How Eastern Conference champion Florida Panthers were built

The Panthers are seeking their first title after getting swept by the Colorado Avalanche in the 1996 Cup Final in their only other appearance.

Two players who have played at least one game in the Stanley Cup Playoffs for Florida this season have won the Stanley Cup: forwards Eric Staal with the Hurricanes in 2006, and Carter Verhaeghe with the Tampa Bay Lightning in 2020.

Of the 23 Panthers players to play at least one postseason game, 11 were signed in free agency, six were acquired via trade, three were selected by Florida in the NHL Draft, and three were claimed off waivers.

Here’s how the roster of this Stanley Cup finalist was built, with background on the coaching staff and general manager:

FORWARDS

Aleksander Barkov, C: Selected in the first round (No. 2) of the 2013 NHL Draft, Barkov had 78 points (23 goals, 55 assists) in 68 regular-season games and has 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) in 16 playoff games. He has been captain for the past five seasons.

Sam Bennett, C: Acquired in a trade with the Calgary Flames on April 21, 2021 with a sixth-round pick in the 2022 NHL Draft for forward prospect Emil Heineman and a second-round pick in 2022, Bennett had 40 points (16 goals, 24 assists) in 63 regular-season games and has 11 points (four goals, seven assists) in 15 playoff games.

Nick Cousins, C: Signed as a free agent on July 13, 2022, Cousins had 27 points (nine goals, 18 assists) in 79 regular-season games and has six points (two goals, four assists) in 16 playoff games.

Zac Dalpe, C: Signed as a free agent on July 30, 2021, Dalpe had four points (two goals, two assists) in 14 regular-season games and has one goal in nine playoff games.

Anthony Duclair, LW: Signed as a free agent on Dec. 17, 2020, Duclair had nine points (two goals, seven assists) in 20 regular-season games and has nine points (three goals, six assists) in 15 playoff games.

Ryan Lomberg, LW: Signed as a free agent on Oct. 9, 2020, Lomberg had 20 points (12 goals, eight assists) in 82 regular-season games and has one goal in eight playoff games.

Anton Lundell, C: Selected in the first round (No. 12) of the 2020 NHL Draft, Lundell had 33 points (12 goals, 21 assists) in 73 regular-season games and has seven points (one goal, six assists) in 16 playoff games.

Eetu Luostarinen, C: Acquired in a trade with the Carolina Hurricanes on Feb. 23, 2020 with defenseman Chase Priskie, and forwards Erik Haula and Lucas Wallmark for forward Vincent Trocheck, Luostarinen had an NHL career-high 43 points (17 goals, 26 assists) in 82 regular-season games and has five points (two goals, three assists) in 16 playoff games.

Sam Reinhart, C: Acquired in a trade with the Buffalo Sabres on July 24, 2021 for goalie Devon Levi and a first-round pick in the 2022 draft, Reinhart had 67 points (31 goals, 36 assists) in 82 regular-season games and has 11 points (seven goals, four assists) in 16 playoff games.

Video: CAR@FLA, Gm3: Reinhart turns and fires home a PPG

Givani Smith, RW: Acquired from…