Florida Panthers’ Blueprint: 5 Lessons for the Miami Marlins
Take note, Marlins. The Panthers built a championship team for the long haul.
The Florida Panthers are defending Stanley Cup champions — let that sink in.
Laundry from the rain-soaked parade hasn’t even been hung up yet, and we’re already looking forward to watching the Panthers begin to defend their title later this year. The thought of the Panthers hoisting the Cup a few years ago would have seemed far-fetched, but here we are.
The remarkable turnaround by South Florida’s long-lovable underdog gives us hope that the Miami Marlins noted the lessons the Panthers taught us about roster building and patience.
Here are five key takeaways the Marlins can learn from the Panthers’ successful blueprint.
Build Trust and Show Progress
South Florida fans are willing to be patient if they see genuine progress, but good luck getting them to tolerate being misled or manipulated. As the old saying goes, you can’t bullshit a bullshitter. Miamians can spot a deceiver a mile away.
The Panthers have rebuilt their franchise by making transparent, decisive, strategic moves. They’ve demonstrated a clear vision for the future. In contrast, after dismantling World Series teams and making empty promises to invest long-term in their roster, the Marlins have earned the reputation of a door-to-door salesman who might be looking to prey on your grandparents.
The Marlins must rebuild trust and re-engage a fanbase that has largely moved on. That comes not through a five-year plan or words but through action. The Panthers have shown that even when they fail, it’s more a product of opponents’ fierce competition than the Panthers’ unwillingness to compete.
