The Stanley Cup final is all sorted, and we have another repeat champion in the NHL. The Florida Panthers are a great hockey team that has benefited from solid roster construction and systems from head coach Paul Maurice, who now joins the 17 other head coaches who have successfully led their team to back-to-back Cup victories. Just what can be learned from this Panthers squad? In my opinion, it’s that Cup winners can be formed with splashy trades and free agent signings. This truth will likely spur a crazy free agent frenzy on July 1st, and an even splashier deadline next February.

Proof in the Pudding

The Colorado Avalanche attempted to make moves at the deadline, and beyond that, they felt would align them with the Stanley Cup. Still, instead, they met the Stars and couldn’t get past them yet again, but it wasn’t for a lack of trying. Chris MacFarland’s attempts at the deadline fit the model that Florida went with, as he did all he could to solidify the 2024-25 Colorado Avalanche roster. Florida and Colorado’s strategy at the deadline isn’t exactly new, and it’s also already proven to work. The last four Cup Champions have made substantial trades to bolster their top 6 groups and D core, leading into their runs. Here’s a breakdown of notable deadline acquisitions from those four champions:

2022 Colorado Avalanche – Andrew Cogliano, Arturri Lehkonen

2023 Vegas Golden Knights – Ivan Barbashev

2024 Florida Panthers – Kyle Okposo, Vladimir Tarasenko

2025 Florida Panthers – Brad Marchand, Seth Jones

Target Practice

Some of those acquisitions were more impactful than others, and these teams made moves in the years preceding that also bolstered the group. However, they prove that trading for depth at the deadline can work out. A lot has been made about the Avalanche leveraging prospect talent and draft capital over the last few seasons, and there’s merit to the criticism. Still, I don’t think it’s the approach that failed Colorado. I think it’s been the targeted players that have let them down.

The “F them picks” model is going anywhere here in Colorado, and as the dust settles on 2025, I don’t think it should. They should go for broke, but be aware of the risks they are taking. With that knowledge of risk and reward, MacFarland and Sakic need to target the right players. If they do, they will be planning another parade. If they don’t pick the correct targets, drastic changes will likely come sooner, but you don’t get anywhere in life without taking a chance. Tee it high, and let it fly.

Let me know what you think in the comments!