What Every Rangers Fan Needs To Know About The NHL And The Panthers

The Florida Panthers are defending Stanley Cup champions for one very good reason; they still are the best, top to bottom.

The Rangers found that out already – as they did in the third playoff round last spring. Now the question is: Are the Cats good enough to repeat?

The Maven put that question to Al Greenberg, who covers The Cats as well as anybody in South Florida. Not surprisingly, he likes what he's seen so far.

"They show no signs of suffering from a Stanley Cup hangover," says Big Al, "nor are they hurting from attrition due to the long season and short summer."

Nonetheless, the inevitable personnel losses have been significant. Brandon Montour quarterbacked the first power play and Oliver Edman-Larsson, the second PP. Both are gone.

Aaron Ekblad now is on the first unit with Nate Schmidt imported for the second one. Actually it's a bit better now than last season.

"The team still has the 'Sandpaper' effect," adds Greenberg. "Players like Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett play on the edge and they have a very physical defender in Niko Mikkola who the Rangers should have – and could have – kept.

"Weak spots are defense and goaltending. They have not been as good. But as others have learned, you don't have to be the best in the regular season. You have to be the best and most tenacious team in the playoffs. Conclusion: Things are still sunny in South Florida!"

AROUND THE CIRCUIT WITH THE MAVEN AND SOLON MIHAS:

Like Juan Soto's agent, Connor McDavid's rep is going to want his client out of Edmonton as soon as McD's contract expires. He has a year left on his deal after this season. Superstars such as Wayne Gretzky and Mark Messier loved Edmonton but they realized that it's the hinterlands next to Broadway. Soto will be McDavid's inspiration when the time comes.

No matter what happens with the Rangers, Peter Laviolette will be retained through this season. GM Chris Drury, who hired Lavvy after firing Gerard Gallant, would look foolish if he fired his latest bench boss.

When argumentative Bob Goodenow was union boss this would be a hostile time as the NHL and NHLPA began discussing a new Collective Bargaining Agreement. Now it's ginger-peachy, lovey-dovey time. The Maven never has seen such warmth as between Commissioner Gary Bettman and Marty Walsh who runs the PA. Guaranteed, there won't be a lockout or "work stoppage" as the league liked to call it.

Rumors to the contrary, Brady Tkachuk is as solidly ensconced in Ottawa as the

Parliament buildings. Ergo: The Senators captain is going nowhere. The Maven won't be caught predicting a Stanley Cup for the Leafs but that doesn't mean I won't commend GM Brad Treliving for some marvelous moves. Start with his acquisitions of goalie Anthony Stolarz and sharpshooter Max Pacioretti. They'v emerged from out of nowhere to become essential factors in Toronto's move to the elite level.

The Devils also are in a better place thanks to GM Tom Fitzgerald beefing his defense with Brett Pesce and Brenden Dillon. Meanwhile, NJ's Hughes Brothers, Jack and Luke, have been living up to their glorious press clippings. Speaking of the Devils, Newark insiders believe that – somewhere down the line – Fitz will deal offensive Dman Dougie Hamilton.

Coaches on a second stint with a team don't usually enjoy their previous success. This is evident in Buffalo where Lindy Ruff has the Sabres hellbent for their league-worst 14-year playoff drought!

Buff's GM Kevyn Adams had hoped that Ruff would fix the club's lack of accountability. Maybe he has but Lindy has not sliced the important wart -- lack of winning.

Back in October the Million Dollar Q Question was "Which team will be the first to replace a fired coach with Joel Quenneville. A good two months have elapsed and coaches have been canned but Q remains waiting.

Macklin Celebrini and Matvei Michkov are so good that The Maven almost can imagine them winding up in a tie for the Calder Trophy.