The Florida Panthers made a significant mark at the 2026 Milan Cortina Winter Olympics, with seven of their ten NHL players returning home with medals. A key figure behind this success is Panthers' GM Bill Zito, who has been instrumental in assembling this talented roster since taking over in 2020.
Zito, along with forward Matthew Tkachuk and equipment manager Teddy Richards, celebrated a gold medal win with Team USA. Tkachuk, a pivotal player for the Panthers, was a standout in Milan, showcasing the skills that have made him a cornerstone of Florida’s lineup. Almost all of the Panthers' Olympians, except Eetu Luostarinen, were brought in under Zito’s leadership.
Eetu Luostarinen, who joined the Panthers before Zito’s tenure as part of the Vincent Trocheck trade, also brought home a medal, adding to the team's Olympic success. Trocheck, a beloved former Panther, clinched gold as well, further highlighting the franchise's lasting impact.
Paul Maurice, the Panthers' head coach hired after a stellar 2022 season, praised Zito’s influence. “We had a huge chunk of the Florida Panthers organization there,” Maurice noted, emphasizing Zito’s role in shaping the team. Only a few players, like Sasha Barkov, Aaron Ekblad, and Sergei Bobrovsky, remain from the pre-Zito era, underscoring the transformation under his guidance.
Zito’s bold move to acquire Tkachuk from the Calgary Flames stands out as a masterstroke. Trading away Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, and other assets for Tkachuk was a gamble that paid off handsomely. Tkachuk quickly became a fan favorite, leading the Panthers to back-to-back Stanley Cup victories in 2024 and 2025.
Other Panthers players also shone at the Olympics. Sam Reinhart, Sam Bennett, and Brad Marchand earned silver with Team Canada.
Meanwhile, Luostarinen, Anton Lundell, and Niko Mikkola secured bronze for Finland. Lundell, Zito’s first draft pick, and Mikkola, a savvy free-agent acquisition, both played crucial roles.
Gus Forsling, claimed off waivers in 2021, has developed into a top-tier defenseman and represented Sweden with distinction. Latvia’s Uvis Balinskis and Sandis Vilmanis, both strategic finds by the Panthers, also gained invaluable experience on the international stage.
Though Seth Jones was sidelined by injury, his selection for Team USA underscores the depth of talent Zito has brought to Florida. Injuries also kept Sasha Barkov and Tomas Nosek from competing, but their potential inclusion speaks to the Panthers' robust roster.
The Panthers’ presence at the Olympics is a testament to Bill Zito’s vision and the franchise’s commitment to excellence. With such a strong foundation, the future looks bright for Florida as they continue to build on their Olympic and NHL successes.