Analyst names top competition for Panthers in 2024-25

The Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup champions for the first time in their history thanks to their thrilling seven-game series victory over the Edmonton Oilers earlier in the spring. They were able to narrowly avoid a historic collapse that would have seen them drop four straight after having initially taken a three games to none series lead, and it's been non-stop partying ever since.

And despite the fact that they've lost several key players from their Cup run, they're still the top dog in the NHL until someone knocks them off their perch. And according to TSN's Bryan Hayes, one Eastern Conference squad is in prime position to do so.

“I think it’s a lot like the Kansas City Chiefs in the NFL, Scully, where, I’d argue it’s themselves," he said. "I think it’s the Florida Panthers themselves. Do they run into injuries? Do they get complacent? But pushing Florida aside in talking about who’s going to challenge them. I’ll go with the team they met in the Eastern Final and that would be the New York Rangers."

As you remember, it was the Rangers who battled the Panthers in the Eastern Conference Final, ultimately falling short in six games. But could they extract some revenge in the upcoming season? 

"I think Florida is still the clear-cut favorite," he said. "Very difficult to go to three straight cup finals, albeit Tampa just did it a couple of years ago. But if I had to pick one team to chase down the Champs as of today, it would be the New York Rangers in the East.”

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