Panthers watch party footage from Game 3 of Stanley Cup Final. Something interesting caught the attention of a few people at this year’s NHL Draft. Traditionally, when teams first go up to the podium to make their initial selections on day one of the draft, they will take a moment to congratulate that season’s Stanley Cup Champion. That did not happen this year at Sphere in Las Vegas. Not once did someone step up to the podium and give the Florida Panthers a little love for earning the hardest trophy to obtain in pro sports. While one reason may be that it was a much quicker-moving draft than in years past, the seemingly negative vibe toward Florida certainly fits the narrative that the Panthers are the most disliked team in the NHL right now. They play a tough, aggressive style that is physically exhausting to try to solve, as we saw throughout the Stanley Cup Playoffs as Florida shut down offensive stars round after round. The lack of congrats messages was brought up to Panthers General Manager Bill Zito moments after the conclusion of the draft. “No one likes us,” Zito joked. Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAwNjE3OTM2NjIzMjQ4NDky/img_6014.jpg] Zito explained that while there were no public congratulatory messages, he received plenty of kind words from people throughout the weekend in Vegas. “I could not have gotten more congratulations today,” Zito said. At one point on Saturday, Zito had to walk across the draft floor to complete a trade and couldn’t even make it to his destination without having someone delay his trip by offering up a genuine gesture. “I had to actually do a trade, and someone stopped me, a good friend, and I couldn’t walk by them,” Zito said. “It’s all good, it’s nice.” Whatever the reason for the absence of public praise or applause to Florida’s incredible achievement, it didn’t seem to bother anyone at the Panthers draft table. They’ll be attending a Stanley Cup Champions parade on Sunday. Eventually they’ll get fitted for championship rings. So yeah, if there are in fact any haters out there, let 'em hate. For those currently residing in Pantherland, life is as good as ever. See ya on the beach. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Panthers have eventful NHL Draft day 2, selecting several Europeans with size [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/panthers-have-eventful-nhl-draft-day-2-selecting-several-europeans-with-size] Panthers trade into second round, select Swedish center Linus Eriksson 58th overall [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-trade-into-second-round-select-swedish-center-linus-eriksson-58th-overall] Big year for Panthers defenseman Gus Forsling proves hard work, belief in yourself pays off [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/big-year-for-panthers-defenseman-gus-forsling-proves-hard-work-belief-in-yourself-pays-off] Panthers enter NHL Draft Day 2 with several selections to make, eye on free agency [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/game-day/panthers-enter-nhl-draft-day-2-with-several-selections-to-make-eye-on-free-agency] 'I'm optimistic': Bill Zito speaks from NHL Draft on Sam Reinhart, Brandon Montour, free agency [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/im-optimistic-bill-zito-speaks-from-nhl-draft-on-sam-reinhart-brandon-montour-free-agency] Image [https://thehockeynews.com/.image/c_fit,h_600,w_600/MjAxNjQxMjA5NjI4NzMxMDIz/unnamed.jpg]
