Latest news with #AleksanderBarkov
Fox News
3 hours ago
- Sport
- Fox News
Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov lacked motivation after first Stanley Cup but now eyes three in a row
After winning his first Stanley Cup in 2024, Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov, admittedly, lacked some motivation to get back on the ice. "That was my biggest dream in this game of hockey. So, of course, I got that feeling," the 2013 second-overall pick said in a recent interview with Fox News Digital. "When I thought, 'OK, it's time to start training again,' it was really, really hard. Like, it's just really hard to get up and go somewhere for a run or for a lift or something like that." But then, he thought about the "big picture" and remembered that lifting the Stanley Cup is "the best feeling in hockey." Now, the Panthers have a chance to do something not accomplished since the early 1980s – win three consecutive Stanley Cups, and Barkov already "is thinking about next year." "To get that celebration again, to enjoy the season again with the team, go through the ups and downs and write another story and achieve that. So that kind of got me going. And we achieved it again. It wasn't easy at all. Mentally, it was really hard all year, but we did our best, we tried our best, and it was enough this year. But now, I have a better feeling about it. I can't wait to get going again." Perhaps his Celsius partnership fueled him in the middle of the season. The energy drink's 200 milligrams of caffeine helped Barkov get through those grueling days during the hockey year. For him, it's also a partnership that hits close to him – the headquarters are in nearby Boca Raton (the Panthers play in Sunrise), and he said Celsius is becoming a hit in his home country of Finland. "That's how I'm trying to live as an athlete. I'm trying to eat the right way. I'm trying to sleep the right way, recover, practice, train, whatever I do, I'm thinking about becoming a better athlete for the next day, for the next game," he said. "So I think Celsius fits that really well, because they have everything I need in one drink. It tastes really good as well, so I don't have to force it into myself. It keeps me awake when I need it the most, all the vitamins that I need throughout the day are there. So it's just a total package in one drink." Some extra motivation? Maybe the fact that he needs to come up with new ideas on how to celebrate with the Stanley Cup (he said 48 consecutive hours of celebration was his max). "We get to spend one day individually with the Cup, so that will be a challenge. I did everything I needed to do last year. I showed it to literally everyone I needed to show. So this year, probably taking a little easier and maybe spend more time just me and the Cup," Barkov joked. One idea, obviously, is to "pour a Celsius into it and just sip on it." He did also bring it to his neighbors' houses in the wee hours of the morning. But first, it will be another 82-game season, and then needing to win 16 more games in the postseason to lift the best trophy in sports again. "For me, I feel better right now to continue working, to continue getting better," Barkov said. "Because, well, last year, first time winning, it feels like, 'OK, now I've done everything I wanted, I dreamed about.' Now, after doing it a second time, it's the best feeling in hockey. You go through the long season, tough season with your team, and you battle through everything, and then you get to lift the Cup. And for us to have a chance to do it three times in a row, that's already a big motivation, because not too many teams have done it in such a long history. "Obviously, we just won, so we'll celebrate this one a little bit, but already thinking about next year, how big of a chance we have to make even bigger history. And that's what already drives me forward." Follow Fox News Digital's sports coverage on X, and subscribe to the Fox News Sports Huddle newsletter.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Stanley Cup Final time, TV, how to watch Panthers vs. Oilers Game 6
USA TODAY and Yahoo may earn commission from links in this article. Pricing and availability subject to change. The Florida Panthers, who needed 30 years to win their first Stanley Cup championship, can become the ninth NHL team with back-to-back titles. All they need is a home victory against the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 on Tuesday, June 17. The Panthers took a 3-2 lead in the best-of-seven Stanley Cup Final with a defensive masterpiece in Game 5. Advertisement "The most important thing is to stick with our game," Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov said. "You don't need to change anything. ... That's been our whole mindset the whole playoffs. The next game, you have be better than the previous game." The Panthers are 3-1 this postseason when they have a chance to close out a series. In last year's final, the Panthers gave up a 3-0 series lead before winning in Game 7. The Oilers are counting on their resilience as they try to force a seventh game, which would be on Friday, June 20, in Edmonton, Alberta. "For some reason when their backs are against up the wall and they've hit rock bottom and they're facing elimination … they play their best and they don't panic," Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch said. Advertisement Stuart Skinner will be back in the Oilers net for Game 6 after Calvin Pickard had played in Game 5. Here's what to know about Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers, including how to watch: Game 6 preview: What Panthers, Oilers need to do to win When is Stanley Cup Final Game 6? Panthers vs. Oilers game time The Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers will face off Tuesday, June 17, at 8 p.m. ET at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida. What TV channel is Panthers vs. Oilers Game 6 on? TNT and truTV are broadcasting Game 6 of the NHL Stanley Cup Final. Kenny Albert will provide play-by-play, while Eddie Olczyk, Brian Boucher, Darren Pang and Jackie Redmond will provide analysis and reporting. Advertisement Stream the 2025 Stanley Cup Final on Sling How to watch Panthers vs. Oilers Game 6 Date: Tuersday, June 17 Location: Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Florida Time: 8 p.m. ET TV: TNT, truTV Streaming: Max, Sling TV The biggest stories, every morning. Stay up-to-date on all the key sports developments by subscribing to USA TODAY Sports' newsletter. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Stanley Cup Final today: Time, TV for Panthers vs Oilers Game 6
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Grading Panthers' 2025 NHL Draft class
The post Grading Panthers' 2025 NHL Draft class appeared first on ClutchPoints. The Florida Panthers are your two-time defending champions. This is an incredible feat, and one they look to build upon. This success comes with a price, however. Florida never has premium draft capital once the NHL Draft rolls around. The 2025 NHL Draft was no different for Florida. They had six total picks, but all of them came after the third round. Advertisement The Panthers have had a ton of success drafting and developing players, though. In fact, some of their best players are talents they selected. Aleksander Barkov and Aaron Ekblad are names all hockey fans know. Anton Lundell appears to be a promising building block for this team, as well. Florida added six players to its organization on Saturday. But how does this class look on paper coming out of the 2025 NHL Draft? Let's take a deeper look at this class and hand the Panthers an initial grade for their efforts. Panthers find potential in first 3 picks The Panthers did not make their first selection until 112th overall in the fourth round. With this selection, they picked Mads Kongsbak Klyvø, a Danish winger out of Frölunda HC in Sweden. He brings some intriguing upside to the table, and many evaluators considered him one of the more underrated European skaters in this class. He presents as a mostly defensive option, but some around the game like his offense and think it can be developed more. Advertisement Their next pick came a bit later at 128. Florida elected to take Shea Busch, a winger from the WHL's Everett Silvertips. Busch impressed after joining Everett during the season. He is a mostly a net-front presence who will throw the body, as well. One pick later, the Panthers selected North Bay Batallion winger Shamar Moses. Moses may have the most upside of the three. He has an excellent shot and impressive awareness on the ice. He also plays a physical brand of hockey that will translate to the Panthers quite well. None of these three players project as top-six options for Florida. Moses has a chance to be a middle-six scorer, but this is the best-case scenario. All three of them do project to play NHL games, however. For a team like Florida, having young depth players to rely on is key when the established vets reach NHL Free Agency and cash in on their work in Sunrise. Florida takes major gambles with last selections Florida's final three selections do not carry the same upside. There are fans of the team's 192nd overall pick — Swedish forward Arvid Drott — but he doesn't bring anything that flashes NHL potential. Defenseman Brendan Dunphy has some intriguing tools, but his skating needs significant work if he's going to make it. Advertisement Florida's final pick of the draft fits their type in goal. The Panthers drafted Russian goalie Yegor Midlak with the 224th overall pick. Midlak has some intriguing physical tools. However, he is a major work in progress at this time. Overall, these picks don't hurt the Panthers. They were unlikely to ever get high-end talent in these later rounds. However, they need to prioritize players who show some semblance of NHL potential. Clearly, the Panthers believe in these players. Far be it from pundits to say they are wrong. In saying that, these are massive gambles, and it does take the grade down a bit. Grade and final thoughts Overall, the Panthers receive an average grade for the 2025 NHL Draft class. Florida did not get the most potential in their class. But their aims are a lot different than other teams. They are searching for players who project to make an impact at the NHL level. And they landed those sorts of players with exactly half of their draft picks. Advertisement Will anyone from this class come close to the NHL? It's obviously way too early to say. But there is potential for this class to make a difference in some sort of role. Moses could become a middle-six scorer, for instance. Some evaluators believe Klyvø has untapped offensive potential, as well. There could be some untapped potential that makes these guys late-round gems. However, the final three picks require a lot of work. If there's any team that can afford to be patient, it is the two-time defending Stanley Cup champions who show no signs of slowing down. At the same time, they need NHL projectable players to help keep this train rolling. They missed out on that with some of these late picks. Panthers draft grade: C Best pick: Shamar Moses – Round 5, Pick 129 Worst pick: Yegor Midlak – Round 7, Pick 224 Related: Sam Bennett breaks silence on $64 million contract extension with Panthers Related: Panthers' Sam Bennett signs mammoth 8-year, $64 million contract extension
Toronto Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
NHL, NHLPA close to agreeing on a new collective bargaining agreement: Sources
Published Jun 26, 2025 • 2 minute read NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, left, hands the Stanley Cup to Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov (16) after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. Photo by Lynne Sladky / AP The NHL and NHL Players' Association are on the verge of extending the collective bargaining agreement more than a year before it expires and expanding the regular season to 84 games. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The league and union have been in talks since April and are closing in on a memorandum of understanding addressing a number of high-profile topics long before the current agreement runs out in September 2026. The extension that could be announced as soon as Friday at the draft in Los Angeles would provide extended labor peace in a sport that has had multiple work stoppages, including the 2004-05 lockout that wiped out an entire season. The league and union closing in on a deal was confirmed Thursday by three people familiar with the negotiations who spoke with The Associated Press on condition on anonymity because the deal had not yet been finalized. It was first reported by Daily Faceoff. Two of the people said the new CBA will increase the regular season to 84 games from 82, shorten the maximum length of contracts and add a playoff salary cap for the first time. Extending the regular season from a total of 1,312 games to 1,344 would also come with curtailing exhibition play. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Since 2013, players have been able to re-sign with their own team for up to eight years and sign with another for up to seven years. Under the new CBA terms, each would be reduced by a year, to seven for re-signing and six for changing teams. A salary cap in the postseason would prevent teams from using long-term injured reserve rules to load up their rosters. Currently, teams with players on LTIR can exceed the cap by roughly the amount of the players' salaries until the playoffs begin. The option has been used, for example, by Chicago (Patrick Kane in 2015), Tampa Bay (Nikita Kucherov in 2021) and the Vegas Golden Knights (Mark Stone in multiple seasons) during their playoff runs. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh foreshadowed a quick conclusion to labor talks speaking at the Stanley Cup Final earlier in June. Bettman said the sides were 'in really good shape, having really good discussions,' and Walsh added that talks were 'moving forward, and I feel good with where we are.' A full, new CBA would be the first since 2013. The league and the union have been working on the memorandum negotiated in 2020 to finish that season during the pandemic and would meld that agreement with the framework from 12 years ago. Toronto Raptors Canada Canada Celebrity Canada
CTV News
6 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
NHL, NHLPA close to agreeing on a new collective bargaining agreement, AP sources say
NHL commissioner Gary Bettman, left, hands the Stanley Cup to Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov (16) after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky) The NHL and NHL Players' Association are close to an agreement on an extension of the collective bargaining agreement, two people familiar with negotiations told The Associated Press on Thursday. The people spoke to the AP on condition on anonymity because the deal had not yet been finalized. The league and union have been in talks since April and are on the verge of a memorandum of understanding done more than a year before the current CBA expires. The extension would provide extended labor peace in the sport that has had multiple work stoppages, including the 2004-05 lockout that wiped out an entire season, over the past three decades. Going to an 84-game regular season, up from 82, and reducing exhibition games to four per team, is believed to be among the changes that could be announced as soon as Friday in Los Angeles before the first round of the draft. A playoff salary cap and shorter maximum contract lengths have also been among the reported topics. Daily Faceoff was first to report a pending announcement of a new CBA. NHL Commissioner Gary Bettman and NHLPA executive director Marty Walsh foreshadowed a quick conclusion to this process speaking at the Stanley Cup Final earlier this month. Bettman said the sides were 'in really good shape, having really good discussions,' and Walsh added that talks were 'moving forward, and I feel good with where we are.' A full, new CBA would be the first since 2013. The league and the union have been working on the memorandum negotiated in 2020 to finish that season during the pandemic and would meld that agreement with the framework from 12 years ago. ___ AP Sports Writer Tim Reynolds contributed. ___ AP NHL: Stephen Whyno And John Wawrow, The Associated Press
