As the NHL offseason winds down and everyone turns their attention to the start of the 2026-27 season, which is just 25 days from the date of this article, media outlets are giving their bold predictions for the upcoming season. One of Bleacher Report's latest predictions, however, suggests the Florida Panthers are among the NHL teams most likely to disappoint in 2026-27.
The prediction is especially interesting because earlier this summer another Bleacher Report writer projected Florida to reach at least the Eastern Conference Final. With the team healthy, except for Marchand, who announced late-summer surgery, the Panthers actually appear to be a better team on paper. This offseason, they acquired former 30-goal scorer Brady Tkachuk and brought back Radko Gudas and Jacob Markström.
Of course, the competition in the Eastern Conference is much better, as two up-and-coming teams, the Buffalo Sabres and Montreal Canadiens, each had 100-point seasons. At the same time, the Panthers tumbled near the bottom of the Atlantic Division. Moreover, the Toronto Maple Leafs have first-overall pick Gavin McKenna in their lineup, plus a healthy Auston Matthews.
Ultimately, it’s a different NHL heading into next season than it was when the Panthers last hoisted the Stanley Cup.
Why the Panthers Could Prove Bleacher Report Wrong
Last year proved the Panthers are indeed in a vulnerable situation. With almost every star player missing time, the club struggled to recapture the magic of the previous three seasons. Unfortunately, everyone is a year older now, and injuries are more common later in a player’s career. Florida learned the hard way that they don’t have the reinforcements to win meaningful hockey games.
That’s why some people believe the hype surrounding the Panthers in 2026-27 could be a lot of smoke and mirrors. Besides possible injuries, one of the team’s biggest question marks is Markström and whether he can still be an elite goalie at 36. It’s been pointed out several times before that despite compiling the second most wins by a Swedish goalie in NHL history, he’s never led a team to the Conference Final, let alone play in the Stanley Cup Final.
If anyone wants to throw water on the Panthers this season, they shouldn't focus on the injuries or the fact that everyone is a year older. This year's team will be hungry to win again, something they missed out on last season. If the Panthers disappoint in 2026-27, it probably won't be because the core suddenly forgot how to win. It'll come down to one question: can Markström provide the same level of stability Sergei Bobrovsky gave Florida during its championship years?
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