Latest news with #StanleyCups
Miami Herald
15 hours ago
- Sport
- Miami Herald
Florida Panthers, Sam Bennett agree to eight-year contract extension
It's official: Sam Bennett ain't leaving the Florida Panthers. The Panthers on Friday announced they have agreed to an eight-year contract extension with Bennett that will keep the center with the team through the 2032-33 season. The deal has an average annual value of $8 million. It's a massive pay raise from Bennett's previous deal, which paid him an average of $4.425 million per year. 'Sam is a special player who has mastered a unique blend of skill and physicality in his game, becoming one of the most impactful postseason performers of his generation,' Panthers president of hockey operations and general manager Bill Zito said in a press release. 'He played an integral role in our two Stanley Cup championships, earning the franchise's first Conn Smythe Trophy and is a dedicated contributor to our South Florida community off the ice. We are thrilled that he will continue his career with the Panthers.' And it's for good reason. Bennett has been a stabilizer for the Panthers since coming to Florida at the 2021 trade deadline from the Calgary Flames. The center has a perfect blend of physicality and scoring touch that has allowed him to thrive in Florida's system under coach Paul Maurice and a key reason why the Panthers have won back-to-back Stanley Cups. In 289 regular-season games with the Panthers, Bennett has produced 196 points (95 goals, 101 assists) while also laying out 616 hits and winning 46.4 percent of his faceoffs. He had a career-year in 2024-25, setting single-season highs in points (51) and assists (26) while also scoring 25 goals. Bennett's game elevated in the playoffs, scoring a league-leading 15 goals in the postseason — including an NHL record 13 on the road — on his way to winning the Conn Smythe Trophy as playoffs MVP. Bennett made it clear twice after Florida won its second title that he wanted to stay. He proclaimed 'I ain't [expletive] leaving!' during the team's celebration at the Miami nightclub E11even on Thursday night as the crowd chanted 'eight more years!' At the team's championship parade on Fort Lauderdale Beach on Sunday, Bennett reiterated his desire to remain with the Panthers during his brief speech, which he capped by saying 'eight more years, please.' That wish has been granted, and now Bennett becomes the latest member of Florida's core to be signed long-term. Bennett is one of eight Panthers players under contract through at least the 2029-30 season, joining forwards Aleksander Barkov (2029-30), Matthew Tkachuk (2029-30), Anton Lundell (2029-30), Sam Reinhart (2031-32) and Carter Verhaeghe (2032-33) along with defensemen Seth Jones (2029-30) and Gustav Forsling (2031-32). This story will be updated.
Time of India
18 hours ago
- Sport
- Time of India
Why Wayne Gretzky was never drafted: The full story behind hockey's greatest mystery
Why Wayne Gretzky was never drafted: The full story behind hockey's greatest mystery(Image Via IG/@waynegretzky) It might be an astonishing fact to learn that the greatest player in hockey history, Wayne Gretzky, was never drafted into the NHL . Current stars like Connor McDavid and Sidney Crosby had the honor of going first overall, but Wayne entered the league in an unusual backdoor way. This was not a case of some bizarre scouting miss; it was a perfect storm comprising age restriction, rival league, and one extraordinary contract in the making of hockey legends. Wayne Gretzky's early days in the WHA and that contract, which changed everything Wayne Gretzky 🏒: The NHL Legend Who Was Never Actually Drafted! 🚀 #shorts #waynegretzky #nhl #hockey Wayne Gretzky's path to the NHL began outside the NHL. At barely 17 years of age, he joined the World Hockey Association (WHA), a rival to the NHL, which allowed younger players to turn professional. He signed in 1978 with the Indianapolis Racers, but his stay there was short. After just eight games, the financially shaky team sold his contract to the Edmonton Oilers, another WHA franchise. Even so, Gretzky wasn't an ordinary player. He had entered into a personal services contract, not a standard player contract. This meant that he was bound directly to the Oilers owner, Peter Pocklington, circumventing normal player rules. When the WHA merged with the NHL in 1979, the league found itself at a crossroads: would Gretzky be entered into the draft, or would he be allowed to play under his existing contract? Memories: Wayne Gretzky tallies his final NHL point In its endless whim against the league recession, the Colorado Rockies would supposedly snatch up my pick if I were drafted and moved. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like This Is Why Smart People Always Keep Baking Soda At Home Read More Undo Hence, Gretzky insisted that he would remain in Edmonton. Following protracted deliberations, the NHL finally agreed to a compromise: the Oilers could keep Gretzky, but their draft order would be moved to the bottom for 1979. Thus, in 1979, they held the 21st overall pick and opted for Kevin Lowe, yet another future Hall of Famer. The introduction of Gretzky into the NHL marked the beginning of the epic dynasty in Edmonton. Over nine seasons, Gretzky led the Oilers to four Stanley Cups and set scoring records that no one has dared to touch till today, 2,857 career points, including 894 goals and 1,963 assists. While Alex Ovechkin did put an end to the goal record in 2025, no one has matched his total supremacy since. Also Read: From Canada's hero to Donald Trump's ally? Wayne Gretzky's silence still feels like a betrayal to his home country Wayne Gretzky's undrafted road to NHL greatness is a rare story told on the stage of timing, talent, and smart maneuvering. While today's prospects follow rigid draft rules, Gretzky proved that greatness does not always need permission to begin. His legacy remains one of the most remarkable and unrepeatable in all of sports history. Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
Toronto Sun
2 days ago
- Sport
- Toronto Sun
Maple Leafs' head scout Mark Leach hopes to find late gem at NHL draft
Toronto Maple Leafs general manager Brad Treliving. Photo by Jack Boland / Toronto Sun In 1969, at the first universal draft, the Philadelphia Flyers picked bruising Don Saleski 64th, who made the NHL in two years and won two Stanley Cups. 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 Such home runs at that particular position have been very hard to come by since. And in today's well-researched 32-team league, Mark Leach and the Maple Leafs amateur scouts know the youngster they select Saturday at 64 will be a long-term project. 'When you get down to that (late second round), these players take a little longer to develop,' Leach said Thursday at his pre-draft media availability. 'It's a bit more than a straight line to get from A to B. You just be patient and see where they are in a few years. Most of these kids are three to five years away. They have some little issues in their game or they'd be top 10. But they all have talent.' In the 10 drafts since the 1990s where Toronto didn't have a first rounder, it often interviewed the best prospects anyway for intel purposes. Leach told his regional scouts during the season to talk to those blue chippers, including their coaches and trainers, choosing to use 1-on-1's at this month's combine in Buffalo to meet more kids who'd be on the Leaf radar this year. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We dig into personality and background checks. It's very important what their family upbringing is, where they come from.' Leach and general manager Brad Treliving will work out of the Ford Performance Centre for Friday's first round and Saturday's conclusion, as all teams are homebound in this decentralized draft. About 100 of the top prospects will be at the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman and VIPs for a TV special. This is Leach's first draft running the Leafs table, but he did very well in Detroit under general manager Jim Nill and followed him to Dallas. Many of the Stars' stars, including Wyatt Johnston, Jason Robertson, Miro Heiskanen and Jake Oettinger, were Leach's calls. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Leach has to be ready if Treliving trades back into the first round (Chicago owns the Leaf pick at 25 from the Jake McCabe deal) or as Treliving indicated Thursday, Toronto might get multiple picks from moving down. Treliving acknowledged this will feel like the virtual drafts of 2020 and '21 when Covid shut down travel. 'You're missing the personal contact where you could walk up and down the tables and talk to guys,' Treliving said of conducting business such as trades. 'But we've got phones. I don't anticipate it being a problem.' Lhornby@ X: @sunhornby Read More Toronto Raptors Canada Celebrity Canada Canada
Time of India
3 days ago
- Sport
- Time of India
'It's something that I wanna give him': Corey Perry plays for his son, Griffin, and wants to give him a Stanley Cup
(Image via Getty Images: Corey Perry with his son, Griffin) Ice hockey has been in the lives of many NHL families for generations and generations to come. Grandfathers played. Fathers are playing. And in the future, their sons will play. The same story resonates with 40-year-old Corey Perry and his 7-year-old son, Griffin. Having lost 5 Stanley Cups in 6 years, Perry's only dream is to give his son a Stanley Cup. Perry said in an early June media interview, 'This is why I'm still playing, too - it is to have him feel, have an opportunity to feel and touch a Stanley Cup. It's something that I wanna give him.' Corey Perry says his son, Griffin, expects him to be in the Stanley Cup Finals The media asked Corey Perry about his son, Griffin, expecting his father to always be in the Stanley Cup Finals. The 2024 NHL season was Perry's fifth Stanley Cup Final appearance. Perry shared, 'He(Griffin)'s seven. He'll be eight in August. He's been around. He's seen it, but being three years old, I'm not sure you understand it - (Griffin nodded a no. The reporters burst into laughter).' Perry continued, 'He kind of expects it. But you know, to have him here, he knows everybody in the league, he knows what positions they play, who's the leading scorer - you know, all the things 'cause he's watching the highlights every single morning and playing mini-sticks at the same time before school. This is why I'm still playing, too - it is to have him feel - have an opportunity to feel and touch a Stanley Cup. It's something that I wanna give him. ' MEDIA DAY | Corey Perry 06.03.25 Edmonton Oilers forward and alternate captain Leon Draisaitl teaches ice hockey to Corey Perry's son, Griffin Corey Perry's son, Griffin, addressed the media at his father's press conference(Perry had to lower the mic a little for his adorable son.) The 7-year-old shared how much he enjoyed watching his dad play ice hockey, the position he played, and that he learned ice hockey from Leon Draisaitl. Reporter: 'How do you think your Dad's playing?' Griffin: 'Uh, good.' Reporter: 'Do you play hockey, Griffin?' Griffin: 'Oh yeah.' Reporter: 'What position do you play?' Griffin: 'Center. It's hard for him to teach me.' Corey interrupts, 'It's hard for me to teach you? But you have a pretty good teacher, don't you?' Griffin: 'Yeah.' Reporter: 'Who's your teacher?' Griffin: 'Leon(Draisaitl).' Reporter: 'What have you learned from him?' Griffin: 'How to win face-offs.' Reporter: 'You're always at the rink. What's your favorite part about coming at the rink?' Griffin: 'Shooting the rink. Shooting pucks in the rink. I love it.' Reporter: 'How jealous are your friends at school?' Griffin: 'No idea.' Corey: 'They don't know you're here, right? Maybe tomorrow, they'll find out?' Griffin: 'I think they think I'm sick.' Also Read: 'I think I'm in love with this sport': Haoxi Wang fell for ice hockey when he was 4, and now at 17, he's a 2025 NHL Draft prospect | NHL News - Times of India Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
USA Today
4 days ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Michigan State hockey alum Duncan Keith inducted into Hockey Hall of Fame's 2025 class
Michigan State hockey is on the rise, with Adam Nightingale making the program one of the nation's best, once again. On Tuesday, the program received another feather in it's cap, coming from the past. Former Spartan defenseman Duncan Keith has been inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame a a member of the 2025 class. Keith, a member of the Michigan State program from 2001-to-2003, had a lengthy NHL career. A 17 year NHL career that consisted of time with the Chicago Blackhawks and Edmonton Oilers, Keith played in 1,256 games, scoring 106 goals and 540 assists. Additionally, Keith won three Stanley Cups with the Blackhawks, while also winning two gold medals with Canada in the Olympics. He played in 151 career playoff games. Other critical accolades along Keith's career include being the 2015 recipient of the Conn Smythe Award, while also being a two time Norris Trophy winner and a four time all star. Keith will be a member of the class, alongside Zdeno Chara, Joe Thornton, Alexander Mogilny, Jack Parker, Brianna Decker, Jennifer Botterill and Danièle Sauvageau. Contact/Follow us @The SpartansWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Michigan State news, notes and opinion. You can also follow Cory Linsner on X @Cory_Linsner
