SUNRISE, Fla. – The Florida Panthers were back on the ice Thursday, kicking off their first day of training camp as they prepare for another shot at Lord Stanley.
With the echoes of last season’s thrilling run still fresh, Panthers head coach Paul Maurice is sticking to what worked in last season’s championship run.
The Panthers, who clinched their Stanley Cup victory with a gritty Game 7 win against the Edmonton Oilers, began this year’s camp running a familiar drill.
Players battled for the puck in the corners of the rink, a scene that reminded those in attendance of those tense final moments when the Cats held off the Oilers to secure the Cup.
“Going back to basics and not getting ahead of ourselves is one of the most important things we can do,” said Maurice.
The emphasis on structure and discipline comes as the Panthers look to build on their success while also improving in key areas.
Maurice, entering his second full season with the team, discussed the importance of staying grounded despite the excitement surrounding the new season.
“Certainly, you want to feel like you can add things to your game and grow, and we still have lots of room for that,” Maurice said “But we have to recognize that we can still get better. The foundation of what we’re doing hasn’t changed.”
Maurice also used the first day of camp to show his players film from last season’s Stanley Cup run. But instead of a motivational montage, he showed a video that served as an instructional tool, reinforcing the value of hard work and execution under pressure.
The road ahead
The Panthers’ preseason schedule kicks off with a doubleheader against the Nashville Predators on Sunday. While the games are exhibitions, they will serve as an important test for a team that is determined to prove that last season was no fluke.
“It was an unbelievable feeling and I think every player lives for that moment,” said forward Eetu Luostarinen.
With the regular season opener set for Oct. 8, the Panthers have a few weeks to fine-tune their systems and get into game shape.
As the team works to build off its successful formula, Panthers fans are eagerly awaiting the start of the new season, hoping to witness another championship run.
And with the same back-to-basics approach that brought them to the pinnacle of hockey, the Panthers seem ready for the challenge.