The Florida Panthers not only are the defending Stanley Cup champions, but they also represent the best-built organization in the National Hockey League.

"They are the gold standard," says defeated Canes' coach Rod Brind'Amour.

For local consumption, The Cats From Dixie should offer the Rangers organization ideas on how to lift the Blueshirts out of their NHL morass and into the big league hockey mainstream. The following are tips for Chris Drury:

How The Rangers Can Be Just Like The PanthersWatching the Panthers maraud their way to the Stanley Cup Final round, some Rangers fans have asked me, "Well why can't our Blueshirts do that?"

COACH: The Panthers' Paul Maurice is a genius. Period! Unlike other retreads, Maurice has learned how to refresh his style – remember that's why he quit the Winnipeg Jets – and adjusted his coaching to the present. 

Mike Sullivan now has the same opportunity and we'll only know whether it works once the season starts. Part of the equation is extreme smarts and a unique personality. The Maven is not so sure that Sully has those qualities.

GOALTENDING: To defeat Florida, Sullivan employed two different goalkeepers – both from mediocre to average – a longtime Carolina bugaboo that never gets the Canes over the hump. Nor did it this time. 

Meanwhile, Sergei Bobrovsky continues to display elite. clutch puck-stopping. The Rangers are paying Igor Shesterkin to play as well as Bob but Iggy has not been up to the challenge yet. Good for him; Shesty has the years and the loot to show that he still can do it. (We're waiting, pal, we're waiting.)

THE DEFENSE: Drury-Sullivan now have the same opportunity to build a better defense to match Carolina's. But that will require deft wheeling-dealing and there's no assurance that Drury's even close to being up for the task.

THE OFFENSE: Florida plays a smart, simple, creative "If You Can't Beat 'Em In The Alley,

You Can't Beat 'Em On The Ice"  style. Key: The Panthers have the personnel to make it work and added Brad Marchand just to be sure. Drury has minimal muscle and must find a couple of Sam Bennett-types to regain a measure of respect that is egregiously not there now. Good luck to Drury.

SPIRIT: As Joe Micheletti emphasizes, "lack of spirit" was the most glaring Ranger weakness. It's funded by a lineup that last season was pockmarked with quitters. The Champs have nothing of the kind. 

Now you know why Drury-Sully have the challenge of a lifetime on their hands! They might learn more if they pay attention to the Cup Final.