Can Florida Panthers repeat as Stanley Cup champions?

Repeat Stanley Cup champions are rare in the NHL. In the last 30 years, only three teams have accomplished the feat: the 1997-98 Red Wings, the 2016-17 Penguins and the 2020-21 Lightning. Now, the Florida Panthers will look to do just that after hoisting Lord Stanley's Cup last June. 

Will they be able to repeat? They certainly look poised to have a good chance. After 30 games, the Panthers sit seventh in the league with 38 points, 18 wins and a .633 win percentage. 

Let's examine why Florida may or may not repeat as Stanley Cup champions.

Retaining the core

After the Panthers' season ended, several key players entered free agency, the biggest being 50-goal scorer Sam Reinhart.

Many speculated that Reinhart would be looking to land a big deal; Florida ended up re-signing him to a team-friendly eight-year, $69 million deal ($8,625,000 AAV). Reinhart currently leads the Panthers with 19 goals and 39 points in 30 games.

In addition to Reinhart, the Panthers signed restricted free agent and two-way center Anton Lundell to a six-year, $30 million deal ($5,000,000 AAV). After seeing some increased ice time, the 23-year-old had 17 points in 24 postseason games and 19 points in 29 games this season.

Finally, Florida secured top-six winger Carter Verhaeghe, who was set to become an unrestricted free agent in 2025, signing him to an eight-year, $56 million deal ($7,000,000) AAV). 

The 29-year-old Verhaeghe has 23 points in 30 games and is second on the team with 11 power-play points.

Special teams' prowess

Both of the Panthers' special teams have been excellent this season. Their power play ranks seventh overall at 26.8 percent, while their penalty kill is 12th at 80.9 percent. Their combined special teams percentage, 107.7, is fifth overall in the league.

Additionally, Florida's expected goals for 5v4 are second in the league at 21.15 for the season. The Panthers are excellent at scoring short-handed, leading the league with six short-handed goals.

Special teams can be key come playoff time; the two Stanley Cup finalists were ranked first and second in penalty kill for the playoffs (Edmonton at 94.3% and Florida at 88.0%). If the Panthers can keep up their numbers, they should be a favorite come playoff time.

Goaltending struggles

Although Panthers skaters have played well, the team's goaltending has been an issue this season. 

Starting goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky, who was a big reason Florida won the Stanley Cup last June, has struggled. His .892 save percentage is 36th among qualified goaltenders and well below his career average of .914.

The 36-year-old's goals saved above average is also poor, at 70th overall for goaltenders with a -4.9 number.

His partner in net, the 23-year-old Spencer Knight, hasn't fared much better, with just a .890 save percentage in 11 games. If Florida wants to repeat as champions, they'll need much better results in net.

Florida is currently tied for the second-highest odds to win the Stanley Cup at +1000, according to FanDuel. If Bobrovsky can find his groove again, they'll have a good chance to repeat as Stanley Cup champions in 2025.