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Forbes
05-07-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Summer Of 2025 Has Been A World Of Difference For The Tampa Bay Lightning
SUNRISE, Fla. — Pontus Holmberg of the Toronto Maple Leafs against the Florida Panthers during first ... More period action at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 8, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by) This summer has been in stark contrast from that of a year ago for the Tampa Bay Lightning. While fans were not gathered outside Amalie Arena with pitchforks, there was much moaning, groaning and other expressions of disappointment when Steven Stamkos signed with Nashville upon the free agency window opening last summer. The writing had long been on the wall and in type that became bolder as time marched along and the Stammer can continued to be kicked down the street. Extending Victor Hedman (four years, $32 million) proved to be the imperative off-season duty for Julien BriseBois, and the late-May reacquisition of on- and off-ice pillar Ryan McDonagh from the Predators made it pretty clear the general manager was going about business in a manner that would not include the franchise's all-time leading scorer. A June 29 trade that could pay dividends for seasons to come had defenseman J.J. Moser and forward Conor Geekie, now 25 and 21, respectively, arrive in Tampa from Utah in exchange for blueliner Mikhail Sergachev and his $8.5 million AAV. That provided BriseBois with the capital to procure star forward Jake Guentzel (for a 2025 third-round pick) and sign him at a rate of $9 million per over seven years. Guentzel fared very well in his first season with the Bolts, collecting a third 40-goal season. Meanwhile, Moser proceeded to record a plus-20 rating despite missing nearly 30 games, and Geekie, showed flashes of his considerable talent during a rookie campaign (52 games, 8 goals) that also included a roughly two-month stint at Syracuse of the AHL. Indeed, nothing this summer was going to compare with last year's activity. Still, BriseBois and the Bolts, with $5.5 million in cap space, went to work fortifying the ranks in the aftermath of a draft that yielded eight selections led by forward Ethan Czata, who had 21 goals and 55 points in 68 games with Niagara (OHL), at No. 56. Keeping Goncalves With veteran Yanni Gourde already in the fold at an AAV of $2.33 million over six years, there was also a strong desire to retain the services of 24-year-old forward Gage Goncalves. In a 26-game stretch commencing with his season debut with the parent club November 5, the forward produced one goal and one assist and, ultimately, another flight to Syracuse. However, he was back with the Crunch for less than two weeks before he was summoned once again. 'You would just want to see guys go down there and not hang their head and keep working at their game, and that's what he did,' coach Jon Cooper said at the time. Goncalves was 7-11-18 over his final 34 regular season games. That was followed by 1-3-4 in all five games of Tampa Bay's first round playoff series loss to the Panthers, an experience that could only benefit Goncalves. Cooper, BriseBois, et al, undoubtedly approved of what they saw and re-signed him to a two-year deal with an AAV of $1.2 million. 'It really means a lot to sign this deal, and hopefully I can just keep growing as a player and kind of as a person in Tampa,' said the second-round, 2020 pick. Improving even-strength 'model' With UFAs Luke Glendening and Cam Atkinson not in the plan for 2025-26, the Lightning needed to address the bottom six of its forward ranks. The need was fulfilled when Pontus Holmberg and Jakob Pelletier did not receive qualifying offers from the Maple Leafs and Flyers, respectively, and signed with the Bolts. In Holmberg, Tampa Bay has a player who, according to BriseBois, can be tough to play against. 'He's a pest, goes to the hard areas, takes pride in his work ethic and, in being particularly competitive and feisty, draws penalties,' he said. 'Our model is to be a really good defensive team, a really good five-on-five team. He allows us to be an even better version of that model. That's why we brought him in.' Holmberg was brought in on a two-year deal at an average of $1.55 million. The 26-year-old, who made his NHL debut with the Leafs in 2022-23, played in 68 games with Toronto last season and was 7-19-26 in 12:40 of ice time. His 53 blocked shots were third among the team's forwards. BUFFALO - James Reimer of the Buffalo Sabres makes a save on a shot by Jakob Pelletier of the ... More Philadelphia Flyers in the first period during a game on April 17, 2025 at KeyBank Center in Buffalo, New York. (Photo by Ben Green/NHLI via Getty Images) The 24-year-old Pelletier was 7-12-19 in 49 games with the Flyers and Flames. He signed for three years beginning with a two-way deal for the 2025-26 season prior to the final two years converting to a one-way term. He has played 86 career NHL games and made his debut with Calgary versus the Lightning during the second half of the 2022-23 season. The Lightning also brought back Boris Katchouk on a one-year, two-way deal. The 27-year-old played his first 38 NHL games with Tampa Bay in 2021-22 prior to being dealt to the Blackhawks at that season's trade deadline. He was sent to Chicago along with a pair of first-round picks (2023 and 2024) and forward Taylor Raddysh in return for Brandon Hagel. That has worked out pretty well, hasn't it? Katchouk, who has played 176 NHL games with the Lightning, 'Hawks and Senators, spent last season with the Penguins' AHL affiliate in Wilkes-Barre-Scranton, scoring 21 goals.
Edmonton Journal
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Edmonton Journal
William Nylander, Leon Draisaitl lead European pre-Olympic picks
Article content Among Swedes joining Nylander are Colorado's Gabriel Landeskog, who made a late-season return from injury for the Colorado Avalanche and Tampa Bay Lightning captain Victor Hedman. Sweden's great rival, Finland, named Aleksandar Barkov, who hopes to win a second Stanley Cup this week with the Florida Panthers, plus three Dallas Stars; Mikko Rantanen, Miro Heiskanen and Anton Lindell. Sebastian Aho of the Carolina Hurricanes with Jusse Saros in net. The Swiss will be bolstered by Roman Josi of the Nashville Predators, two New Jersey Devils in Nico Hischier and Timo Meier, and Winnipeg Jet Nino Niederreiter. Germany leader is Edmonton's Leon Draisaitl, this year's Rocket Richard Trophy winning scorer with 52 goals, a further 33 playoff points to date, and Ottawa Senators Tim Stutzle. Czechia's six pack includes Boston great David Pastrnak, defenceman Radko Gudas and goaltender Lukas Dostal. Two netminders were prominent in Latvia's selections, Elvis Merzlikins of Columbus and Vancouver Canuck Arturs Silovs. Canada and the U.S. are expected to unveil their top six later Monday.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Stanley Pup expands in 2025 with all 32 NHL teams and heartwarming rescue stories
NHL's 'Stanley Pup' to air during Cup Final (Credit: NHL) The Stanley Pup event is back for 2025 with more dogs, more teams, and a deeper mission. A year after its debut, the show expanded its reach to include all 32 NHL franchises. The playful event pairs puppies with NHL team themes. While encouraging pet adoption through uplifting storytelling and star-studded appearances. The show will air on truTV in the US on Friday. At 7 p.m. ET, Sportsnet in Canada on Saturday at 6pm, and NHL Network on Sunday at 7pm, it will also be available on NHL digital platforms, unlike its 2024 premiere. This featured only playoff teams, this year's edition. This ensures every NHL fan sees their team represented, from Seattle to Sunrise. This broadened approach came after fan feedback, and many felt left out when their team wasn't included last year, the producers have responded with full inclusion in 2025. This is creating a show that's not only more engaging. But also more equitable for fans across the league. Animal adoption and community support at the core At its heart, the Stanley Pup is more than just entertainment. The show's mission is to raise awareness around animal welfare and adoption. Monumental Sports and Entertainment, in partnership with local rescue organizations, has made it a priority to feature dogs in need of homes from the Washington D.C., by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Médico: Eu imploro que os Brasileiros usem isso para emagrecer Palmilha Emagrecedora Compre já Undo Maryland, and Virginia areas. Every dog appearing in the show is adoptable, and many have already found homes through last year's success. This year, the impact is growing beyond puppies, as the production has added cats. This will serve as part of the ice crew and in-game entertainment, even a rescue pig will sing the national anthem. This is emphasizing the message that all animals deserve love and care. The production also highlights stories from around the country, such as the efforts of Los Angeles rescue groups who stepped up during the Pacific Palisades and Altadena wildfires. With assistance from Petco Love, nearly 500 animals were cared for, many of whom have since been reunited with owners or adopted. NHL set for "The Stanley Pup" Celebrities and NHL players support the initiative The Stanley Pup will feature several NHL players including Victor Hedman, Jaccob Slavin, Sam Bennett, Alex Kerfoot, and Ryan Leonard. Their involvement goes beyond appearances, players introduce adoptable dogs, share personal connections to animal rescue, and help convey the emotional heart of the show. Read more: Flyers GM Danny Briere doubles down on 2025 NHL Draft plan, saying 'we're not afraid to take swings' amid chatter of big moves By blending hockey culture with adoption advocacy. The Stanley Pup has evolved into a meaningful broadcast experience, and it highlights the power of community. And the joy of rescue animals, and the growing bond between sports and social impact.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New HUTVerse, Closers, and World Championship Frozen Forces Cards In NHL 25
New HUTVerse, CLosers, and IIHF World Championship themed Frozen Forces cards are available in NHL 25 HUT. HUT Verse cards are players who are playing a different position than they do in real life, this is a massive content add with 84 new HUTVerse cards being introduced. There are four HUT Verse exchange sets. Players can trade in any six 88+ cards for A HUT Verse pack. 20 88+ cards for a 5x pack, three 89+ HUTVerse cards for a 91+ HUTVerse player, or three 90+ HV cards for a 92 HV player. HUTVerse cards are broken down into Young Stars Collection, Oh Canada Collection, and by Division, allowing players to trade in related cards for a master set player. The master set players are 96 overall Dougie Hamilton, Victor Hedman, Filip Forsberg. and Quinton Byfield. The new Closers players are five 95 overall members of the back-to-back PWHL champion Minnesota Frost. The Nine new Frozen Forces cards are three members each of the three countries who medaled at the 2025 World Championship, USA, Switzerland, and Sweden, All new Closers and Frozen Forces cards as well as the 10 HUTVerse players pictured on the banner are in the video above. Players can ask questions or leave comments on the EA NHL 25 Forums here. Check out Week 1 of the Double Shift Event here. For more NHL 25 news make sure you bookmark The Hockey News Gaming Site or follow our Google News Feed. For gaming discussion check out our forum.
Forbes
05-05-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Tampa Bay Lightning Hold Heads High Following Season Of ‘110 Percent Buy-In'
SUNRISE, FL - Victor Hedman congratulates goaltender Andrei Vasilevskiy of the Tampa Bay Lightning ... More after the 5-1 win against the Florida Panthers after Game Three of the First Round of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Playoffs at the Amerant Bank Arena on April 26, 2025 in Sunrise, Florida. (Photo by) Victor Hedman had the captain's 'C' sown on his jersey prior to the preseason. Not that serving as a leader, visually or otherwise, was anything new. After all, the towering Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman had been a pillar in the room for the first 15 years of a career that will see the two-time Stanley Cup winner enshrined in the Hockey Hall of Fame. Though Hedman's first season as captain, a role he took on after Steven Stamkos left the club via free agency, concluded with an opening-round playoff defeat to the Florida Panthers for the second straight spring, Tampa Bay was unwavering in its commitment to the lightning bolt on the front of each player's jersey. The examples established by No. 77 were a large reason why. 'This group picked each other up all of the time, and Victor was a big part of that, especially in his first year as captain and taking over for an icon here,' said coach Jon Cooper, during an end-of-season media session at Amalie Arena on May 2. 'His leadership and Ryan (McDonagh), (Nikita) Kucherov and (Brandon) Hagel, you go down the line of guys that were inclusive as a team. There weren't cliques or any of stuff that went on that I have seen in years past. That was not this group. That is why we had the season we did, and I cannot say enough great things about the guys.' Hedman, in a boot after breaking his right foot in Game 4, noted how the team's level of commitment was never in question even after a busy off-season. 'A lot happened last summer and we knew it was going to be a collective effort to replace Stammer and his voice,' said Hedman, who also captained Team Sweden in the 4 Nations Face-Off. 'I think the guys did a phenomenal job all year. The buy-in was 110 percent, which made the job easier for me. Guys stepping it up and being more of a leader themselves." Which is why the sting from this year's early exit was particularly harsh. 'Everybody dialed in, bought in to the system and tried hard,' said Nikita Kucherov, both a Hart Trophy finalist – winner will be announced June 27 – and the league's leading scorer (121 points) for a second straight season. 'We did everything we could and we just came up short. We want to make sure we come back stronger, more experienced and eliminate the mistakes we made this year, learn from that and move forward.' One of the guys who will make sure that happens, given he is re-signed, is Ryan McDonagh. The defenseman, reacquired last summer in a trade with Nashville, won the Cup twice during a previous four-plus season Tampa tenure. He returned to a team that retained a set of core values and a winning culture in the room even as a handful nameplates changed out. 'For our group, we had the buy-in mentality and great attitude of showing up, coming to work every day, accepting your role and doing whatever you can to help the team win,' said McDonagh, the Lightning's Masterton nominee. 'It is up to us as leaders to keep that same culture, that same mentality because that gives you a chance every year.' Such an unwavering culture, such an unwavering attitude is a way of life at 401 Channelside Drive in downtown Tampa. As such, it is clear what is expected of free agents, those acquired in trades and rookies hoping to break through. 'That makes it easier when new guys come to the team,' said McDonagh. 'They feel part of the group. They feel valued. There are no egos in this group. We care about winning and it hurts a ton when we lose.' Whether it is chasing individual statistics or whatever it is that may not be in the best interests of the collective, egos can get in the way and a season can go sideways at any point. Not the 2024-25 Tampa Lightning. Far from it. 'Those can be distractions,' said Cooper, of chasing awards and milestones. 'But for this group, it was all about the team. They looked after themselves, and that's what was great about the group.'
