Dynasty in the Making? Inside the Panthers’ Formula for Consecutive Stanley Cups
Calendar icon Updated 08 Sep 17:16

Dynasty in the Making? Inside the Panthers’ Formula for Consecutive Stanley Cups

Juan Pablo Aravena Juan Pablo Aravena

Establishing a dynasty is hard in American sports, and the NHL is no exception. In a league where teams rarely win championships back-to-back, those that do are quickly called dynasties. The Florida Panthers are the latest side to achieve that feat after winning the Stanley Cup in the past two campaigns, 2023-24 and 2024-25.

However, is that enough to call the club a legit dynasty and place them alongside other franchises with that tag, like the New York Islanders and Edmonton Oilers in the 1980s, the Montreal Canadiens (1950s and 1970s), and the Chicago Blackhawks of the late 2000s and early 2010s? Read on to discover what our stats-based analysis reveals about the Panthers’ recent success.

Have the Panthers Done Enough To Be Considered a Dynasty?

Let’s get the initial question out of the way. The Panthers have done enough to be considered a modern dynasty. Aside from the fact that they’re the first franchise to win back-to-back titles since the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2019-20 and 2020-21, only one more franchise has achieved this in the millennium (Pittsburgh in 2016 and 2017). 

If we shorten the list to teams that have reached the Stanley Cup finals in three years in a row, the Panthers are the first to do it since the Lightning between 2020 and 2022. Before that, the Oilers did it between 1983 and 1985.

In short, when it comes to Stanley Cup Final appearances, the Panthers have achieved a very rare feat. Plus, the way this roster has been constructed is also very interesting.

How the Panthers Have Built a Powerhouse Roster

The Panthers have used a unique approach to roster building in an era where the salary cap carries more constraints than ever. Florida have made excellent moves in free agency and in developing their talent. However, what has truly set them apart are the excellent trades they’ve made over the last two seasons – deals that not only reshaped their roster but, in some cases, have shocked the entire league.

If we take a look at some of the players the Panthers have acquired via trade over the last few seasons, the haul is impressive. They’ve brought in Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett from the Calgary Flames, Brad Marchand from the Boston Bruins, Sam Reinhart from the Buffalo Sabres, and Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks.

The trade market isn’t the only way the Panthers have built an elite team on both ends of the ice, though. They’ve also been aggressive in free agency, signing the likes of Sergei Bobrovsky and Carter Verhaeghe, both players who have established themselves as elite contributors. When it comes to drafting and developing talent, Aleksander Barkov and Aaron Ekblad are perhaps the two biggest success stories in the franchise.

Roster Built for Continuity 

Not only have the Panthers acquired elite talent, but they’ve found a way to keep it all together, which is very uncommon in this era. Bennett signed an eight-year extension this summer, while Tkachuk, Reinhardt, and Marchand are all under contract until the end of the 2029-30 campaign at the earliest. Other key forwards, such as Verhaeghe, Barkov, and Anton Lundell, are also under contract over the same span.

Barkov is one of the players the Panthers drafted and developed into an absolute star. While doing so isn’t entirely odd in today’s NHL, he’s found a way to go from a heralded prospect to becoming one of the best centres in the league.

Some of the other key players who are locked in until at least 2029-30 are defensemen Jones, Ekblad, and Gustav Forsling. They might have issues between the posts since both Bobrovsky and Daniil Tarasov will be free agents after the 2025-26 campaign. However, it would be a major surprise to see Bobrovsky leave. The Panthers are expected to do everything in their power to keep him around.

Stars Performing When It Matters Most

It’s impossible to win in the NHL without stars performing at a high level. Not only that, but the Panthers’ best players have consistently stepped up in clutch moments. In the 2024 Stanley Cup playoffs, Barkov led the way with 22 points (eight goals, 14 assists) in 24 games, matching Tkachuk’s tally (six goals, 16 assists), while Verhaeghe chipped in 21 points (11 goals, 10 assists). 

The 2025 playoffs saw Reinhart, Tkachuk, and Verhaeghe lead the charge with 23 points each, while Bennett and Barkov recorded 22, and Marchand posted 20. That kind of balanced offensive output is hard to find in other top teams. Bennett was the biggest scoring threat with 15 goals, while Reinhart had 11, and Marchand potted 10. 

In terms of playmaking, Verhaeghe and Barkov led the way with 16 assists each, while Tkachuk added 15. Reinhart and Marchand were the only ones to post at least 10 goals and 10 assists during that playoff run.

Can the Panthers Repeat Their Feat in 2025-26?

The Panthers have built an outstanding roster on both sides of the puck, making full use of every avenue the league provides. By being aggressive when signing players and then finding a way to keep their stars around, the Panthers are a lock to remain an Eastern Conference contender for years to come. If their core remains healthy, it’s hard to see any team competing with them.

The odds seem to back that up. According to Tonybet, the Panthers are the favourites to win the 2025-26 Eastern Conference at +312, followed by the Carolina Hurricanes (+374), the Tampa Bay Lightning (+752), and the New Jersey Devils (+830). 

Unsurprisingly, the Panthers are also ranked as the biggest favourites to win the Stanley Cup at +599, followed by the Hurricanes (+798), the Edmonton Oilers (+848), the Vegas Golden Knights (+848), the Colorado Avalanche (+898), and the Dallas Stars (+998).

It’s a long and gruelling 84-game season, so anything can happen. On paper, though, the Panthers look well-equipped to maintain their dynasty status. After reaching three straight Stanley Cup Finals, they’ve already earned that label. Given the star power of their roster, with all key players signed to long-term deals, more Cup appearances in the coming years would hardly be a surprise.

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