NHL preseason power rankings: Panthers' hunt for back-to-back Stanley Cups begins

For 31 NHL teams, the Florida Panthers will be Public Enemy No. 1 for the next six months.

Winning the Stanley Cup immediately puts a target on your back and the Panthers will no doubt be feeling it as the 2024-25 NHL season begins. That’s right, after a long summer away, hockey is back! The Panthers open the new season as your reigning Stanley Cup champions, with the rest of the NHL looking upward as they begin their quest for back-to-back titles.

Florida certainly won’t have an easy go of it. Not only does an 82-game regular season slate stand in the Panthers’ way, they’re coming off of two long playoff runs capped by the emotional high of a championship summer. It’d make sense if the Panthers took a step back as the grind of the last few years caught up with them, but that just doesn’t seem to be their way. These Panthers made their name playing relentless, smash-mouth hockey and they’ll do so until the end.

As the 2024-25 season begins, let’s take a look at how we view all 32 teams in the return of our NHL power rankings.

MORE NHL: Ranking all 32 NHL teams for the 2024-25 season from least to most watchable.