For the third consecutive year, the Florida Panthers have reached the Stanley Cup Final, positioning Sunrise at the heart of the hockey world. While some critics question the Panthers` perceived advantages and the lack of a major traditional hockey market in the final, their recent achievements, both on and off the ice, are ultimately beneficial for the sport`s long-term vitality.
For over two decades, spanning from 1997 to 2020, the Panthers largely struggled, often found dwelling in the lower half of the NHL standings. To be frank, they were an easily overlooked team in a region where hockey was a minor attraction rather than the primary focus.
This situation has dramatically shifted in recent years. Under the guidance of general manager Bill Zito, the Panthers have developed into a consistent championship contender, now vying for their second consecutive Stanley Cup. This success has led to increased attendance and a significant surge in local support for both the team and the sport of hockey overall.
Contrary to some online commentary, the Panthers` success is not primarily due to tax benefits or favorable weather. Florida has excelled in strategic roster construction and has also invested substantial effort in integrating hockey into the local community for lasting impact.
The notion of a “Sun Belt problem,” often mentioned somewhat facetiously, is largely unfounded. The Panthers represent a considerable success story for both the league and the sport, and this outcome is driven by strategic decisions, not merely tax regulations.
Smart and Bold Roster Construction
It`s difficult to find significant weaknesses in the current Panthers roster, a testament to their multi-faceted approach to team building. Florida has successfully drafted top talent, discovered undervalued players, and made decisive moves to acquire elite players via trade.
While selecting well in the first round might seem straightforward, many teams falter in this area. The Panthers, however, have notably built around three key players chosen high in the draft:
- Aleksander Barkov (Selected 2nd overall in 2013)
- Aaron Ekblad (Selected 1st overall in 2014)
- Anton Lundell (Selected 12th overall in 2020)
Barkov serves as the team`s driving force and recently earned his third Selke Trophy. Ekblad is a crucial component of the Panthers` formidable defense. Lundell is among the best third-line centers in the league and would likely have a more prominent role on most other NHL teams.
While this core trio is essential to Florida`s achievements, the team has truly set itself apart by identifying and acquiring undervalued talent from other teams. If rival franchises complain about Florida`s tax advantages, perhaps they should first stop trading impact players to the Panthers for below market value.
Carter Verhaeghe, who was the Panthers` leading goal scorer last postseason, was signed to a modest two-year, $2 million contract in 2020 after being released by the Tampa Bay Lightning as a restricted free agent.
Was there a long line of teams eager to offer Gustav Forsling, now a premier shutdown defenseman, a fair market contract, only for the Panthers to undercut them due to Florida`s lack of state income tax? No, there wasn`t. Florida simply claimed Forsling off waivers before the 2020-21 season began.
Eetu Luostarinen, a key player on Florida`s effective third line, was acquired as part of the trade package for Vincent Trocheck in 2020. Before that trade, Luostarinen had limited NHL experience, playing only eight games with one assist.
Even Sam Bennett, expected to sign a lucrative new contract this summer, was obtained in exchange for a second-round pick and the rights to Emil Heineman. This return was relatively minor for a player who has become a vital piece of the team in Sunrise.
While these players were initially acquired at a low cost, General Manager Zito`s willingness to make significant trades has also paid off handsomely. The acquisitions of Sam Reinhart in 2021 and Matthew Tkachuk in 2022 were particularly impactful moves that reshaped the organization`s trajectory.
Reinhart cost a first-round pick and goaltending prospect Devon Levi. While decent compensation for the Buffalo Sabres at the time, they likely regret that deal now. Since the start of the 2023-24 season, only Auston Matthews has scored more goals than Reinhart.
Tkachuk proved to be the crucial missing piece for Florida. While the trade might seem obvious in retrospect, Zito took a significant gamble by trading Johnathan Huberdeau, who had just recorded 115 points, along with top defenseman Mackenzie Weegar and a first-round pick.
The argument that teams in states without income tax, like Florida, Tampa, Dallas, and Vegas, have a significant inherent advantage is often exaggerated. This issue was not prominent fifteen years ago when these franchises were far less successful.
Every NHL market possesses its unique advantages, but the Panthers are simply succeeding by building and managing their team effectively. Consequently, the sport of hockey is expanding its footprint into different regions of the United States.
Cultivating Hockey`s Popularity
For the NHL to continue expanding its influence and revenue, teams in non-traditional hockey markets must achieve success in multiple ways. This includes winning games but also leveraging that success to cultivate grassroots participation and interest.
This has been the Florida Panthers` objective for the past decade, according to John Colombo, the team`s vice president of community relations. When asked about the core strategy for growing hockey in South Florida, Colombo provided a seemingly straightforward reply:
“Getting sticks into kids` hands,” he stated.
In a climate like Florida, where most sports are played year-round, establishing a strong presence for hockey presents a unique challenge.
“In South Florida, you have the option to play almost any sport twelve months a year,” Colombo explained. “So, for us, it`s about how we compete with sports like soccer, which only requires an open field and a ball. Baseball and football are also year-round. How do you effectively compete with all these established sports?”
One strategy the Panthers have employed is offering various forms of hockey to young fans at minimal or no cost.
The team`s `Learn to Play` program allows children aged 5-9 to experience hockey through a six-week introductory course, and they get to keep the equipment afterward. Participation in this specific program increased by 12.25% in the last year alone.
The Panthers` Floorball Program is currently active in 560 schools across the region, providing free floorball equipment and teaching materials for physical education teachers. The team is also developing a ball hockey program, enabling young fans to discover the sport through diverse methods without even needing to skate on ice.
Furthermore, the Panthers have created a `Girls Only` youth program, offering girls the opportunity to learn and play hockey in an environment separate from co-ed leagues if they prefer. These teams are composed entirely of girls and coached exclusively by women.
These initiatives have shown tangible results, and the overall growth in youth hockey participation in Florida has been remarkable, according to data from USA Hockey.
- From the 2022-23 to the 2023-24 season, youth hockey participation in Florida saw an 8.4% increase, the highest percentage growth among all states.
- Participation among young female players rose by 9.4%, also one of the top increases nationally.
- Cumulatively, youth hockey participation in Florida has surged by an impressive 73% since the 2012-13 season.
These numbers are likely to climb higher if the Panthers continue their successful run. Combined with the persistent grassroots efforts undertaken by teams like Florida, interest in hockey is poised for continued expansion.
“When we first arrived here (a decade ago),” Colombo recalled, “you`d often talk to a kid, and while they played hockey, it wasn`t something they proudly embraced. For us, the goal was to cultivate a culture where kids are proud to be Panthers fans. The team`s performance on the ice certainly helps that, attracting more attention. But continuing these grassroots efforts is crucial. It`s incredibly important for these kids to grow up as Panther fans – that`s our ultimate objective.”
Long-Term Benefits for the NHL
Anyone preoccupied with potential TV ratings for a third consecutive Stanley Cup Final featuring the Panthers (and a sixth straight featuring a Florida-based team) is missing the bigger picture.
If the NHL aims to improve its standing among major North American sports leagues, it must successfully expand beyond its traditional strongholds. While an Original Six matchup in the Stanley Cup Final might currently yield better viewership, it does little to generate interest among potential fans outside of established hockey centers.
The Panthers have assembled an exciting team with prominent stars, and the local community is increasingly embracing both the franchise and the sport. This trend offers the league optimism regarding its capacity to extend its reach into less conventional hockey markets well into the future.
