Panthers Winger Ready for Another Stanley Cup Defense

History Within Reach

The Panthers are attempting to do what hasn’t been accomplished since the 1980s, when the New York Islanders won four consecutive Stanley Cups. The dynasty established has yet to be matched. Teams have come close, however. The Edmonton Oilers, who ended the Islanders’ run back in the 80s, won five out of seven championships between 1984 and 1990. The Pittsburgh Penguins (twice), the Detroit Red Wings and Tampa Bay Lightning won back-to-back titles since the 1990 season, but no one has been able to do it three straight times since that historic Islanders team.

While there is a target on the backs of every Panthers player, they counter with a confidence that is unmatched in the NHL. They carried that into the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals when they dismantled the Edmonton Oilers for a second straight year.

”Not to sound cocky by any means, there was a confidence there," he said. "There was an experience from the year prior that we thought we were a better team than we were the year before, that as long as we did what we had to do, we were going to win again. Happy to see that happen.”

It’s also a huge part of what will bring them success in the coming campaign. It’s a swagger that every defending champion team carries, but as Rodrigues puts it, the Panthers just know when to flip that switch and activate their killer instincts.

”It's a great group to be around,” he said. "We get to live in Florida and enjoy the weather and everything that comes with it. I don't think I've been on a team where you get to the rink, you'll laugh, play and enjoy every second when it comes to working. It's almost like the flip of a switch. We know how to go from messing around to let's put our work boots on.”