For the third consecutive year, the Florida Panthers have reached the Stanley Cup Final, firmly positioning Sunrise as the focal point of the hockey world. While some observers have raised concerns regarding the Panthers` perceived advantages or the absence of a large, traditional American hockey market in the final series, the team`s success, both on the ice and as an organization, is undoubtedly contributing positively to the long-term vitality of the sport.
For over two decades, from roughly 1997 to 2020, the Panthers primarily resided in the middle to lower ranks of the NHL standings. To put it more plainly, they were an easily overlooked franchise in a market where hockey played a secondary role, not the main event.
This situation has dramatically shifted over the past few years. Under the leadership of General Manager Bill Zito, the Panthers have constructed a consistent contender that is now on the cusp of potentially securing its second consecutive Stanley Cup banner. Attendance figures have improved significantly, and grassroots support for the team and for hockey in general has seen an enormous surge.
Contrary to some online narratives, the Panthers` success isn`t simply a result of tax benefits or favorable weather. Florida`s management has made astute decisions in constructing their roster and has also dedicated substantial effort to embedding hockey deeply within the community for sustained growth.
The notion of a `Sun Belt problem,` often mentioned facetiously, seems largely fabricated. The Panthers represent a significant success story for both the league and the sport, and this achievement is not merely a byproduct of state tax policies.
Intelligent and Aggressive Roster Building
Finding significant flaws in the current Panthers roster is challenging, largely because they have executed several strategic actions exceptionally well. Florida has succeeded with high draft picks, unearthed undervalued talent, and demonstrated aggression in acquiring elite players available on the trade market.
Hitting on first-round draft selections might sound straightforward, but teams frequently miss the mark. While the Panthers have also had some misses, three pivotal players on their roster are direct outcomes of highly successful picks near the top of the draft:
- Aleksander Barkov (No. 2 overall in 2013)
- Aaron Ekblad (No. 1 overall 2014)
- Anton Lundell (No. 12 overall in 2020)
Barkov is the team`s engine, recently earning his third Selke Trophy. Ekblad is a crucial component of the Panthers` formidable defense. Lundell is arguably one of the best third-line centers in the NHL and would command a more prominent role on most other teams.
While this core group is essential to Florida`s accomplishments, the team has truly distinguished itself by identifying and acquiring undervalued players from around the league. If other franchises complain about Florida`s tax advantages, perhaps they should first stop providing the Panthers with bargains on impact players.
Carter Verhaeghe, the Panthers` leading goal-scorer last postseason, was signed to a modest two-year, $2 million contract in 2020 after the Tampa Bay Lightning released him as a restricted free agent.
How extensive was the queue of teams eager to offer Gustav Forsling, now recognized as one of the NHL`s premier shutdown defensemen, a fair market value contract before the Panthers claimed him, ostensibly benefiting from Florida`s lack of state income tax?
There was no queue. Florida simply claimed Forsling off waivers before the 2020-21 season began.
Eetu Luostarinen, a key player on Florida`s highly effective third line, was part of the return package in the 2020 Vincent Trocheck trade. Prior to that deal, Luostarinen had minimal NHL experience, with just one assist in eight games.
Even Sam Bennett, who is expected to sign a lucrative contract this summer, was acquired for just a second-round pick and the rights to prospect Emil Heineman. This was a relatively small price to pay for a player who has become a central figure in Sunrise.
These players were initially acquired far below their eventual value, but even when General Manager Zito pursued high-profile targets, the price paid has been justified. Two transactions that fundamentally altered the Panthers` trajectory were the acquisitions of Sam Reinhart in 2021 and Matthew Tkachuk in 2022.
Reinhart`s acquisition cost a first-round pick and goaltending prospect Devon Levi. This was decent compensation for the Buffalo Sabres at the time, but in hindsight, they likely regret the trade. Since the start of the 2023-24 season, only Auston Matthews has scored more goals than Reinhart.
Tkachuk proved to be the missing piece for Florida. While it seems obvious now, Zito took a significant gamble with that trade, sending away Johnathan Huberdeau immediately after a 115-point season, top-pairing defenseman Mackenzie Weegar, and a first-round pick.
The argument that teams in states without income tax like Florida, Tampa, Dallas, and Vegas possess a major advantage is often exaggerated and wasn`t a widely discussed issue 15 years ago when these teams were far less competitive.
Every market has inherent advantages, but the Panthers are simply outmaneuvering their competition through smart management and strategy. As a result, hockey is successfully expanding its footprint into new areas of the country.
Growing the Game
For the NHL to continue expanding its reach and revenue, teams in non-traditional markets must achieve success in various ways. This includes winning on the ice, but equally important is leveraging that success to cultivate a strong grassroots following.
This is precisely what the Panthers organization has focused on over the past decade, as explained by John Colombo, the Panthers` Vice President of Community Relations, to CBS Sports. When asked about the core principle of growing hockey in South Florida, Colombo offered a seemingly simple answer:
“Getting sticks in kids` hands,” he stated.
In Florida`s climate, most popular sports are played year-round, which presents a significant challenge for hockey to establish a strong presence in the market.
“In South Florida, kids can play almost any sport year-round,” Colombo noted. “So for us, the challenge is, `How do you effectively compete with sports like soccer, where all you need is an open field and a ball?` Baseball and football are also 12-month commitments. How do you compete with that kind of omnipresence?”
One strategy the Panthers have adopted is offering different forms of hockey to young fans at minimal or no cost.
Their `Learn to Play` program provides children aged 5-9 an opportunity to experience hockey through a six-week program, and they get to keep the equipment afterwards. This program saw a notable 12.25% increase in participation over the last year.
The Panthers Floorball Program is active in 560 schools across the region, supplying free floorball equipment and a curriculum for physical education teachers. The team is also developing a ball hockey program. These initiatives allow young fans to be introduced to the game in various accessible ways, without even needing to step onto ice.
Furthermore, the Panthers have created a `Girls Only` youth program, enabling girls to learn the sport in a single-gender environment if they prefer. These teams are not only composed entirely of girls, but the coaching staff consists exclusively of women as well.
These programs have demonstrated tangible results, and the overall growth of youth hockey in the area has been remarkable. According to data from USA Hockey:
- From the 2022-23 to 2023-24 season, youth hockey participation in Florida increased by 8.4%, the largest percentage increase of any state.
- Youth female participation saw a significant rise of 9.4%, also among the highest rates nationally.
- Cumulatively, youth hockey participation in Florida has grown by an impressive 73% since the 2012-13 season.
These numbers are likely to climb even higher if the Panthers can sustain their current period of success. Combined with the dedicated grassroots efforts by organizations like the Panthers, interest in hockey is poised to continue its expansion.
“When we first arrived here [10 years ago], often if you talked to a kid who played hockey, it wasn`t something they wore as a badge of honor or pride,” Colombo reflected. “For us, the goal was to cultivate a culture where kids feel proud to be Panthers fans. The success of the team on the ice definitely helps with that. Obviously, increasing visibility for the Panthers is important. But it`s crucial to continue these grassroots initiatives.”
“I believe it`s absolutely vital to allow these kids to grow up as Panther fans, which is ultimately our objective,” he concluded.
Long-Term Gains for the NHL
Anyone primarily concerned about potential TV ratings for a third consecutive Stanley Cup Final featuring the Panthers – and a sixth straight Final including a team from the Sunshine State – may be missing the broader picture.
If the NHL aims to elevate its standing among major North American sports leagues, it must successfully extend its influence beyond traditional hockey strongholds. While an Original Six Stanley Cup Final might currently generate higher immediate TV and streaming numbers, it does little to pique interest among potential fans outside of already established hockey markets.
The Panthers have built an exciting team with genuine star power, and the local community is increasingly embracing both the franchise and the sport. This development should provide the league with optimism regarding its ability to expand its appeal into less traditional hockey markets well into the future.
Torin Vale