Paul Maurice didn't just walk into South Florida and start winning. Honestly, it was a bit of a gamble when Bill Zito hired him back in 2022. The team had just come off a Presidents' Trophy season under Andrew Brunette, and fans were, well, skeptical. Why fix what wasn't broken? But Zito saw something. He saw a veteran who had coached nearly 2,000 games without a ring. He saw a man who was, basically, the ultimate hockey lifer.
Now? Nobody is questioning it.
The coach of the Florida Panthers has completely rewritten the franchise record books. As of early 2026, Paul Maurice isn't just the guy behind the bench; he's the winningest coach in Panthers history. He passed Jacques Martin’s record of 110 wins in December 2024, and he hasn't looked back.
But the wins are only half the story.
The Long Road to the Summit
You've got to appreciate the sheer grind Maurice went through. Before he hoisted the Stanley Cup in 2024, he had coached the most games in NHL history without winning it all. That’s 1,985 games of "almost." It’s the kind of stat that stays with a guy.
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He started young. Really young. At 28, he was coaching the Hartford Whalers. Most people that age are still trying to figure out their tax returns, but Maurice was managing NHL egos. Then came the move to Carolina. Then Toronto. Then back to Carolina. Then nearly a decade in Winnipeg.
By the time he resigned from the Jets in late 2021, he was burnt out. He literally said the team needed a new voice. He took a break, watched some hockey from his couch, and then the Panthers called. It was the perfect match of a coach who needed a win and a roster that needed a backbone.
Back-to-Back Championships (2024 & 2025)
The 2023-2024 season was where the legend truly started. The Panthers took down the Edmonton Oilers in a grueling seven-game series. It was poetic, really. Maurice finally got his name on the Cup in his 26th season as a head coach.
But then they did it again.
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In June 2025, Maurice led the Panthers to a repeat. They beat the Oilers again, this time in six games. It’s hard to overstate how difficult that is in the modern NHL. The "repeat" solidified Maurice as the 18th coach in history to win back-to-back titles. He didn't change his personality, though. He still makes those dry, sarcastic jokes in the media room. He still uses profanity like it's a fine art.
What Makes Paul Maurice Different?
If you ask the players, they’ll tell you he’s just honest. Sam Bennett once said that Maurice has a "good feel" for what the team needs. He’s hard when he needs to be, but relaxed when the pressure gets too high.
He's a teacher at heart.
- The System: It’s a hard-nosed, aggressive style. It’s not flashy, but it works.
- The Communication: He doesn't do "big speeches" often. He prefers direct, respectful truth.
- The Humor: He uses it to lighten the mood. Usually, he’s the only one laughing, or so he says.
Aleksander Barkov, the captain, has been vocal about how Maurice prepares them. It’s about playing the "right way." If you play the right way, the wins follow. It sounds like a cliché, but when you’re sitting at the top of the Atlantic Division in 2026, it’s hard to argue with the results.
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The 2025-2026 Season Outlook
Currently, the Panthers are sitting pretty with a 24-18-3 record as we move through January 2026. Sergei Bobrovsky is still holding it down in net with 19 wins, and Sam Reinhart is leading the charge with 24 goals.
Maurice has this team humming. They’re physical, they’re disciplined, and they’ve bought into the culture. New additions like A.J. Greer have noted that Maurice is a "complete package"—analytical enough to break down film but human enough to motivate a tired locker room.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you're following the coach of the Florida Panthers this season, here are a few things to keep an eye on:
- Watch the Line Rotations: Maurice is known for molding his system around player strengths rather than forcing players into a rigid box. Notice how he adjusts lines when someone like Brad Marchand (who is leading in assists) is out of the lineup.
- The Penalty Kill: Florida’s defensive structure under Maurice is built on pressure. They don't just sit back; they attack the puck carrier.
- Post-Game Pressers: Listen to how he talks about "the room." He rarely takes credit. He always points back to the players’ leadership, specifically Barkov and Tkachuk.
The most important takeaway? Paul Maurice has proven that experience isn't just about years on the job; it’s about what you do with the "almosts." He took decades of heartbreak and turned it into the most successful era in Florida Panthers history.
For anyone looking to understand the current state of the team, start by watching the bench. You'll see a guy who knows exactly when to yell and exactly when to stay out of the way. That’s the Maurice way.