Latest news with #Panthers'
The Print
a day ago
- Business
- The Print
Legendary MiG-21 jets set to retire after over six decades in service
The MiG-21s used to be the mainstay of the IAF for a long period of time. The last of the MiG-21 jets, belonging to number 23 Squadron, nicknamed 'Panthers' will be given a farewell at a ceremony in Chandigarh airbase on September 19, they said. New Delhi, Jul 22 (PTI) The legendary Russian-origin MiG-21 aircraft are finally set to retire from the Indian Air Force (IAF) in September after remaining in service for over six decades, people aware of the development said on Tuesday. After its first induction in the 1960s, the IAF procured over 870 MiG-21 fighters to boost its overall combat prowess. However, the aircraft has a very poor safety record. The MiG-21s were the dominant platforms during 1965 and 1971 wars with Pakistan. The aircraft also played a key role in the 1999 Kargil conflict as well as 2019 Balakot airstrikes. With phasing out of the last of the few MiG-21s, the number of the IAF's fighter squadrons is expected to come down to an abysmal low of 29 from the officially sanctioned strength of 42. The IAF was planning to replace the MiG-21s with Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (Mark1A). However, there has been delays in supply of the indigenously-built aircraft by the state-run aerospace major Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd (HAL). In February 2021, the defence ministry sealed a Rs 48,000 crore deal with HAL for the procurement of 83 Tejas Mk-1A jets for the IAF. The ministry is also in the process of procuring 97 more LCA Mk-1As at a cost of around Rs 67,000 crore. Tejas is a single-engine multi-role fighter aircraft capable of operating in high-threat air environments. It has been designed to undertake air defence, maritime reconnaissance and strike roles. The HAL is looking at supplying 12 Tejas jets to the IAF by March, 2025. PTI MPB KVK KVK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
Miami Herald
2 days ago
- Business
- Miami Herald
The Panthers are nearly $4 million over the salary cap. How they can remedy that
The Florida Panthers, rightfully so, are enjoying their summer right now. The back-to-back Stanley Cup champions handled most of their business already. President of hockey operations and general manager Bill Zito managed to re-sign the trio of defenseman Aaron Ekblad plus forwards Sam Bennett and Brad Marchand. Forwards Tomas Nosek and Mackie Samoskevich got new deals, too. Plus the Panthers got their backup goaltender (Daniil Tarasov) and depth defenseman (Jeff Petry) to round out the roster. So until training camp begins in September, the team is going to revel in its success just as it did last summer. But before the 2025-26 season begins on Oct. 7 and the Panthers attempt for a rare three-peat, some business will need to be tended to. Specifically, the Panthers will have to address their salary cap situation. According to PuckPedia, the Panthers' are currently carrying a $99.225 million cap hit for next season when factoring in their top 23 contracts — 14 forwards, seven defensemen and two goalies. That's $3.725 million over the league's salary cap of $95.5 million for the season. Florida is one of three teams that is currently over the cap, along with the Vegas Golden Knights ($7.64 million over) and the Montreal Canadiens ($4.52 million over). At the moment, Florida is able to be over the cap. The league allows teams to be up to 10% above the cap — this offseason, that's $9.55 million — during the offseason, but teams have to be cap compliant by the start of the regular season. How will the Panthers handle the cap crunch? Only two options seem truly feasible at this point. Option 1: Matthew Tkachuk opens the season on long-term injured reserve, during which time his $9.5 million cap hit would not count toward the Panthers' salary cap. The star winger played through the entire Stanley Cup playoffs with a tadductor muscle that had torn all the way off the bone in addition to a sports hernia, both of which were sustained during the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. Tkachuk, who got married to his fiancee Ellie over the weekend, said shortly after the Cup Final that there's a 50-50 chance he would need surgery this offseason. He has not yet had the surgery. Should that happen, it's likely Tkachuk would not be ready to start the season and they could use LTIR to provide temporary salary cap relief. Players on LTIR must miss a minimum of 10 games or 24 days of the season, whichever is longer. Option 2: The Panthers can trade players under contract for prospects or draft picks to offload salary. Looking at the roster, the only players making significant enough money that don't have a no-movement clause in his contract that would be logical trade candidates are forwards Evan Rodrigues and one of either Jesper Boqvist or Dmitry Kulikov. Rodrigues has a cap hit of $3 million each of the next two seasons, Boqvist $1.5 million each of the next two seasons, and Kulikov $1.15 million each of the next three seasons. Rodrigues has played a key role for Florida the past two seasons but doesn't necessarily have a defined role. He is the player coach Paul Maurice has moved up and down the lineup to fill whatever gap is needed, a Swiss Army Knife of sorts. Boqvist is in a similar spot. He primarily played in the bottom six during the season but showed he can rise to the occasion in the playoffs when needed, filling in on the top line twice when Rodrigues and Sam Reinhart each missed time with injury. Kulikov has been a standout on Florida's third defense pairing. The other players on the roster without no movement clauses, in descending order of cap hit for next season, are center Anton Lundell ($5 million), forward Eetu Luostarinen ($3 million), defenseman Niko Mikkola ($2.5 million), forward A.J. Greer ($850,000), defenseman Uvis Balinskis ($850,000), forward Jonah Gadjovich ($775,000), Petry ($775,000), Nosek ($775,000) and Samoskevich ($775,000). Lundell, Luostarinen and Mikkola are seen as part of Florida's core, and the six making less than $1 million apiece wouldn't offset the cap enough to justify moving them. The possibility of trading Rodrigues and Boqvist — or making any other deals of that sort — likely won't become serious conversations until the Panthers have clarity on Tkachuk's status. If Tkachuk starts on LTIR, then Florida can carry both Rodrigues and Boqvist and have $5.775 million to work with until Tkachuk returns. However, should both Rodrigues and Boqvist be dealt, that would put Florida exactly $775,000 under the cap — just enough money to add a player making the league minimum to the roster and be cap compliant.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Florida Panthers celebrate National Ice Cream Day with Brad Marchand artwork
Sergei Belski-Imagn Images The Florida Panthers added a scoop of humor to National Ice Cream Day on Sunday by sharing a playful piece of artwork featuring Brad Marchand. The illustration shows the veteran forward serving ice cream, a callback to a viral joke that emerged during the Stanley Cup Playoffs. The post celebrated National Ice Cream Day by bringing back a lighthearted meme that fans have come to love. Brad Marchand ice cream meme gets spotlight on National Ice Cream Day To celebrate National Ice Cream Day, the Florida Panthers shared a playful illustration of Brad Marchand cheerfully handing out ice cream. The artwork was posted across the team's social media platforms, capturing the lighthearted spirit of the moment. The image ties back to a humorous moment from the Eastern Conference Final against the Carolina Hurricanes, when fans joked that Marchand had been eating a Dairy Queen Blizzard between overtime periods. What started as a funny observation quickly gained momentum online, turning into a quirky part of the team's playoff identity. Panthers' National Ice Cream Day post delights fans and fuels the fun By featuring Brad Marchand in a cheerful ice cream-themed illustration, the Florida Panthers tapped into the meme's popularity while giving fans another reason to celebrate. The post wasn't just clever, it showed how the team continues to engage with its community in playful, creative ways, even in the offseason. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like They Were So Beautiful Before; Now Look At Them; Number 10 Will Shock You Cash Roadster Undo Social media lit up with reactions, as fans enjoyed the humor and nod to past postseason antics. The post reinforced the strong bond between the team and its community, keeping the off‑season spirit lively and engaging. Moments like these help keep the energy high and the bond between team and fans strong. It was a simple gesture, but one that added another sweet chapter to the Panthers' unforgettable postseason narrative. A playful reminder of how small moments can connect teams and fans The National Ice Cream Day post didn't reference any specific win or title. Instead, it was a fun callback to a moment fans clearly enjoyed during a memorable playoff run. Featuring Marchand in the artwork added to the charm, reinforcing how even the smallest moments can bring fans and teams closer together. By sharing Marchand-themed artwork on National Ice Cream Day, the Florida Panthers showed that team spirit extends beyond the rink. The post blended humor, nostalgia, and creativity, offering fans a sweet reminder of how fun hockey can be, even in the off-season. Also Read: Brad Marchand reacts to 'big 3' tweet with viral photo of Panthers' third line Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
USA Today
3 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Panthers training camp preview: Does the DL have enough depth?
With the Carolina Panthers set to report to training camp this week, it's time to take a look at the lay of the land. Which players are sure to make it through the summer and onto the team's initial 53-man roster? Are there any wild-card candidates who can leave a lasting impression in the coming weeks? And which battles are worth keeping an eye on? Here is our training camp preview for the Panthers' defensive line: Locks Carolina's defense, with Brown missing 16 of 17 outings due to a knee injury, allowed a league-high 179.8 rushing yards per game in 2024. The Pro Bowler is aiming to be back on the practice field for camp. He'll be joined by two of the team's big free-agent signees in Wharton and Brown III. Their additions should open up the luxury of utilizing Robinson as a premium rotational piece. Likely to make it Tuttle did not fare well as the primary nose tackle last season. He remains in the fold after taking a pay cut. Jackson and Crumedy are recent Day 3 draft picks. The former was selected in the fifth round of the 2025 draft and the latter, who was limited to just five games as a rookie because of a high-ankle sprain, went as a sixth-round in 2024. On the bubble Ray made nine starts in 2024. Pro Football Focus saddled him with a 33.0 overall defensive grade and a 31.5 run defense grade. Battle to watch Now that Brown III is lined up as the new starting nose tackle, Tuttle and Jackson could be fighting for reps as the backup. Jackson, at a massive 6-foot-6 and 328 pounds, may be better suited for the role. Potential sleeper The Panthers signed Harrison-Hunte this past spring as an undrafted free agent. He was a first-team All-ACC member in 2024, where he recorded 6.5 sacks for a strong Southern Methodist University squad. Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Panthers training camp preview: OL features the team's biggest battle of the summer
With the Carolina Panthers set to report to training camp this week, it's time to take a look at the lay of the land. Which players are sure to make it through the summer and onto the team's initial 53-man roster? Are there any wild-card candidates who can leave a lasting impression in the coming weeks? And which battles are worth keeping an eye on? Here is our training camp preview for the Panthers' offensive line: Locks Carolina is boasting one of the more solid offensive lines they've had in some time. Their starting unit is almost entirely set and will be backed up by a few versatile pieces in Christensen, Nijman and, possibly, Mays. There is, however, a bit of uncertainty surrounding the future of Moton as he enters the final season of his contract. The Panthers don't seem all too certain about the long-term health of the soon-to-be 31-year-old, who has played in 129 of a possible 132 games during his eight-year career. Likely to make it After a rough rookie campaign, Zavala gave a decent account of himself from both guard positions in 2024. The former fourth-rounder earned a 71.2 offensive grade from Pro Football Focus, with a 73.9 mark in pass-blocking and a 71.9 mark on the ground over 198 offensive snaps. On the bubble Kingston might have the best chance of this bunch to claim an initial roster spot, having already spent the 2024 season on Carolina's active roster. Battle to watch In what is perhaps the Panthers' biggest bout of the summer, Corbett will try to reclaim the starting center job from Mays. Corbett, who transitioned from guard to center in 2024, had a solid start derailed by a season-ending biceps injury in Week 5. Mays took over at the middle for eight of the last nine games, allowing just 10 pressures over 308 pass-blocking opportunities. Can Corbett stave off Mays, who helped in the late-season revival of quarterback Bryce Young, and his recent injury history? Follow @ThePanthersWire on Twitter/X for more Panthers content.
