Latest news with #CupFinal
New York Post
a day ago
- Sport
- New York Post
Panthers manage to re-sign Brad Marchand, Aaron Ekblad after Stanley Cup triumph
The Panthers have re-signed two of their key pieces from their most recent Stanley Cup run, managing to squeeze them in under the salary cap. With the help of their state not having income tax, Florida re-signed forward Brad Marchand and defenseman Aaron Ekblad on Monday, a day before the start of NHL free agency. Marchand, 37, signed a six-year contract with a $5.25 million average annual value, while Ekblad, 29, got an eight-year contract with a $6.1 million AAV. Advertisement Ekblad, who likely could've commanded significantly more on the open market, was the No. 1 overall pick by the Panthers in the 2014 NHL Draft and has been a stalwart ever since, going from Calder Trophy winner to helping the team to back-to-back Cup wins and three straight Cup Final appearances. Aaron Ekblad lifting the Stanley Cup Getty Images The 11-year veteran, a two-time All-Star, is also the first-ever Panthers defenseman to reach 300 points in his career. Advertisement Marchand was also with one team for his entire career until the Bruins traded him during the 2024-25 season to the Panthers. The Athletic previously reported that the Bruins were interested in a reunion with Marchand if he reached free agency, and that the Maple Leafs were potential suitors. Marchand was part of the Bruins team that won the 2011 Stanley Cup in his second year in the league. And he was a huge reason the Panthers were able to repeat this season, putting up 10 goals and 10 assists in 23 playoff games. Advertisement Brad Marchand in game 5 of the Stanley Cup NHLI via Getty Images The Panthers were also able to re-sign Conn Smythe winner Sam Bennett to an eight-year, $64 million deal. The band is back together in South Florida, and a dynasty could be in the offing.
Scottish Sun
2 days ago
- Business
- Scottish Sun
Hibs finally announce new CEO five months after Ben Kensell's shock departure as experienced EPL director heads to SPFL
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) HIBS have announced Dan Barnett as the club's new chief executive officer. The experienced director will take over the role - previously held by Ben Kensell - on August 1. 2 Ben Kensell previously held the role of CEO Credit: Andrew Barr 2 There's going to be a new chief at Easter Road Credit: Kenny Ramsay Kensell vacated the position in January by mutual consent and the Easter Road board have been searching for his replacement since. Now the Leith outfit have confirmed that Barnett has left his position at Leicester City to move north of the border in a few weeks' time. He spent six years at the King Power Stadium as the Foxes' commercial director. A statement from Hibs read: "Hibernian FC is delighted to announce the appointment of Dan Barnett as the Club's new Chief Executive Officer. "Barnett will officially start at Easter Road Stadium on 1 August, 2025, joining from former English Premier League side Leicester City, where he spent six years as Commercial Director. "Prior to joining Leicester City, Barnett's experience includes high-profile roles at UEFA in Switzerland, two America's Cup cycles in San Francisco, California and Bermuda as Chief Commercial Officer, and Olympic experience in the USA as Chief Marketing and Commercial Officer at U.S. Ski & Snowboard in Park City, Utah - the Olympic National Governing Body of ski and snowboard sports in the USA." Barnett has revealed he can't wait to get started and is looking forward to an "exciting new era" in Edinburgh. 'It is a tremendous honour to be joining Hibernian FC as Chief Executive Officer,' he said. 'This is a club steeped in a proud history, with an incredibly passionate fanbase, and with huge potential as we enter an exciting new era for the Football Club. From my first meeting with Ian Gordon, I have been excited about the vision for Hibernian FC and implementing a strategy to help us achieve our goals here. 'I am excited to start work in July, to work alongside my new colleagues, our supporters, and our partners, and to begin implementing our plan together as we strive to deliver a successful future for the Football Club.' David Gray opens up on THAT Cup Final winner for Hibs against Rangers and how he felt like a 'wild horse' as he celebrated Chairman Ian Gordon said: 'I am delighted to welcome Dan as the Club's new Chief Executive Officer. The process of appointing our new CEO has been long and thorough, to ensure we hired the right person to lead the business side of the Football Club. "We wanted someone with real business acumen that could help propel this fantastic club forward, and Dan's experience and expertise made him the outstanding candidate. 'Dan is an ambitious, forward-thinking leader with experience not only in football but sports organisations across the world. "His commercial nous and track-record of implementing successful strategies will greatly benefit a number of areas at Hibernian FC. Alongside this, he will be a great cultural fit at Easter Road and HTC, and will drive standards to ensure we are constantly improving. "I look forward to seeing how he takes our vision for the Club to the next level.' Keep up to date with ALL the latest news and transfers at the Scottish Sun football page
Miami Herald
6 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
Winter Classic prep, season tickets, arena upgrades keeping Florida Panthers busy
While the Florida Panthers were busy on the ice during their run to a second consecutive Stanley Cup title, Matt Caldwell was equally as busy behind the scenes. There's a lot on the plate of the team's president and CEO. In addition to handling the business side of things on the playoff run — including the eventual parade that took place last weekend on Fort Lauderdale Beach that reportedly cost more than $2 million — Caldwell had a slew of other operational duties to take care of. Continued preparation for the 2026 Winter Classic, set to be held at Miami's loanDepot park on Jan. 2. Season-ticket renewals. Upgrades to Amerant Bank Arena that are about to get underway for next season. 'It's a good problem to have,' Caldwell told the Miami Herald earlier this month, while the Panthers were still in the midst of their Stanley Cup Final series with the Edmonton Oilers that they won in six games to secure their second consecutive title. Fortunately for Caldwell, the Panthers being on extended runs like this have become common. This year marked Florida's third consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final. Florida also hosted the All-Star Game in 2023 ahead of their first Cup Final run and had the trip to Finland this regular season as part of the NHL's Global Series. That year-over-year experience, Caldwell said, has helped him learn to manage all the moving parts that come with his job when his team has an elongated postseason run and multiple priorities to handle at any given time. He has a good support group to lean on as well, mentioning chief revenue officer Shawn Thornton and chief strategy officer Mark Zarthar among people he has been able to delegate responsibilities to in order to better manage this busy stretch that now also included planning to host one of the league's biggest annual events in the Winter Classic in just more than six months. 'These last three years, it feels like one gig, you know, one big year altogether, like nonstop,' Caldwell said. 'It really feels like one big dream. ... These big events, these tentpole marquee events that the NHL has, we're blessed to participate in them. I think if we didn't have the experience of the last three years, it would be tougher as we can prepare for the Winter Classic.' Where things stand with Winter Classic prep As for specifics of those preparations, the league has already visited loanDepot park four times, including between Games 3 and 4 of the Cup Final when the series was in Sunrise, to begin surveying the stadium and get initial preparations done for the game between the Panthers and the Rangers. Steve Mayer, president of NHL events and content, and Dean Matsuzaki, NHL executive vice president of events, said the real ramp-up to getting specifics for the Winter Classic in order will come following the NHL Draft, which takes place in Los Angeles on Friday and Saturday. 'This summer will be a big, busy time for us,' Matsuzaki said. 'We're at a fairly good spot with the visits we've done so far to understand some of the real key operational pieces, like where the ice truck is going to go and how we're going to run the piping to the floor, where the route for the Zamboni to get to the ice will be. Once we have that in place, then we can start layering on some of the pageantry and things like that and the entertainment.' The Panthers' Winter Classic will be the first of two outdoor games held in the state during the course of a month, with the Tampa Bay Lightning hosting the Stadium Series against the Boston Bruins on Feb. 1 at Raymond James Stadium, the home of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. There is a 'slight advantage,' Mayer said, in terms of preparing for the Panthers' outdoor game than the Lightning's because loanDepot park has the retractable roof. 'We'll be risking just a little bit when we open [the roof] up,' Mayer said, 'but we are doing a night game. We are playing [at a time of year that's] probably an ideal weather for the ice. You never know if there's gonna be a heat wave. You never know if it's gonna be pouring down rain, all of the above, but we feel pretty confident. And what a beautiful ballpark. It's amazing.' Caldwell said that sometimes he still has to pinch himself to know that what's going on is actually happening. Even just a few years ago, before this current run of success, the Panthers struggled to fill the arena during the season. They had gone nearly two-and-a-half decades in between winning playoff series. Now, they're on top of the hockey world. 'It certainly is real,' Caldwell said. More Panthers updates And that has led to some real changes that the team has had to make. That included increasing season-ticket prices, a move that Caldwell said was necessary after the team's consistent success and the fact that they had kept prices low relative to the rest of the league for so long. And while not everyone was happy about the decision — 'I don't think people were cheerleading us; there were definitely a lot of questions and feedback,' Caldwell said — more than 90 percent of season-ticket holders renewed for next season, Caldwell said, adding that the wait list for potential new season-ticket holders is almost at capacity as well. The Panthers did a town hall with Caldwell, coach Paul Maurice and president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Zito in January to explain the reasoning behind the price increase. 'You guys have been so loyal to us and we've kept pricing low for a very long time,' Caldwell said. 'We explained that many people will be getting, at least on a percentage basis, a pretty steep increase but when you step back and look at the rest of the NHL, given our team performance and given the demand for tickets, our average ticket price was still in the bottom five of the league. I think people understood the logic.' The team is also in the process of upgrading the arena for the start of next season. The team's scoreboard at center ice, which has been in place since 2013, is being replaced, as are the LED ribbon boards throughout the arena. Additionally, a portion of the the 300-level of the arena will go through a makeover as well. About 1,400 seats will be removed to create a viewing deck similar to what the Tampa Bay Lightning constructed in 2011. Caldwell said that area will be able to fit about 800 people, so arena capacity will drop to about 18,650 once it's complete. 'I think the fans will be excited to see the upgrades next year,' Caldwell said.
Miami Herald
7 days ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Bobrovsky won two Stanley Cups with Panthers. He's ‘excited for what's coming next'
You won't see Sergei Bobrovsky having a wild, rambunctious time celebrating the Florida Panthers' second consecutive Stanley Cup championship like many of his teammates. That's not in the stoic, veteran goaltender's demeanor. 'I'm a little different,' Bobrovsky said. 'I celebrate a little different. I don't know. I feel humble and appreciative for the opportunity.' It's an opportunity Bobrovsky wasn't sure he would experience. He had already been in the NHL for 12 seasons before going on this run with the Florida Panthers that he wasn't sure he would ever experience. Three consecutive appearances in the Stanley Cup Final. Two Stanley Cup wins. But no amount of experience could have prepared him for what it would truly take to understand the demands and the emotions that go into competing for and ultimately winning a Stanley Cup — and then doing it again 12 months later. Bobrovsky said Florida's first trip to the Cup Final in 2023, when they lost in five games to the Vegas Golden Knights, was where he learned the most at any stage in his career to that point — even though he had already played nearly 650 regular-season games and had eight previous playoff runs under his belt. 'It's a process,' Bobrovsky said. 'The first Cup Final appearance, that experience gave me so much. It gave me a lot more than my 13 or 12 years, how many I played before in the NHL, in the league, so just that whole experience of playoffs and going that deep, it helped so much to learn about what demands there are, what's most important and what's less important. All those things helped me to get the win last year and help us to win this year.' Bobrovsky is always learning, always growing. He's now 15 seasons into his NHL career that all-but-assuredly will end with him landing in the Hockey Hall of Fame for his longevity and accolades. He's a two-time Vezina Trophy winner as the NHL's top goaltender. He has the 10th-most wins in NHL history (429) despite only playing the 24th-most games in league history by a goaltender (754) and has a chance to climb into the top five in wins by the end of next season. And now he has a pair of Stanley Cup titles to add to that resume. He's also showing no signs of slowing down. Bobrovsky, who turns 37 on Sept. 20, is entering the final year of his seven-year, $70 million contract with the Panthers but is playing near the top of his game when it matters the most. How much longer can Bobrovsky feasibly keep playing? He doesn't want to think that far into the future. Fitting, considering his ability, drive and desire to stay in the moment and prioritize only what's in front of him. And what's in front of him is good right now. 'It's tough to predict for five years right now,' Bobrovsky said. 'I don't want that because I feel like when you think too much ahead of yourself, you lose the focus on the moment, and I don't want to lose that. I've got so many great things right now, and I value them so much. I live in Florida, in an unbelievable city, an unbelievable environment. I have my great family. My second great family is here. We've got everything great here, and I want to the full advantage of this moment.' 'I'm playing my best hockey right now' But for the sake of argument, how rare is it for a goaltender Bobrovsky's age to not only continue to play but thrive this late in his career? It's rare. Only 12 goaltenders in NHL history have had a season where they have played at least 50 games during their age-37 season or beyond: Marc-Andre Fleury, Craig Anderson, Martin Brodeur, Tim Thomas, Dwayne Roloson, Olaf Kolzig, Ed Belfour, Dominik Hasek, Curtis Joseph, Patrick Roy, Tony Esposito and Johnny Bower. Fleury and Anderson are the only ones to do so since the 2011-12 season. Seven of those goaltenders — Brodeur, Belfour, Hasek, Joseph, Roy, Esposito and Bower — are in the Hockey Hall of Fame, with Fleury and Anderson likely locks to be selected in due time. 'Those age categories, not that many people can play at that level,' Bobrovsky said. 'It's just been a journey for me. So I feel like I'm playing my best hockey right now, the last three years or so. I feel good. I'm excited about next season. I feel great physically. I feel great mentally. ... I'm excited for what's coming next. I'm excited for new challenges. I'm excited to go through them with my teammates.' And they are excited to have Bobrovsky to go through it with them. After struggling his first four regular seasons with the Panthers, Bobrovsky rounded back into form during the 2023 postseason — Florida's first of three consecutive Cup Final appearances. During the past three postseasons, Bobrovsky has posted a .912 save percentage in 66 games (65 starts), with Florida winning 44 of his 65 starts.. He has six shutouts in that span — one in 2023, two in 2024 and three in 2025 — and 39 games with two or fewer goals allowed. 'A lot of times you'd say there's some sort of genetic thing, right? He's a freak of nature. He's this incredibly fit guy. He just happens to be able to operate [that well] at 37 years old, but there's so much more than that with Sergei,' Panthers coach Paul Maurice said. 'You see the amount of time he puts in to be a great pro, and that's the reason why. He's just worked so hard to get right. He's the perfect fit for our team.' 'One moment at a time' That goes back to his preparation and his mindset. Bobrovsky is at the point in his career where he knows his body and knows down to the tiniest detail what he needs to do to get ready for game day. His routine is ever-evolving but his mission is to stay where his feet are. Don't look too far back. Don't look too far ahead. Nothing, not even a pair of Stanley Cup titles, is changing that philosophy. 'I try to stay with one moment at a time, you know?' Bobrovsky said. 'At the moment, I'm just, I appreciate the experience I just had. It's been amazing, and I just want to value that experience and take my time to break it down and enjoy it completely and then think about what's next.' What's next, in the immediate, is a summer of recharging and refocusing. He'll wind down for a bit, spend some time with his wife and two daughters, enjoy the moments of free time while they're here. And then, before you know it, the work will begin again. The routine will ramp up. The chase for a third consecutive title will arrive. A new moment will be upon him. 'Next season, it starts from zero for everybody,' Bobrovsky said. 'There is no advantage. There is nothing we're going to have again. We're going to have our ups and downs. There are low points. If you lose, it's going to be sad. If you win, it's going to be happiness, That's how it goes again. As soon as training camps opens, nobody cares about what happened last year. Everybody's going to be excited for the goal, for the season ahead. Nobody's gonna think about what happened last year. But we have the experience, and we're gonna have to build a new atmosphere, new belief, new trust. We have to bring ourselves back to humble, back to zero and start chipping away, because the potential here is huge in this locker room.'
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Canadiens: A Quebecer Players Mount Rushmore
On Tuesday, Quebecers celebrated their national holiday, Saint-Jean-Baptiste. A day that has been eventful in Montreal Canadiens' history, from the blockbuster in 2017 that was meant to solve the first center conundrum when Jonathan Drouin arrived in Montreal in return for Mikael Sergachev to Artturi Lehkonen's Cup Final trip-clinching goal. On that special day for the province, it felt like a good idea to list who would be featured on my Mount Rushmore of Quebec hockey players. Of course, the list cannot only include Tricolore players, but they do dominate. Without further ado and in no particular order, here we go. Advertisement The Canadiens Had Moved On From Zegras Canadiens: Potential First-Round Pick – Jack Nesbitt Could The Canadiens Swing A Big Trade With The Golden Knights? Maurice Richard Any Mount Rushmore of Quebec-born players has got to include the Rocket. The original Richard was so much more than a hockey player; he was the idol of a people and the leader the province needed to undergo social and political changes. He empowered the people of Quebec to shine and excel in their fields. The first player to score 50 goals in 50 games, the Rocket now has a trophy named after him, which is awarded annually to the league's top goal scorer. When he left the game, Richard was leading all players in career points with his 966 points in 978 games. Mario Lemieux It's impossible not to put the Magnifique on this list. Lemieux is arguably the best player in history, and it's impossible to know what heights he could have reached had he not had to deal with chronic back pain and cancer. When he hung up his skates for good, he had played 915 games and picked up 1723 points for a 1.88 point-per-game average, not far behind Wayne Gretzky's 1.92 PPG average. In addition to being a fantastic player, Lemieux saved the franchise that drafted him, the Pittsburgh Penguins, twice. Once as a player and once as an owner, when you think of hockey in Pittsburgh, you think of Super Mario, even though it is now the home of Sid the Kid. Patrick Roy I may catch some flak for this one since Roy doesn't lead the NHL in goalie wins, but I believe he was an absolute force on the ice, not just because of how well he played, but also because of his mental strength. There should be a picture of Roy next to the word 'clutch' in the dictionary. To this day, Roy remains the only player in history to win the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoffs MVP for two different teams and to win it three times in four Stanley Cup wins, which demonstrates the significant contribution he made to those victories. Brodeur might have won three Cups, but he never was the playoffs' MVP. In his 1,029-game career, Roy has a 551-315-131 record. Furthermore, he led the Canadiens to their last two Stanley Cups; without his elite goaltending, Montreal would still be stuck on 22 Cups. Guy Lafleur I was torn here between Flower and Le Gros Bill, but Lafleur is the last absolute offensive superstar who wore the Sainte-Flanelle and was part of that Canadiens' dynasty in the 1970s. When Beliveau skated into the sunset, Flower took over the torch, and although it took him a couple of years, he eventually held it high for all to see. In 1,126 games, Lafleur put up 1,353 points while Beliveau, in just one less game, put up 1,219 points. Perhaps I'm showing my age here, and I went with Lafleur because I was lucky enough to see him play; that's a possibility, but just like Richard, Lafleur was the people's idol. Unlike many players, he was always frank and ready to give his opinion, which is another reason why people loved him. Quebecer's reaction to his death in April 2022 said it all… Advertisement Photo credit: Eric Bolte - Imagn Images Canadiens stories, analysis, breaking news, and more! Tap the star to add us to your favorites on Google News, never to miss a story. Follow Karine on X @KarineHains Bluesky @ and Threads @karinehains. Bookmark The Hockey News Canadiens' page for all the news and happenings around the Canadiens. Join the discussion by signing up to the Canadiens' roundtable on The Hockey News.
