Winning twice has changed how the Florida Panthers are seen in the NHL, especially in the salary cap era, where dynasties are hard to form. When the champions returned to the White House this year, amid the praises, there was a question that even the champions didn’t have the answer to.
President Donald Trump Questions Florida Panthers’ 2023 Loss
The Panthers arrived at the White House with confidence earned through recent dominance. Back-to-back Stanley Cups gave the visit a celebratory feel, but it did not stay simple for long. As President Donald Trump reviewed their rise, one season resurfaced in his remarks.
The Panthers have built a culture that keeps delivering in May and June. They have met pressure and overwhelmed opponents when it matters most. Yet while talking about the Panthers’ achievements, President Trump’s focus drifted back to 2023. That year, Florida finished the regular season 42-32-8 and rode a 13-8 playoff run to reach the Stanley Cup Final, where they ultimately fell to the Vegas Golden Knights in five games.
It was a deep run, but one that ended short of the ultimate prize, and the President made it clear that the turn of events still puzzles him. “What the hell happened that year? You should’ve won!” Trump said.
It was the lone complaint during an otherwise glowing tribute.
Entering the playoffs in 2023, the Panthers upset the Boston Bruins in seven games in round one, then ousted the Toronto Maple Leafs in five (round 2), and swept the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Final. Yet even with that momentum, Vegas proved too strong in the Final, taking the series 4-1 in Game 5 to clinch the Cup.
What followed reshaped the Panthers franchise, as Florida responded by turning frustration into fuel. The Panthers captured the Stanley Cup in 2024 after a 52-24-6 season, then repeated in 2025 following a 47-31-4 campaign. This time, they defeated the Edmonton Oilers in just six games, erasing any doubts over whether their style of play could last.
“Not only did you live up to the sky-high expectations, but you gave us perhaps the most dominant playoff run in NHL history,” Trump said.
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During the ceremony, players presented Trump with team gifts, including championship rings and a custom jersey. The White House’s official X account shared the clip of the moment between Panthers players and Trump, writing,
“MAKE HOCKEY GREAT AGAIN! 🇺🇸🏒 The Stanley Cup Champion @FlaPanthers present POTUS with rings, a hockey stick, and a 47 jersey at the White House! 🔥”
Still, the President’s question about the 2023 run highlighted how the Panthers lost that final lopsidedly against Vegas. That win would have brought them their first Stanley Cup win a year earlier and probably would have kick-started a run that would have put the rest of the league on notice.
