Zito has been named a finalist in three of his four seasons with the Panthers

Perhaps the third time will be the charm.

On Thursday the NHL announced that Florida Panthers General Manager Bill Zito was among the three finalists for the Jim Gregory General Manager of the Year Award.

It marks the third time in Zito’s four seasons with the Panthers that he’s been named a finalist for the award, also getting a nod in 2021 and 2023.

Florida’s success under Zito’s watch has been well documented.

From the first moves he made after being hired in September of 2020, bringing in players like Patric Hornqvist and Radko Gudas to shift the culture in the locker room to one that emphasized hard work and, ultimately, winning.

In the time since, Zito has built one of the NHL’s formidable rosters, acquiring players like Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Reinhart, Gus Forsling, Carter Verhaeghe and so many others.

After Florida’s appearance in last year’s Stanley Cup Final, Zito retooled Florida’s defense, signing Niko Mikkola, Oliver Ekman-Larsson and Dmitry Kulikov, while adding center Kevin Stenlund as a key cog to the Panthers much improved penalty kill.

At the trade deadline, Zito acquired Vladimir Tarasenko, who has been skating on Florida’s top line with Sasha Barkov and Reinhart, and veteran Kyle Okposo.

Also selected as finalists for the Jim Gregory Award were Vancouver’s Patrick Allvin and Dallas’ Jim Nill, who won the award last season.

Ballots for the award are cast by NHL general managers, a panel of league executives and print and broadcast media at the conclusion of the second round of the playoffs.

The winner will be announced on ESPN prior to the Stanley Cup Final game on Monday, June 10. 

LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA

Three takeaways: Steady Sergei Bobrovsky, energetic fourth line boost Panthers to Game 1 win

Panthers blank Rangers 3-0 to take Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals

Eastern Conference Finals preview with THN Florida and THN Rangers

Miami Dolphins wish Florida Panthers good luck with fun hockey playing video

Panthers to face Rangers in Game 1 of Eastern Conference Finals at Madison Square Garden