Editing Florida Panthers (section)

===Early years (1992–2000)===
[[Blockbuster Video]] magnate [[Wayne Huizenga]] was awarded an NHL franchise for [[Miami]] on December 10, 1992,<ref>{{cite web|last=Richards|first=George|title=Florida Panthers new owner Vincent Viola: 'We will win here'|url=http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nhl/florida-panthers/article1955600.html|newspaper=The Miami Herald|date=September 28, 2013|access-date=January 17, 2017|archive-date=August 7, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160807044348/http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/nhl/florida-panthers/article1955600.html|url-status=live}}</ref> the same day [[the Walt Disney Company]] earned the rights to start a team in [[Anaheim, California|Anaheim]] that would become the [[Anaheim Ducks|Mighty Ducks]]. At the time, Huizenga owned both the newly founded [[Miami Marlins|Florida Marlins]] of [[Major League Baseball]] (MLB) and a share of the [[National Football League]] (NFL)'s [[Miami Dolphins]]. The entry fee was $50 million. Huizenga announced the team would play at the [[Miami Arena]], sharing the building with the [[National Basketball Association]] (NBA)'s [[Miami Heat]], until a new arena was built.<ref name=":0">{{cite news|last=LaPointe|first=Joe|title=NHL to add teams in Miami, Anaheim Huizenga, Disney high-profile owners|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/1992/12/11/nhl-to-add-teams-in-miami-anaheim-huizenga-disney-high-profile-owners/|newspaper=[[The Baltimore Sun]]|date=December 11, 1992|access-date=June 18, 2018|archive-date=October 12, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131012094549/http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1992-12-11/sports/1992346112_1_huizenga-miami-team-hockey|url-status=live}}</ref> Offices for the team were only established in June 1993, while vice president of business operations Dean Jordan conceded that "none of the business people, myself included, knew anything about hockey."<ref>{{cite news|last=Farber|first=Michael|title=Above And Beyond|url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1009015/1/index.htm|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=November 9, 1996|access-date=January 29, 2009|archive-date=November 5, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131105212732/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1009015/1/index.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> The new franchise would be the first professional ice hockey team in Miami since the folding of the [[Tropical Hockey League]] in 1939.<ref>{{cite book |last= McKinley |first= Michael |title= Hockey: A People's History |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=5g_r5MsuEf4C&dq=%22Tropical+Hockey+League%22&pg=PA124 |access-date=June 16, 2022 |year=2009 |publisher=Random House Digital |isbn=978-0771057717 |page=124}}</ref>

[[File:Wayne Huizenga.jpg|thumb|[[Wayne Huizenga]] was awarded a franchise from the NHL on December 10, 1992.]]
Huizenga initially wanted to name the team the "Block Busters" in honor of his video rental chain.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Wyshynski |first1=Greg |title=Panthers' journey from NHL punch line to Stanley Cup champs |url=https://www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/id/40357551/nhl-playoffs-2024-stanley-cup-florida-panthers-journey-franchise-legacy |website=ESPN.com |access-date=March 10, 2025 |date=June 24, 2024}}</ref> The team would have the same colors as the video rental chain (blue and gold) and even a uniform concept was designed.<ref>{{cite web |title=Who were the Block Busters? |url=https://www.flapanthersvault.com/item/who-were-the-block-busters/ |website=flapanthersvault.com |access-date=March 10, 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926054224/https://www.flapanthersvault.com/item/who-were-the-block-busters/ |archive-date=September 26, 2020}}</ref> In the end, the NHL rejected the nickname.

On April 20, 1993, a press conference in [[Fort Lauderdale, Florida|Fort Lauderdale]] announced that the team would be named Florida Panthers, with former [[New York Islanders]] general manager [[Bill Torrey]] as president and [[Bobby Clarke]] as general manager. The team is named for the [[Florida panther]], an endangered species of large cat [[Endemism|endemic]] to the nearby [[Everglades]] region.<ref>{{cite news|last=Joseph|first=Dave|title=They're Panthers, Torrey Is President Nhl Expansion Team's New Boss Shaped Isles|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1993-04-20/sports/9302070080_1_stanley-cup-nhl-bob-clarke|newspaper=[[Sun-Sentinel]]|date=April 20, 1993|access-date=June 18, 2018|archive-date=July 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704010522/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1993-04-20/sports/9302070080_1_stanley-cup-nhl-bob-clarke|url-status=dead}}</ref> Once the logos and uniforms were unveiled on June 15, the team also announced its financial commitment to the panther preservation cause.<ref>{{cite news|last=Joseph|first=Dave|title=Panthers Unveil Uniforms, Logo|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1993/06/15/panthers-unveil-uniforms-logo/|newspaper=[[Orlando Sentinel]]|date=June 15, 1993|access-date=June 18, 2018|archive-date=March 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330053705/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1993-06-15/sports/9306150506_1_florida-panthers-panthers-merchandise-bill-torrey|url-status=live}}</ref> Huizenga had held the Panthers trademark since 1991, when he purchased it from a group of [[Tampa, Florida|Tampa]] investors who sought to create an MLB team in the Tampa Bay area.<ref>{{cite news|last=Giuliotti|first=Ed|title=Local Fans Give Huizenga 113,000 Votes of Confidence|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-04-01/sports/9101160701_1_huizenga-florida-panthers-national-league-expansion|newspaper=Sun-Sentinel|date=April 1, 1991|access-date=June 18, 2018|archive-date=July 4, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130704011543/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1991-04-01/sports/9101160701_1_huizenga-florida-panthers-national-league-expansion|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The new franchise joined the NHL for participation in the [[1993–94 NHL season|1993–94 season]], along with the [[Anaheim Ducks|Mighty Ducks of Anaheim]]. The Panthers' and Ducks' rosters were filled in both the [[1993 NHL expansion draft|expansion draft]] and the [[1993 NHL entry draft]] in June 1993, hosted by [[Quebec City]];<ref>{{cite news|last=Babineau|first=Jeff|title=Expansion Teams Laying Foundation|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1993/06/27/expansion-teams-laying-foundation/|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=June 27, 1993|access-date=June 18, 2018|archive-date=May 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150512231315/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1993-06-27/sports/9306270413_1_sharks-goaltender-ron-hextall|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Babineau|first=Jeff|title=Florida, Anaheim Take Form Today|url=https://www.orlandosentinel.com/1993/06/24/florida-anaheim-take-form-today/|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=June 24, 1993|access-date=June 18, 2018|archive-date=March 30, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140330124947/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1993-06-24/sports/9306240127_1_expansion-draft-tampa-bay-entry-draft|url-status=live}}</ref> that draft produced ten players who would eventually be a part of the 1996 Eastern Conference-winning team.<ref name="Rat Pack">{{cite news|last=Montville|first=Leigh|title=Rat Pack|url=https://www.si.com/vault/1996/06/10/8103361/rat-pack-floridas-unlikely-run-to-the-cup-finals-has-miami-giddy-over-hockeyand-rabid-over-rodents|magazine=Sports Illustrated|date=June 10, 1996|access-date=January 29, 2009|archive-date=June 23, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160623212414/http://www.si.com/vault/1996/06/10/8103361/rat-pack-floridas-unlikely-run-to-the-cup-finals-has-miami-giddy-over-hockeyand-rabid-over-rodents|url-status=live}}</ref>

The Panthers' first major stars were former [[New York Rangers]] goaltender [[John Vanbiesbrouck]], rookie [[Rob Niedermayer]] and forward [[Scott Mellanby]], who scored 30 goals in Florida's inaugural season.<ref name=si>{{cite news | url=http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1148158/index.htm | publisher=CNN | title=A Goal in Sight | date=February 7, 1994 | access-date=May 14, 2013 | archive-date=October 6, 2014 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141006080432/http://www.cnn.com/bleacher-report/ | url-status=dead}}</ref> Their first game was a 4–4 tie on the road against the [[Chicago Blackhawks]], while their first win was a 2–0 shutout of the [[Tampa Bay Lightning]] in the [[Tropicana Field|Thunderdome]] before a then-NHL record crowd of 27,227. The Panthers had one of the most successful first seasons of any [[expansion team]] in league history, finishing just two points below .500 and narrowly missing out on the final [[1994 Stanley Cup playoffs|1994 playoff]] spot in the Eastern Conference.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-07-27/sports/9407270532_1_panthers-tampa-bay-lone-home-game|title=Panthers To Play Nine Exhibition Games|access-date=May 14, 2013|archive-date=October 2, 2013|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131002045033/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1994-07-27/sports/9407270532_1_panthers-tampa-bay-lone-home-game|url-status=dead}}</ref> Their first-year success was attributed mainly to the [[neutral zone trap|trap defense]] that first-year coach [[Roger Neilson]] implemented. This conservative style was widely criticized by NHL teams; some even suggested that the Panthers were ruining the game.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1995-03-06/sports/9503050239_1_neutral-zone-trap-florida-panthers-roger-neilson|title=Cut The Trap? Neilson Isn't Staying in Neutral Zone|access-date=April 4, 2012|archive-date=May 19, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120519010145/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1995-03-06/sports/9503050239_1_neutral-zone-trap-florida-panthers-roger-neilson|url-status=dead}}</ref> While the team executives expected the audience to consist of mostly "[[Snowbird (person)|snowbird]]" Canadians living in Florida, the Floridians soon embraced the Panthers.<ref name=si/> Helped by Miami's other teams having middling performances, the club averaged 94% capacity at the 14,500-seat Miami Arena, and sold 8,500 season tickets in 100 days.<ref name=si/>

In August 1994, general manager Clarke left to work for the [[Philadelphia Flyers]]; [[Bryan Murray (ice hockey)|Bryan Murray]] was brought in from the [[Detroit Red Wings]] as his replacement.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.philly.com/1994-08-02/sports/25842215_1_terry-murray-new-flyers-coach-bryan-murray|title=Panthers Bring Aboard Bryan Murray As Gm|access-date=May 14, 2013|archive-date=March 4, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304090626/http://articles.philly.com/1994-08-02/sports/25842215_1_terry-murray-new-flyers-coach-bryan-murray|url-status=dead}}</ref> After another close brush with the playoffs, finishing the [[1994–95 NHL lockout|lockout]]-shortened [[1994–95 NHL season|1994–95 season]] again in ninth,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1995-05-04/sports/9505040096_1_jagr-s-shot-john-vanbiesbrouck-panthers|title=No Playoffs, But Panthers Finish in Style|access-date=May 14, 2013|archive-date=February 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201155114/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1995-05-04/sports/9505040096_1_jagr-s-shot-john-vanbiesbrouck-panthers|url-status=dead}}</ref> Neilson was fired following an argument with Murray regarding [[Ed Jovanovski]], whom the Panthers chose as the number one overall pick at the [[1994 NHL entry draft]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1995-06-13/sports/9506120510_1_jovanovski-hockey-team-roger-neilson|title=Looks Like Gm, Coach Couldn't See Eye To Eye|access-date=May 14, 2013|archive-date=February 1, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140201155110/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1995-06-13/sports/9506120510_1_jovanovski-hockey-team-roger-neilson|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[Doug MacLean]], who had been the team's player development director, was promoted to coach.<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/25/sports/sports-people-hockey-panthers-promote-from-within-by-hiring-maclean-as-coach.html | work=The New York Times | title=SPORTS PEOPLE: HOCKEY; Panthers Promote From Within By Hiring MacLean as Coach | date=July 25, 1995 | access-date=February 16, 2017 | archive-date=August 4, 2017 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170804215455/http://www.nytimes.com/1995/07/25/sports/sports-people-hockey-panthers-promote-from-within-by-hiring-maclean-as-coach.html | url-status=live}}</ref> The team then acquired [[Ray Sheppard]] from the [[San Jose Sharks]] at the [[NHL trade deadline]] and looked toward the playoffs for the first time.

====The Rat Trick and a trip to the 1996 Stanley Cup Finals====
A very unusual goal celebration developed in Miami during the [[1995–96 NHL season|1995–96 season]]. On the night of the Panthers' 1995–96 home opener, a [[rat]] scurried across the team's locker room. Scott Mellanby reacted by "[[one timer|one-timing]]" the rat against the wall, killing it. That night, he scored two goals, which Vanbiesbrouck quipped was "a [[rat trick]]." Two nights later, as the story found its way into the world, a few fans threw rubber rats on the ice in celebration of a goal. The [[rubber]] rat count went from 16 for the third home game to over 2,000 during the playoffs.<ref name="Rat Pack"/>

In the [[1996 Stanley Cup playoffs|1996 playoffs]], as the fourth seed in the East, the Panthers faced the [[Boston Bruins]] in the first round and won in five games. [[Bill Lindsay]]'s series-clinching goal is still a trademark image for the run the third-year franchise went on. The Panthers went on to upset the top-seeded Philadelphia Flyers in six games followed by the second-seeded [[Pittsburgh Penguins]] in seven (with [[Tom Fitzgerald (ice hockey)|Tom Fitzgerald]] scoring what would end up being the game-winning goal) to reach the [[1996 Stanley Cup Finals|Stanley Cup Finals]] against the [[Colorado Avalanche]], another team making its first Finals appearance.<ref name="Rat Pack"/> The Avalanche, however, swept the Panthers in four games. Despite losing in the Finals, the Panthers set a record for most wins by an expansion team in their first postseason appearance with 12 victories (this record would later be broken by the [[Vegas Golden Knights]] during their inaugural season in 2017–18).<ref>{{cite news|title =No stopping the Avalanche – Colorado completes Cup sweep of Panthers with 3OT victory|url =http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SAEC&p_theme=saec&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB03D7A86BE23F7&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|author =Ulman, Howard|agency =Associated Press|date =June 11, 1996|access-date =March 25, 2007|archive-date =June 9, 2011|archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20110609205058/http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SAEC&p_theme=saec&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB03D7A86BE23F7&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|url-status =live}}</ref> For his team's surprising success, Bryan Murray was honored as NHL Executive of the Year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1996-05-07/sports/9605060431_1_coach-doug-maclean-jason-podollan-voting|title=Murphy's Toe Ready|access-date=May 14, 2013|archive-date=June 23, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150623212637/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1996-05-07/sports/9605060431_1_coach-doug-maclean-jason-podollan-voting|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The Panthers began the next season with a 12-game unbeaten streak, but faded in the second half of the season after trading second line center [[Stu Barnes]]. They lost in five games in the first round of the playoffs to the [[Wayne Gretzky]]-led [[New York Rangers]]. The team would plummet in the [[1997–98 NHL season|1997–98 season]]. After a 7–12–4 start, the Panthers fired Doug MacLean, replacing him for the season with general manager Bryan Murray. The change did not aid matters, as Florida posted a franchise-worst 24–43–15 record, including a 15-game winless streak. This season also marked the end of goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck's time in Florida; in the midst of that streak, he was shelled by the [[Chicago Blackhawks]] and never played another game for the Panthers. In the following off-season, Vanbiesbrouck signed with the Flyers as a free agent.