The Florida Panthers have only qualified for the playoffs in consecutive seasons on one occasion in franchise history.
And that was all the way back in 1997, when the Panthers were fresh off a surprising trip to the Stanley Cup Final the previous season. But after a playoff berth last season, not only are the Panthers expected to return to the postseason next spring, they are even being tabbed as a darkhorse Stanley Cup contender by many pundits.
Part of the optimism swirling around the Panthers is the fact they pushed their state rival — and eventual Stanley Cup champion — Tampa Bay Lightning to six games before losing a thrilling and entertaining opening-round series.
On Monday, The Athletic Hockey Show welcomed Florida head coach Joel Quenneville to the podcast to discuss the high expectations that are suddenly swirling around his team heading into the 2021-22 season. Quenneville discussed a wide range of topics, including the return of Aaron Ekblad, the evolution of Mackenzie Weegar, the expectations around Spencer Knight, their rivalry with the Lightning and what it will mean to him when he reaches the 1000-win plateau as a head coach later this season.
The interview with Ian Mendes and Hailey Salvian from Monday’s episode of The Athletic Hockey Show is transcribed below.
