This week`s edition of the Friday Four delves into intriguing NHL storylines:
- The Panthers are positioned to potentially build a dynasty.
- Examining the risk and reward of short vs. long-term contracts.
- The Kings have made some interesting moves on their defence.
- Surprisingly, Jeannot remains in high demand.
Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand, Florida Panthers
Underestimate Bill Zito at your own risk.
Many believed it would be impossible for the Panthers to re-sign all three key players: Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand. However, GM Bill Zito successfully retained this core trio on long-term contracts. Zito even extended Marchand with a six-year deal despite his age (taking him to 43), seemingly unconcerned about the contract`s later years. His priority was clearly keeping the back-to-back Cup-winning squad intact, a significant challenge in the salary cap era.
While they`ve achieved significant success with three straight Finals appearances and two championships, it`s premature to definitively label them a dynasty. Teams like the recent Tampa Bay Lightning, Sidney Crosby`s Pittsburgh Penguins, and the Chicago Blackhawks of the 2010s also had stretches of dominance. However, those squads eventually faced salary cap constraints that hindered sustained greatness. The Panthers, conversely, appear built not only to contend for a three-peat but also to remain competitive for the foreseeable future.
