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From laughingstock to destination to champion: The Panthers' journey to winning the Stanley Cup

After 30 years of failure and frustration, the Panthers are now a prestige franchise. Here's how it all transpired, and how they build from here.

13hGreg Wyshynski
Joel Auerbach/Getty Images

Brooks Koepka, Miami Dolphins lead reactions to Panthers Stanley Cup win

The Florida Panthers secured their first Stanley Cup by defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 7 -- and elicited congratulatory posts on social media.

13hESPN Staff
Stanley Cup Final - Game 7FLA wins series 4-3

Panthers avoid collapse to capture first Stanley Cup in Game 7 thriller

The Panthers fend off the Oilers in Game 7 with a 2-1 victory to win the franchise's first Stanley Cup championship.

11h
2:13

Sergei Bobrovsky's lights-out 3rd period seals win for Panthers

Sergei Bobrovsky secures the Panthers' Stanley Cup victory over the Oilers with a magnificent shutout third period.

12h
0:59

Connor McDavid proud of Oilers' run to Staley Cup Final

Connor McDavid applauds the resilience of his Oilers teammates throughout the season despite losing the Stanley Cup.

11h
2:07

Aleksander Barkov lifts Stanley Cup Trophy for Florida

Aleksander Barkov is presented the Stanley Cup Trophy for the champion Florida Panthers.

12h
1:39

Tkachuk: 'It's not a dream, it's reality'

Matthew Tkachuk discusses how it feels to be a Stanley Cup champion following the Florida Panthers' 2-1 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

13h
1:33

Panthers win Stanley Cup after frantic 3rd period

The Florida Panthers win their first Stanley Cup after holding on against Connor McDavid and the Edmonton Oilers in the third period.

11h
0:55

Sergei Bobrovsky denies Connor McDavid in front of net

Connor McDavid finds himself one-on-one with Sergei Bobrovsky, but the Panthers' goalie snuffs out the danger with a point-blank save.

12h
0:41

Sam Reinhart slots the second Florida goal

Sam Reinhart scores his 10th goal of the postseason as the Panthers reclaim the lead against the Oilers in the second period.

13h
0:54

Oilers answer quickly on Mattias Janmark's breakaway goal

Cody Ceci feeds Mattias Janmark on the breakaway as the Oilers answer the Panthers with a tying goal.

15h
0:46

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    TIJ IGINLA

    NHL DRAFT: FRIDAY, 7 P.M. ET, ESPN

    How Tij Iginla's NHL draft journey could see him possibly make history

    Iginla has a chance to go higher in the draft than his Hall of Fame father, Jarome, and get some family 'bragging rights.'

    2hRyan S. Clark
    Steve Dunsmoor/Kelowna Rockets

    NHL draft week buzz: Latest intel including trades, Marner, Utah, Eiserman

    The first round is Friday. Our reporters pass along intel from inside front offices on the draft, possible trades and this year's free-agent class.

    1dRyan S. Clark, +2 More

    GRADING THE TRADES

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    Did the Bruins get enough back for Linus Ullmark?

    Joonas Korpisalo, Mark Kastelic and a first-rounder were enough for the Senators to land the 2023 Vezina Trophy winner. We grade both GMs on the swap.

    15hRyan S. Clark
    Richard T Gagnon/Getty Images

    Summer's first blockbuster sends Markstrom to the Devils

    Below-average goaltending held the Devils back in 2023-24. Did they solve the problem by adding the veteran netminder? We grade both GMs on the swap.

    6dGreg Wyshynski
    Brett Holmes/Icon Sportswire

    Do Kings or Capitals come out ahead in Dubois-Kuemper swap?

    The trade is one for one! With both players needing a change of scenery, we grade the GMs behind the deal.

    6dRyan S. Clark
    Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

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