqvist will replace Montour on the 2nd pair & take the pp1 duties. but, there's going to be some growing pains in that case... even if Boqvist somewhat figures it out, it's not going to be pretty for a while
Knight over Drieger as the backup?
Absolutely. Driedger was #3 in Seattle for a reason.
I'm worried about Knight's contract. I don't think that's one that would be able to be moved, and it's a lot to pay for a backup that we can only hope has worked through his personal issues.
If Knight becomes the starter in 2 seasons as bob winds down, it will look better. He was looking like a high end goalie until that rehap stuff. Maybe his head is fixed and he can be a number 1 as projected. I personally lost hope in him. However I want to be proven wrong.
He did well all year in Charlotte. That's what they wanted to see. For him to get back used to it and be playing regularly. No reason to think he won't be okay.
To all the purists who wanted us moved and all the people who laughed at us, we are here to stay.
I can see if my pens struggle down the latter of the season they would try to shop Karlsson. Florida might just be the right team, even with the cap hit
Unless they trade Spencer Knight - it's almost impossible. They are right up against the Cap.
Boqvist bros. unite!!!!
Atlantic Div will be interesting... I don't think Florida will be hungry enough to win the division... I see them comfortably 2nd... However, I don't see any other team really pushing for that 1st spot so they may end up there, unless one of the trio DET/BUF/OTT will jump up...
Even as a Cats fan I saw Toronto winning the ATL last year. Surprise!! I'm not doing it to myself this year. This year will be about maintaining . I can see Paul giving the boys random off games due to the long runs we've had with 110 and 108 games last two years. Will that mean more losses? Maybe, maybe not if the fill ins play well. It's all on paper right now. I honestly have no idea. They make the playoffs, but do they win the ATL? Could. Do they place 2nd or 3rd? Could. Its a toss up.
They won't be as hungry as this past season. But some of the guys coming in are pretty hungry, and Tkachuk and similar tempered players can easily get that hungry again. So we'll see!
@@genesijesi The first 2 months of the season will be a tone setter. Everyone from what I've read is already back on the ice training and getting in shape, except for the Cup days they have set aside.
@@doctorcane Yeah I expect them to not be as focused as last year, how Maurice said they pushed themselves harder at training camp. I don’t think the first 2 months make or break anything as we saw the last 2 years, but we’ll see how the core is treating it. I know the new guys coming in are driven! So I would love to see them all pursue round 3! I just watched a montage from the final and I heard Tkachuk say to 2 Oilers during the handshake line, “hopefully we’ll see you back here again next year.” So we’ll see how the year starts!
FLA is going to be a wildcard team next year you heard it here first!
Great thanks for the brilliant insight. SMH
They were the year before and still made the finals. 😂. They should be a tough out regardless in the playoffs. I’m betting it will be 6 straight Stanley cup finals played In the state of Florida. 🎉
yeah, that just means they are in the playoffs and they can knock off the presidents trophy winner for the 3rd year in a row.
Blueline is not great
I get what you're saying, attendance goes up when the team is better. The floor for attendance in actual hockey markets is much different than the floor for other markets though. I think you kind of papered over that larger point.
Is Chicago a hockey market? Those stands were pretty empty for years before Kane got there. That's one hell of a low floor. San Jose after decades of good teams, is now a ghost town only a few years away from the playoffs. Wonder how many teams can actually be down for 5 years to 10 years in a row, and still keep fans coming in. Maybe 5 or so teams mostly in Canada.
@jimmyzarkis6276 some things also depend on arena location and arena age. I think that factors into attendance. In the USA I think of the Rangers, bruins and red wings as being the most robust hockey markets but the kings have had good attendance for a long time too, so maybe it's time we reconsider what cities really support hockey when the team is losing
What do you mean?
I will say that when I looked up population during the Cup final, I found that Edmonton, who I imagine to be a quintessential hockey town, where everyone lives, eats and breathes hockey, only has 1-1.5 million people. South Florida (which is a tricounty area, not just 1 city), has 5.5 million people, as well as tons of other activities. The population differences as well as the differences in the areas and the activities, both play big roles in this subject!
@@genesijesi what I mean is that the core fans that will still buy merchandise and tickets and watch the games on TV or streaming EVEN WHEN the team sucks is lower in a market of 5 million in Florida than a market of 500k in Winnipeg.
@@mattwilliams7454 Thanks!
I think the defensive losses are too much right now. 2nd elimination is my prediction
You think Montour and OEL aren't replaceable? I think Forsling, Mikkola and Ekblad are much more important. OEL is easily replaced.
@@jeffreym.8957 they are replacable. As of right now they haven't been replaced