Dolphins' Mike McDaniel, Jaylen Waddle admire Panthers' Stanley Cup Final trip

As the Miami Dolphins begin their preparation for training camp during OTAs, the NHL's Florida Panthers are playing in the Stanley Cup Final for the third straight year and are seeking back-to-back titles.

While the Dolphins have plenty on their plate for the remainder of this offseason, the success of their local hockey team has not gone unnoticed.

Several Dolphins players have been in attendance during this run of success for the Panthers including Zach Sieler, Bradley Chubb and Jaylen Waddle. Miami head coach Mike McDaniel has also been seen attending Panthers games in recent years.

“I think just in general, the elimination games really capture professional athletes. Now you have the players that have been here in this region. I think the Florida Panthers as an organization have done an unbelievable job of creating a sense of, ‘we’ve been here before,’ or a certain level of expectancy of performance. All of those things, you can never have too many friendly reminders of what you’re fighting for.

"There’s nothing more motivating than watching people that really sacrifice hard earned monthly income to support athletic performance. You can feel it; the Panthers games in the playoffs are unique in its own right, and you can just feel the appreciation and that isn’t lost on coaches or players at all," McDaniel said Tuesday.

Waddle was also asked about the Panthers during his Tuesday media availability, and he expressed excitement to attend the Stanley Cup Final. The star receiver also made a compelling case for why the Panthers should want him there.

“I do (enjoy the atmosphere). I’m going to go to the finals. I think I’m their good luck charm, because I don’t think they’ve lost since I’ve been. I think they need to invite me sometime soon in an important game, because I think they’re pretty undefeated when I’m there," Waddle said as the media contingent laughed.

"Panthers – hey, I’ll be waiting."

The Panthers play the first of a seven-game series on the road against the Edmonton Oilers tonight at 8pm ET from inside Rogers Place. Games 3 and 4 will be played at home in Sunrise.

This article originally appeared on Dolphins Wire: Dolphins' Mike McDaniel, Jaylen Waddle talk Panthers' Stanley Cup trip