FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – The Florida Panthers, fresh off their historic Stanley Cup victory, are officially back in action as they prepare to defend their title.
Media Day on Wednesday marked the start of the new season, with the team ready to embark on another championship quest.
Despite a brief offseason, the Panthers are brimming with optimism and readiness.
The Panthers are set to kick off their training camp on Thursday, followed by their first preseason games this weekend. A doubleheader against the Nashville Predators is scheduled for Sunday, marking the beginning of their bid for a repeat.
The mood at Media Day was charged with excitement and anticipation.
Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk reflected on the remarkable summer the team experienced, winning their first-ever Stanley Cup, but insists they are focused on what lies ahead.
“I haven’t seen anything like this in my life,” said Tkachuk. “You’ve got grown men crying.”
The Panthers are determined to avoid what many refer to as the “championship hangover.”
“Our veteran players that we return this year are at or above their fitness level from last year,” said Panthers head coach Paul Maurice. “We don’t believe in the hangover concept.”
Tkachuk shared his confidence in the team’s ability to leverage their experience.
“The greatest asset you can have is experience,” he said. “I probably wouldn’t have said that going into two years ago or even last year. But the experience that we have gained is honestly priceless.”
As the Panthers prepare for training camp, they are focused on maintaining the high level of performance that led them to the Cup.
The preseason will provide an opportunity to fine-tune their strategies and build chemistry ahead of the regular season.
As the Panthers gear up for the season, fans can look forward to an exciting journey filled with anticipation and hope for back-to-back championships.