The Florida Panthers will enter the 2024-25 season stylin’ and profilin’ when they flash these bad boys at the Cup/banner-raising celebration ahead of tonight’s season opener!
The inside of the ring is the best part. Having each playoff opponent scratched out with the series standings next to it is a really nice touch.
But even more exciting than that - in this humble blogger’s opinion - is the release of the opening night roster.
There’s been a surprising amount of negativity from fans after seeing the above. I think people forget about the cap constraints the Panthers face, as well as the losses every team experiences after winning the Cup. There was little-to-no-room for Zito to work with. Given that criteria, I think he did a pretty good job.
The core of Tkachuk, Barkov, Reinhart, Forsling, Bennett, Verhaeghe, and Ekblad (though more of an honorary core member now) is still intact. They are now flanked by a cast of less expensive characters — glue guys and role players.
I’m happy to see Entwistle on the roster. By no means will he knock your socks off, but he’s a solid lower line guy that will find occasionally find the back of the net.
I was surprised to see the Boqvist Bros make the lineup. Not so much Adam (I assumed he’d be starting Game 1), but Jesper. I don’t know a lot about him. He’s spent time with both the Devils and Bruins, bouncing between the NHL and AHL clubs since 2019.
Here is his 2017 scouting report per
Elite Prospects:
”Boqvist is an offensive skilled player with impressive skating and puck skills. Shifty player who scores spectacular goals from time to time. There's some consistency issues, but when on top of his game, Boqvist can be quite dominant with the puck and an offensive threat.”
The defense is pretty much exactly what I pictured, expect I wasn’t sure if Uvis Balinskis would make the cut or not. I’m glad he did. I thought he played well when inserted into the lineup at various times last year. He plays a responsible game. This is a pretty good looking blue line in my eyes. Again, it won’t have that flash of a Monty/OEL, but I think it will be defensively sound - which is much more important.
This is all tied together with Bob and Driedger platooning.
Can’t wait to see Jameson Olive’s Tweet showing us how these lines and pairings will come together for the game!
I love that the Cats are opening up against the Bruins. It’s been such a fun rivalry that has really accelerated the past couple years with both teams reaching very high levels of play. It rules even more to be facing them on the tail end of the Swayman contract drama. I’m really surprised he got an 8 x 8.25 deal.
Anyways…
It should be a great game with a hot crowd. The players/fans will be juiced up coming off the pre-game Cup celebration activities, while the B’s will no doubt be seeking revenge for the past two Round 1 exits. Boston wants to spoil the evening, and they want to spoil it bad…
Let’s start things off right, fellas!
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Hockey is back and it feels so good!
Guys - please be safe out there with all these storms hitting the area…and Go Panthers!
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