The Panthers will face off
After six years, the small South Florida NHL team known as the Florida Panthers have finally clinched a playoff spot. However, it wasn’t all that easy. Over the last several seasons, the team underwent many critical changes that helped the Cats become more motivated in their push for success.
Back in 2016, the Pan
thers were in the running for the Stanley Cup playoffs. That year they played the New York Islanders in a series of six games. During the sixth game of the first round, the game went to overtime. An uncalled trip on former Panthers player Vincent Trocheck caused a game-winning goal for the Islanders during the extra period. This game caused the Panthers to be eliminated from the playoffs and led to subsequent protest from fans calling for roster changes from then Panthers General Manager Dale Tallon.
Over the last six years, many vital trades, signings, drafts, and revamps have been executed. Notably, one very beneficial trade was for left-wing Frank Vatrano. Vatrano, who came from the Boston Bruins, was received for a third-round pick in February 2018.
After the Panthers failed to produce in the 2020 play-ins, which was set up as the 2019-20 season was shortened because of the pandemic, an even more important change came to the staff. It was announced that Tallon, the general manager, was to be relieved of his duties. Soon after, he was replaced by Bill Zito, a former Assistant Manager for the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Once Zito was able to take the reigns in Sunrise, he made a trade that shocked the NHL world and boosted the Panthers’ lineup. It was announced that Patric Hornqvist had been traded to Florida from the Pittsburgh Penguins for Mike Matheson and Colton Sceviour. This was a fantastic trade for the Cats, as Hornqvist was a two-time Stanley Cup winner with Pittsburgh.
This season has been a surprising one for the team and fans alike. Early in the 2020-21 season, Panthers defender Mackenzie Weegar was re-signed to a three-year, $3.5 million contract. Weegar, who was drafted by the Panthers in 2013, has been a crucial asset in where the team tends to struggle, on defense.
Along with this, well-liked Ottawa Senators left wing Anthony Duclair was signed to Florida on a one-year, $1.7 million contract. As the season crept closer, a familiar player was reintroduced to the squad. Right-winger Juho Lammikko was signed as a free agent. He last played for the Panthers a few years ago.
The Panthers have greatly improved this year, despite dealing with all of the league’s changes as the NHL continues to respond to the pandemic. The regular season ended on May 10 for the Panthers, who finished with a 37-14-5 record (37 wins, 14 losses, and five games that went to overtime). Having accumulated 79 points in the standings, the Panthers finished one point shy
of first place in the realigned Central Division, just behind the Carolina Hurricanes. They have also clinched their spot in the 2021 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
The Panthers will face off against their in-state rival and defending Stanley Cup Champions, the Tampa Bay Lightning. Their first-round best-of-seven series kicks off on May 16, when the Panthers host the Lightning at the BB&T Center in Sunrise, Fla.
Needless to say, Panthers fans have been very hopeful and impressed this season. In the eyes of many around the hockey world, this is the best Panthers squad since the team advanced all the way to the Stanley Cup Final back in 1996.
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