The Florida Panthers might have discovered the secret formula to winning in the NHL. And building a powerhouse while they are at it. Though the Cats won’t be giving teams any tips, Matthew Tkachuk dropped an honest statement about what led to the team extending all three of Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett, and Aaron Ekblad.
The Panthers have hoisted back-to-back Stanley Cups and yet are showing no signs of slowing down. After re-signing Marchand, Ekblad, and Bennett for the long-haul, the Cats voiced a stern message to the rest of the NHL: try and stop us.
No one wants to come across these Panthers when the Stanley Cup Playoffs get underway. Florida is built to win. With the likes of Tkachuk, Marchand, Bennett, and others, the Cats boast a lineup filled with talents who perform at their best when the playoffs get underway.
There must be something in the water in South Florida. Whatever it is, the Panthers see no reason to change their recipe. Tkachuk, Bennett, and company are determined to chase NHL history — and they have every reason to believe they can achieve it.
If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it
“Playing down in Florida, and being able to live there and see the support of the fans, I don’t want to leave. Nobody wants to leave,” Tkachuk said in dialogue with NHL Network. “That’s why we’ve created something so special down there.
“We’re able to keep players, because why would you want to leave that? And we’re able to attract players that want to be a part of a great culture, which I think is one of the best in the league. If not the best.”
Stargazing
While the math is definitely not on their side, the Panthers might have one last trick up their sleeves. The Pittsburgh Penguins are actively looking to part ways with some of their best assets, and defenseman Erik Karlsson might become available for the right price. On that note, an insider believes Florida holds the best odds to acquire the former All-Star.
“[Karlsson has] always been attached to the Panthers,” insider Jeff Marek said, via The Sheet. “Every year it was ‘Panthers are interested in Karlsson’. I don’t know if it’s going to happen, but if he’s going to move somewhere, maybe throw a dart there.”
Raining on Florida’s parade
While there is history between the two parties, it feels more like a fever dream than a realistic possibility for the Cats. Florida is currently $3.725M over the NHL’s salary cap. Karlsson has two years remaining on the eight-year, $92M deal he signed in 2019, which carries an annual cap hit of $11.5M.
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Plus, with Ekblad, Forsling, and Jones inked for the long-haul, there seems to be little reason for the Panthers to pursue another star to their blueline. It would take an out-of-this-world effort from Bill Zito and the Panthers to make ends meet. It seems like a lofty task, even for Florida.