Brunette became coach on Oct. 29. He replaced Joel Quenneville, who resigned after being implicated during an independent investigation into the Chicago Blackhawks for allegations of sexual assault of former player Kyle Beach by then-video coach Brad Aldrich in 2010.
The Panthers finished 58-18-6 for 122 points, the best record in their history, and Brunette was named as one of three finalists for the Jack Adams Award, given to the top coach in the NHL.
The Panthers defeated the Washington Capitals in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs for their first series win since 1996. But they were swept by the Tampa Bay Lightning in the second round, a series that ended with a 2-0 loss in Game 4 on Monday. Brunette said the defeat did not sour his feelings about wantring to remain coach.
"I love this team," he said Wednesday. "But I understand the business and it is what it is, and I can just control what I can control. What I did is on the table, and if it's what they want to do going forward … and I understand either side of the equation. But it was a fun ride. I enjoyed every minute of it."
Zito said he prefers to take a more cautious approach toward a decision.
"I said early in the season that I was going to wait to the end of the season and make a decision and evaluate things," Zito said. "Everything is still fresh and raw, and we're going to take a little bit of time here, we're going to let all the emotions just settle. We're going to make a thorough and rational call, go through a decision-making process and come to conclusions for the right reasons."
The Panthers went 51-18-6 in the regular season under Brunette, following a 7-0-0 start; it was his first job as an NHL coach.
"There's all kinds of little things you learn," he said. "I was very fortunate that we had such a great year. And when things don't go right, I think I would learn to trust my instincts, and maybe shut the noise down from everybody else. And I'm a little disappointed in myself for a few little things there. And I'll be better wherever, whenever as a coach overall for it.
"But I think you learn so much and more how to manage situations in the actual game itself. I felt game management, I felt good. I just think there's other things that I need to manage a little better."
Along with his coaching decision, Zito said he would need some time before addressing the roster.
That would include deciding whether to re-sign pending unrestricted free agent forwards Claude Giroux and Joe Thornton.
Giroux also said he needed some time before trying to line up a team for the 2022-23 season. The 34-year-old had 23 points (three goals, 20 assists) for Florida after being acquired in a trade with the Philadelphia Flyers on March 19, and eight points (three goals, five assists) in 10 Stanley Cup Playoff games.
He has 923 points (294 goals, 629 assists) in 1,018 NHL games through 15 seasons.
"Obviously, there's a lot of things to to worry about," Giroux said. "And decisions have to be made. And I mean, it's a tough question because the season ended a few days ago. In terms of thinking what they want to do and what I want to do, there's a lot of conversations to be held."
Thornton is the 12th-leading scorer in NHL history with 1,539 points (430 goals, 1,109 assists) in 1,714 games through 24 seasons. The 42-year-old had 10 points (five goals, five assists) in 34 games this season, his first with the Panthers. He dressed in Game 4 against the Lightning and had no points.
One thing Zito did confirm Wednesday was he would address the contracts of players who each will head into the final year of his contract next season. That group includes forward Jonathan Huberdeau and defenseman MacKenzie Weegar.
"Yeah, we'll get on those this summer for sure," Zito said.
