Florida Panthers: Real Hope Has Arrived at the BB&T Center

Another Florida Panthers season is about to roll around. Could this be the year that changes everything for the organization and the fans?

Well, here we go Panther fans. It’s time. The start of the season has arrived and after last year’s finish, it has the entire organization and fans hoping and wanting more.

At around this same time last season, most people were down on the Panthers. Many had them in a ‘rebuilding stage’ with not enough talent across the board.

However, after a year removed from missing the playoffs by a single point, things have changed for the Cats. Sure, there will be the ones who will constantly be doubtful, but there is real hope and real opportunity for the Panthers to not just be a good team, but to be a contender.

When the Panthers went on that torrid late stretch to push for the last wildcard spot, most fans really believed that they would squeak in.

Up to the second last day of the season, everybody had belief that somehow the Panthers would be able to make it. Unfortunately, the Cats didn’t make it, but it’s only left a bitter taste not only in the mouths of the fans, but in the entire organization.

In fact, the disappointment of missing the playoffs could be a blessing in disguise for the team as they try to reach the playoffs for the first time since 2015-16.

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As the numerous amount of season predictions role in from experts and analysts around the league, the Panthers have become a popular team that many expect to make it. And It’s pretty obvious why.

This team is perhaps the most talented and capable team that the organization has ever had. Bursting with depth and talent, this team just feels destined to do something great.

A lot of fans may just be hoping for a wildcard berth, but why not look to conquer it all? Why can’t this team be the team that Panther fans have so desperately longed for? Why can’t this team be the one who brings the Stanley Cup to South Florida?

Now, while Florida may have one of the best teams in the league, there are a bunch of other teams in the Eastern Conference who are loaded as well.

The powerhouses of the Penguins, Lightning, Maple Leafs, Capitals, and others are also filled with talent of their own.

Crosby, Malkin, Stamkos, Kucherov, Matthews, Tavares, Ovechkin, Backstrom, the list goes on and on with superstars who are also looking to bring a cup to their city.

At a glance, it may seem like the Panthers just aren’t ready to compete with these elite teams, but who said it was going to be easy?

The Panthers may not have the big name superstars, but they have the underdog stars who are almost just as deadly as the big names listed above. The Cats are ready, and they have the chip on their shoulder to do great things this year.

Every year it seems like fans are just hoping for a playoff berth. Just hoping that the team can play at least two playoff games in Sunrise, Florida. Just hoping that they can see the BB&T Center packed with thousands of fans cheering on the team as they hit the ice.

Well, it’s time to expect more. It’s time to hope for more. It’s time to believe that there will be more than just a first round playoff berth. It’s time for the fans to really believe that this team can go all the way.

I’m not saying that the Panthers are going to win the cup. I’m not saying that the Panthers aren’t going to win the cup. I’m not saying that the Panthers will win a playoff round. I’m not saying that the Panthers will not win a playoff round.

What I’m saying is that this team has what it takes to not just win one, two, or three playoff round(s), but to win all four rounds required to bring the Stanley Cup home.

There will always be tons of doubters and naysayers about the Panthers being legitimate contenders. But, Panther fans should believe and hope that this will be the year that changes everything for this entire franchise.

Florida have all the tools to make this a truly unforgettable season. So, as the Panthers season gets underway in Tampa, I leave all of you with one final question: why not us?