In the wake of Florida Panthers’ second consecutive Stanley Cup triumph, coach Paul Maurice heaped praise on the entire roster but grew visibly emotional when speaking about one unlikely hero: fourth-liner Tomas Nosek.
Nosek, who had a rough start to the Finals—his penalty leading to Edmonton’s Game 1 overtime winner—might have been written off by some. Yet, Maurice stood by him, reminding everyone that mistakes happen, and it was Nosek’s grit and determination that helped fuel the Panthers’ comeback. Maurice even related Nosek’s resilience to his own coaching error in a previous game, deepening the bond between coach and player.
More than just a one-off story, Maurice repeatedly credited his fourth line—Nosek, Jonah Gadjovich, and A.J. Greer—for turning the tide in critical moments, especially during the second-round comeback against Toronto. Depth, Maurice insists, is what wins championships. It’s not just about superstars; every line and defensive pairing must contribute.
Recognizing this, several contenders have focused on strengthening their depth in the offseason. Toronto, despite losing superstar Mitch Marner to Vegas, brought in gritty bottom-six players Nicolas Roy and Dakota Joshua, both playoff-tested and ready to battle Florida’s style. For some fans, this is viewed as an upgrade—players built for playoff intensity replacing a star who sometimes struggled under the spotlight.
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Similarly, the New Jersey Devils have bolstered their roster with Connor Brown—who brings two recent Finals appearances—and Evgenii Dadonov, a proven postseason scorer. While New Jersey’s success hinges on stars like Jack Hughes and Nico Hischier, these additions underscore the playoff blueprint: solid secondary contributors who can kill penalties and provide clutch scoring.
But these challengers will have to get through the reigning champions first—teams who understand that a dynasty isn’t built on stars alone but on a full roster firing on all cylinders.
And speaking of experienced depth, the Los Angeles Kings made a particularly shrewd signing: Corey Perry. The veteran winger, having appeared in five of the last six Stanley Cup Finals, brings invaluable playoff experience that can tip the scales. Alongside new acquisitions like Joel Armia, Cody Ceci, and Brian Dumoulin, the Kings are quietly stacking their deck for another deep run.
This piece originally appeared in our 2025 Yearbook and Fantasy Guide, featuring detailed team reports for all 32 NHL clubs ahead of the 2025-26 season. Inside, you’ll find analyses of offense, defense, goaltending, and predictions for final standings, along with profiles on stars like Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Rasmus Andersson, plus a look at the top skaters and netminders to watch this year.
