The Florida Panthers enter their 2024-25 campaign as reigning Stanley Cup champions after beating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 three months ago. They look to become the first team since their in-state foe, the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020 and 2021, to go back-to-back as champions.
One of the biggest builders of the competitive roster was general manager (GM) Bill Zito. Since his hiring in 2020, he’s continued to keep the team at a high level. However, it was no easy accomplishment, given the controversy and obstacles that he had overcome over the past few seasons.
Finding a Replacement for Joel Quenneville
For years, former Chicago Blackhawks head coach Joel Quenneville was regarded as one of the best coaches of all time. It was easy to see with three Stanley Cups on his head coaching resume and four in his NHL coaching career. He became the Panthers’ head coach in 2019 under then-GM Dale Tallon. When Zito was brought in, he had full intention of keeping him around with how great of a coach he was.
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This was until a sexual assault investigation started with the 2010 Blackhawks involving former video coach Bradley Aldrich and forward Kyle Beach. During that offseason, Quenneville gave Aldrich a positive review for his work, making him an accessory to the cover-up. After the investigation concluded, he was forced to resign mere days after the 2021-22 season began. As a result of his dismissal, the team promoted Andrew Brunette to head coach under an interim status.
Despite the turmoil, the Panthers would go on to win the Presidents’ Trophy for the first time in franchise history that season. They also won their first playoff series since 1996. But most of that magic was destroyed as their division rival, the Lightning, swept them in the second round. With that punch to the gut, Zito had to return to the drawing board.
Trading Away a Core Piece for a New One
In the summer of 2022, Zito conducted arguably the craziest trade of his tenure as Panthers general manager. He shipped off a core forward who was coming off of the first 100-point season in Panthers history, Jonathan Huberdeau, to the Calgary Flames. He, along with defenseman MacKenzie Weeger, was dealt in exchange for a new centerpiece for the team in Matthew Tkachuk, who was also fresh off a 100-point season.
The move may have been an overpay, but it worked out massively for Florida. In nearly two full seasons,…
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