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1h ago

Panthers Raise Second Straight Cup Banner as Three-Peat Bid Begins

Serious setbacks to Aleksander Barkov plus Matthew Tkachuk cloud Florida’s early-season plans.

A.J. Greer scores the first goal for the Florida Panthers in their home opener against the Chicago Blackhawks on Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise. (Mike Stocker/South Florida Sun Sentinel)
Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; The Florida Panthers pose for a photo with the Stanley Cup after winning game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-Imagn Images
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The Florida Panthers watch as their 2025 Stanley Cup championship banner is raised ahead of their victory over visiting Chicago in the 2025-26 NHL season opener

Overview

  • Florida opened the 2025–26 season in Sunrise with a banner ceremony at Amerant Bank Arena, where assistant captain Aaron Ekblad carried and hoisted the Stanley Cup before the unfurling.
  • Players and coaches received their 2025 championship rings in a private event the night before the banner-raising.
  • Captain Aleksander Barkov tore the ACL and MCL in his knee during the first training-camp practice and is expected to miss several months, leaving his season in doubt.
  • Matthew Tkachuk is recovering from offseason surgery and is likely out until December, according to team guidance.
  • The Panthers kept key pieces of their core, including Brad Marchand, Sam Bennett and Aaron Ekblad, and began the schedule against the Blackhawks as fans chanted for a rare three-peat last achieved by the early-1980s Islanders.