Former Florida Panthers goaltender Kirk McLean has told BetVictor that he believes his old side, with the help of head coach Paul Maurice, have been able to bring a winning culture to the city, suggesting that this culture is something they did not have during his time in Florida.
He said: “Watching the Florida Panthers franchise develop into one of the top teams in the NHL today has been very pleasant. To compare them now, to how they were in the early 90’s when they were a brand-new team, there is a big difference.
“When the Panthers were first established, they went on a cup run but then went through a bunch of lean years. It’s not that they had bad management or bad players back then, but now they have been able to bring a winning culture to the city and to the club.
“Paul Maurice has done a wonderful job at the Florida Panthers; he is a big reason as to why they are where they are at the top end of the NHL today. They are a stingy hockey club who have put all the pieces in place and no matter who they come up against they are going to be a force to be reckoned with.”
Florida Panthers can return to Stanley Cup Finals
The Florida Panthers have made two Stanley Cup Finals appearances, first in 1996 and again in 2023, losing both. However, McLean believes that the Panthers could return again this year, with the help of players like goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky.
He said: “Florida Panthers had gotten off to a little bit of a slow start, but they have turned it around and they are definitely up at the top battling it out for number one spot again.”
“I would say that the Panthers have a decent chance of returning to the Finals much like they did last year.”
McLean added: “Sergei Bobrovsky has come into his own in net for the Florida Panthers. He had a great career at the Columbus Blue Jackets and kind of fell off the map a little bit. But he’s really found his game back at the Panthers. As I would say, you build your Championship teams from your goaltender out!”
