Winning the Stanley Cup is the ultimate team achievement. Hockey naturally requires a
team mentality. The best players in the world only play about 40 percent of each game.
The guys on the bottom pairings and lines might just get single digit shifts. To reach the
top of the mountain, everyone contributes. They must in order to survive the gauntlet
that is the NHL playoffs.
32 men suited up for the Florida Panthers this season. 23 played at least one game in
the postseason. This is an appreciation for each one of those 23 players and a couple
others that had significant contributions on the path to glory.
Today, we’ll look at the defensemen and goalies.
Uvis Balinskis: A depth signing with minimal experience on North American ice,
Balinskis filled in admirably when the Panthers were down two top-4 defensemen and
showed a 200-foot acumen that earned him a second contract. His game can only grow
from here and it looks like he’ll get an opportunity in 2024-25.
Tobias Björnfot: He got the gift of lifting the Stanley Cup, but Björnfot only joined the
organization in early March, making just a single regular season appearance against the New York Rangers on the 23rd. Still, he participated in practices and helped prepare the team for every game. Next season, Tobias will get an opportunity to make the team. Zito doesn’t make waiver claims without a plan.
Sergei Bobrovsky: What can be said that hasn’t been said — by teammates, by
coaches, and by fans. From a goat in the early years of his Panther contract to
potentially one of the greatest of all-time, Bobrovsky put in his most consistent,
dependable season in net for the Cats at age 35. The saves that he made during the
playoffs will never be forgotten.
Aaron Ekblad: Criticize his speed and mobility, bash his mistakes, but you cannot
question Aaron Ekblad’s commitment to the organization and the team. A few years
ago, he finally stopped barking at officials and truly began to become a leader. Ekblad’s
conversion from offensive-minded, goal-scoring defenseman to a hard-nosed, shutdown
option on the blueline is a seismic shift that filled a significant need for the Panthers. In
his late prime, he redefined his archetype and bought in to yet another head coach. If
guys like Barkov and Ekblad — each of whom have played under a litany of head
coaches — don’t believe in the system and message of Maurice, this championship
doesn’t happen. A warrior’s mentality from Ekblad on these two playoff runs.
Oliver Ekman-Larsson: A beautiful marriage for one year, the Panthers and Ekman-
Larsson needed each other this season. Ekman-Larsson needed a rebound after
getting bought out of his contract in Vancouver and the Panthers were missing veteran
presence with Ekblad and Brandon Montour missing time at start the season. It couldn’t
have worked out more perfectly. Ekman-Larsson stepped into a top-4 role for the first
quarter of the season and then seamlessly transitioned to a bottom pairing responsibility
— showing his experience and commitment. Ekman-Larsson played with far more grit
and attitude than his scouting report would suggest. Like many marriages, this one
ended in divorce with one party seeking a better financial situation. Still, Ekman-Larsson
was a huge part of this championship.
Gustav Forsling: The journey from unwanted waiver claim to star defenseman has
been well-documented. Forsling is so good, like really good. He’s an inspiration for
young players everywhere that get a second or third opportunity in the NHL. He wasn’t
at his pinnacle in his early 20’s. He is now. Forsling’s full arsenal was a massive
influence on the Panthers’ success. The numbers don’t lie. He dominates opponents
when on the ice and he’s a special player.
Dmitry Kulikov: The memories of early season blunders and gaffes were distant by
the start of the playoffs. Kulikov was steady, rugged, and well-positioned for most of the
season and just about every playoff game. He’s simplified his game, eliminated the risk,
and become a veteran leader. It was perfect to have him back at home.
Josh Mahura: After being a regular for last season, Mahura took it on the chin for
playing time in 2023-24. We didn’t get to see him much this year, but his contributions
from last year and in spot duty this season are still blocks that built towards a day of
Cup hoisting in late June. He’s a good enough defenseman to play top six in the NHL
and was at the ready for the Panthers.
Niko Mikkola: Last summer, the signing of Mikkola to a three-year deal was considered
one of the worst value deals by media outlets like The Athletic. Mikkola proved all of
those people wrong and Zito right. His hulking frame and reach fit perfectly with
Maurice’s defensive system. Mikkola embraced the Panthers’ style of physicality and he
seems to be a great personality addition in the locker room as well. He also scored a
huge goal in the Final.
Brandon Montour: From the moment Montour stepped on the ice with the Panthers in
2021, his heart was on his sleeve. A guy that talks, chirps, and cracks jokes, Montour’s
work ethic immediately meshed with the Panthers. He furthered his game under
Maurice, playing monster minutes and putting up 106 points over the last two seasons. The
fire, courageousness, daring, and dynamic play he delivered from the blue line gave the
Panthers a type of weapon that fans in Sunrise had never seen before. He got paid this
summer, but he paid back the organization tenfold for his trade acquisition cost of a third
round pick.
Anthony Stolarz: Coming into the season, goaltending was a serious question mark.
Bobrovsky had been good in the playoffs, but was not consistent during the 2022-23
regular season. Alex Lyon, a near cult hero, moved on. In stepped journeyman Stolarz. His ability to seal the bottom of the net compliments the Panthers defensive game and Stolarz
proved he was capable of making big saves. Bobrovsky faltered just once in the
playoffs, so Stolarz didn’t get much time in the postseason, but he was a stellar back-up
during the regular season and nearly always gave the Cats a chance to win during his
starts.