With the bullpen depth at an all-time low, the Blue Jays might do well to look at Florida Panthers GM Bill Zito. But maybe in some lower-leverage situations.

Following an empty-net goal by Oilers superstar Connor McDavid that sealed Edmonton’s win, Zito, unable to bottle up his frustrations, let loose and flung a water bottle to the ground with some serious force before storming away on Tuesday.

With the series seemingly locked up after securing a 3-0 lead, it might’ve looked like smooth sailing from that point forward.

But after an 8-1 shellacking in Game 4 and another stellar 5-3 Oilers road win in Game 5 of the Stanley Cup Final, the tides seem to have turned in Edmonton’s favour dramatically.

On the precipice of glory, each missed opportunity stings that much more.

Zito has been on the other side of the ring before, as his Panthers caused former Toronto Maple Leafs GM Kyle Dubas to put water bottles in similar degrees of danger following a frustrating loss in last season’s playoffs.

As for this season’s Panthers, head coach Paul Maurice says the team knows all is not lost.

“I’m not pumping tires, I’m not rubbing backs, I don’t think we need that at all. Everybody feels probably exactly the way I do right now,” Maurice said after the game. “I’m not feeling deflated, neither is the hockey team. They’re not feeling defeated. A little grumpy.”

That’s what the Stanley Cup Playoffs, let alone the Final, can do. With everything on the line, no mercy for water bottles.

The Florida Panthers suffered a tough loss in Game 5 of their playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, and it seems that the frustration was too much for Panthers GM Bill Zito to handle. After the final buzzer sounded, Zito was seen throwing a water bottle in frustration as he made his way out of the arena.

This display of emotion from Zito may come as a surprise to some, as general managers are typically expected to maintain a level of professionalism and composure in all situations. However, it is not uncommon for individuals in high-pressure roles to let their emotions get the best of them, especially in the heat of the moment following a disappointing defeat.

The Panthers had high hopes heading into the playoffs, but they have struggled to find success against the Lightning. With their season on the line, it is understandable that Zito would be feeling the weight of the situation and the pressure to turn things around.

While throwing a water bottle may not have been the most appropriate way to express his frustration, it is a reminder that even those in positions of power are human and can be affected by the ups and downs of sports. It will be interesting to see how Zito and the Panthers respond to this setback and if they can rally to force a Game 6.

In the meantime, fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Zito and the Panthers handle this adversity and whether they can bounce back from this disappointing defeat.