Stanley Cup champs Florida Panthers rile up crowd at Miami Dolphins NFL season opener

On Sunday, Hard Rock Stadium was full of excitement as the Florida Panthers, recent Stanley Cup champions, joined the Miami Dolphins’ NFL season opener. Panthers players Carter Verhaeghe, Niko Mikkola, and Aaron Ekblad rallied the crowd before the game.

They led a lively "Let's Go Dolphins!" chant, with General Manager Bill Zito and the Dolphins mascot joining in. The Panthers also shared moments from their Stanley Cup victory parade. Fans saw them playing catch and Dolphins running back Raheem Mostert holding the Cup.

The Florida Panthers’ presence added a special touch to the Dolphins' game day. It showed how sports can bring different fans together.

Florida Panthers enter the 2024-25 season with a revamped roster but face challenges to defend their Stanley Cup Championship win

The Florida Panthers enter the 2024-25 season after winning the Stanley Cup last year. They have a strong roster with good offense, defense, and goaltending. However, winning back-to-back championships is always tough in the NHL. Despite this challenge, the Panthers are well-equipped to compete.

They’ve made some key additions to their team. Nate Schmidt, a 33-year-old defenseman, signed a one-year contract. He brings experience and has worked with coach Paul Maurice before. Tomas Nosek, a forward recovering from injury, will likely play on the fourth line. Adam Boqvist, a 23-year-old defenseman, could help with the power play. His older brother, Jesper Boqvist, could also fill in as a fourth-line center.

The Panthers also lost some important players. Defenseman Brandon Montour, who was a key part of their power play, left for the Seattle Kraken. Vladimir Tarasenko, a forward who contributed late in the season, signed with the Detroit Red Wings. Another defenseman, Oliver Ekman-Larsson, joined the Toronto Maple Leafs. Backup goalie Anthony Stolarz, who had an excellent season, also signed with Toronto.

Most of the team’s core remains, including Sam Reinhart and Anton Lundell, who signed new contracts. They lost two top defensemen, but Schmidt and Boqvist should help. The team may still look to add more depth on defense. With Chris Driedger joining as a backup goalie, their goaltending situation is stable.

The Panthers are set up well for the season with a strong roster. However, repeating as champions will be tough. They have a strong roster but face tough competition.