Panthers Season Preview: Road to Defend the Stanley Cup Begins

As the Florida Panthers prepare to embark on their 2024-25 NHL campaign, they find themselves in the unique position of defending their first-ever Stanley Cup title. After a historic season that saw them lift the trophy following a victory over the Edmonton Oilers, the Panthers have retooled and recalibrated, aiming to prove that last season’s success was no fluke. With changes on defense, fresh faces in the lineup, and a demanding schedule ahead, the upcoming season promises plenty of intrigue.

Offseason Adjustments: Fresh Blood on Defense

After a championship run, it’s no surprise that the Panthers faced some turnover during the offseason, particularly on the blue line. Brandon Montour, one of their top defensemen, departed for the Seattle Kraken, while veteran Oliver Ekman-Larsson moved on to the Toronto Maple Leafs. These were two major losses for the Panthers’ defense, leaving holes that needed to be filled.

To address these departures, Florida added Nate Schmidt and Adam Boqvist on short-term deals (1 year contracts), hoping that a change of scenery will reinvigorate both players. Schmidt brings veteran experience and two-way ability, while Boqvist, a former top-10 draft pick, has shown flashes of offensive potential but has struggled to stay healthy and consistent in his previous stops with Chicago and Columbus. Finding the right partners for Schmidt and Boqvist will be critical as the Panthers fine-tune their defense.

Fortunately, the top defensive pairing of Aaron Ekblad and Gustav Forsling remains intact, giving the team a solid foundation to build around. Forsling, in particular, has emerged as one of the NHL’s more reliable two-way defensemen, and his chemistry with Ekblad has and will be vital in maintaining the team's defensive stability.

A Grueling Schedule Awaits

Managing exhaustion will be a significant challenge for Florida this season. The Panthers have logged more games over the past two years than any other NHL team, with back-to-back deep playoff runs that included 45 postseason games. The condensed offseason leaves little time for recovery, and maintaining player health and energy will be key if the team wants to contend again.

On top of that, the Panthers will participate in the 2024 NHL Global Series, facing the Dallas Stars in Finland for two games in November. In February, some of their top players including captain Aleksander Barkov, Matthew Tkachuk, and defenseman Gustav Forsling are expected to compete in the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off tournament, adding to an already packed schedule. Balancing these additional commitments with regular-season demands will test the Panthers’ endurance.

Depth Under the Microscope

While the Panthers boast an enviable top six led by Barkov, Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, and Carter Verhaeghe, the depth of their forward group took a hit this offseason. Key contributors such as Vladimir Tarasenko, Kevin Stenlund, and Ryan Lomberg departed, thinning out the bottom half of the lineup.

In response, Florida signed Tomas Nosek and Jesper Boqvist, both of whom will be tasked with stabilizing the team’s bottom six. Nosek’s physicality and experience make him a useful depth piece, while Boqvist has the speed and versatility to move up and down the lineup. Additionally, returnees like Jonah Gadjovich and promising young forwards Mackie Samoskevich and Justin Sourdif will have opportunities to make their mark and fill the void left by departing veterans.

Roster Battles to Watch in Training Camp

Training camp will feature several intriguing roster battles, particularly on defense and in net. While Schmidt and Boqvist are expected to play significant minutes on the blue line, they may face competition from returning defenseman Uvis Balinskis and towering prospect Mikulas Hovorka. Hovorka, a 6-foot-6 Czech defenseman, was signed as an undrafted free agent and has impressed the organization with his raw talent and size. Though he’s likely to start the season in the AHL, a strong camp performance could push him closer to an NHL call-up.

Goaltending will also be a key storyline. Sergei Bobrovsky, coming off a stellar playoff performance, is entrenched as the Panthers' starter, but the backup role is up for grabs. Spencer Knight is the frontrunner to assume the position after the departure of Anthony Stolarz, but he’ll face competition from Chris Driedger, who re-signed with Florida on a one-year deal. Driedger’s familiarity with the organization and past success with the Panthers could make this a close contest.

Rising Stars and X-Factors

One of the most exciting young players to watch this season is Mackie Samoskevich, Florida’s 2021 first-round pick. Samoskevich impressed last season in the AHL, leading the Charlotte Checkers with 54 points, and he appears poised to take the next step in his development. With several offseason departures opening up spots in the forward group, Samoskevich will have every opportunity to solidify himself as a regular contributor.

Another player to keep an eye on is Adam Boqvist. The 24-year-old defenseman has dealt with injury issues and inconsistency throughout his young career, but his offensive upside remains a sight to be seen. Joining a strong team like Florida could provide Boqvist with the stability and structure he needs to unlock his full potential, much like how Gustav Forsling flourished after arriving in Florida in 2021.

Panthers Projected Lineup

Forwards:

- Carter Verhaeghe — Aleksander Barkov — Sam Reinhart

- Evan Rodrigues — Sam Bennett — Matthew Tkachuk

- Eetu Luostarinen — Anton Lundell — Mackie Samoskevich

- Tomas Nosek — Jesper Boqvist — Jonah Gadjovich

Defense:

- Gustav Forsling — Aaron Ekblad

- Niko Mikkola — Nate Schmidt

- Dmitry Kulikov — Adam Boqvist

Goaltenders:

- Sergei Bobrovsky

- Spencer Knight

Can the Panthers Defend Their Title?

The Florida Panthers enter this season with the confidence of champions but also the challenges that come with being the team to beat. Their defense has been rebuilt, and their depth will be tested. However, with a core of superstars like Barkov and Tkachuk, plus a proven goaltender in Bobrovsky, the Panthers are more than capable of making another deep playoff run.

The road to repeating as Stanley Cup champions is rarely smooth, and Florida will need to overcome both internal and external challenges. But if their new additions can make an impact, and their stars continue to deliver, the Panthers could very well find themselves in the hunt for another Cup this season.