NHL to once again send players back to Olympics in 2026, but will arena be ready?
Italian officials want to hold the hockey games at brand new 16,000-seat arena in Milan (which is co-hosting along with Cortina d’Ampezzo), but in what’s become a theme of other construction efforts for the 2026 Games, the Italians are doing things at the last minute and better hope no delays occur.
Reports: Florida Panthers Parting Ways With GM
Sunrise It appears the Panthers are heading in a different direction. Moments after the team's season-ending loss in game 4 of their playoff series to the Islanders, multiple reports now say that the team will let go of General Manager Dale Tallon. The Panthers made three playoff appearances during Tallon's ten years in charge. But the team is still in search of its first playoff series victory since 1996. The Panthers lost 5-1 in game 4 against the Islanders on Friday.
Bubble-free life means MLB players, coaches must be careful
PHOENIX Baseball's bubble-free environment is an anomaly as the sports world tries to come back amid the coronavirus pandemic. Arizona Diamondbacks GM Mike Hazen said he'll be constantly reminding everyone in his organization about the delicacy of the current situation. The younger guys that are single that, you know, tend to be a little bit more social, Woodward said. The first step toward a successful season is getting all the players to their home cities. Chicago White Sox GM Rick Hahn said his team's travel department has a busy week ahead, but that they've been planning on this scenario for quite a while.
Premature Panthers play-in preview: NHLs proposed format has Florida among 24 teams returning to hockey
On Friday, the NHLPA Executive Board voted in favor of authorizing further negotiations with NHL executives on a format that would include 24 teams returning to play this season. The remaining 16 teams, eight per conference, would participate in a play-in round, with each series being best-of-five. 7 seed, which, as fate would have it, is a familiar foe in the local lore of recent playoff appearances; the New York Islanders. Florida Panthers coach Joel Quenneville handles bench duties during the first period against the New York Islanders at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on October 12, 2019 in Uniondale, New York. Ross Johnston of the New York Islanders fights with Josh Brown of the Florida Panthers during the third period at NYCB Live's Nassau Coliseum on October 12, 2019 in Uniondale, New York.
Virtual 5K run raises money in times of stay at home
MIAMI BEACH, Fla. – When you think of a 5K that usually means hundreds or even thousands of people up bright and early to run. But with that not being possible due to coronavirus restrictions, the Florida Panthers found a unique way to make it work and raise money for charity. They’ve come up with a special event that brings the community together without actually coming together creating a virtual 5K in a time of social distancing. Former Florida Panthers player Shawn Thornton, who’s now the team’s vice president of business operations, helped set up the virtual 5K run to raise money in the fight against COVID-19 through the Panthers Foundation. The virtual 5K lasts through Monday.
Quenneville, Panthers players agree: Effort level must be better
SUNRISE, Fla. – There is no arguing that Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville knows what he's doing. Lately, it's become more evident that Quenneville feels the effort level from the Panthers, as a whole, needs to be better. "We've had some recent defeats with (our) compete level not at the all-out level, and I think that's what we're looking to reestablish," he said earlier this week. Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville watches during an NHL game against the Boston Bruins, Saturday, Dec. 14, 2019. I think that's the biggest thing, and everything else takes care of itself.
Consistency is key to Panthers success during second half of season
Looking at this Panthers group, however, it seems safe to say that their best hockey is still ahead of them. "We just need to play more consistent, play the same way every night," Panthers winger Frank Vatrano said. "There's games where we've played great and games where we've lagged for over twenty minutes, and it hurts us. Florida Panthers' Keith Yandle is seen during an NHL hockey game against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Tuesday, Dec. 10, 2019. What that ultimately will mean, and where the Panthers will end up, is a script that has yet to be written.
Tight-knit Florida Panthers having fun with giant pucks, sword fighting
Aside from some childish enjoyment over what was literally just an oversized hockey puck, it didn’t seem like anything particularly special. "I guess it's just a weighted, big puck," Yandle said. FRIENDLY SWORDSMANSHIPObservant fans have probably noticed the somewhat different way that Panthers players celebrate victories on the ice. That's right, Panthers players enjoy some playful sword fighting on the ice every time they collect two points. HEY MR. DJFinding the right music for a locker room full of hockey players can be a tricky endeavor.
Chirping the Cats podcast: Episode 7 - Dec. 7, 2019
SUNRISE, Fla. – On Episode 7 of Chirping the Cats, Florida Panthers top line winger Jonathan Huberdeau joins host David Dwork for a chat about playing Joel Quenneville, Huby growing up as a Panthers player and much more! David also gets into some key elements of Florida’s season, which is nearing the 30-game mark. SUBSCRIBE TO THE CTC PODCAST - iOS | Android1:00 – Odd-man rushes2:50 – Gap control5:20 – Defense a 5-man game6:00 – Florida's aggressive defense7:20 – High-scoring Panthers8:20 – Jonathan Huberdeau interview9:20 – Playing for Joel Quenneville10:05 – Learning Q's system11:30 – Different start to the season, not falling behind12:45 – Playing best hockey of his career13:45 – Balancing passing and shooting15:30 – Growing up with Panthers core guys17:30 – Amazing linemates over the years19:10 – Leaders/coaches that have stood out
Panthers goalie Chris Driedger gets real after picking up shutout in first NHL start
Young, journeyman goaltender Chris Driedger had just completed his first NHL start, called up days earlier by the Florida Panthers. Florida Panthers goaltender Chris Driedger is introduced before an NHL hockey game against the Nashville Predators, Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019. Not only had Driedger just won his first start in the National Hockey League, but he did so without giving up a single goal. Quenneville wouldn’t say whether Driedger had earned himself another start when Florida hosts the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. Florida Panthers goaltender Chris Driedger defends the goal as defenseman Mike Matheson and Nashville Predators center Craig Smith fight for the puck on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2019.
Panthers enjoying holiday week in unusual place: a playoff spot
CORAL SPRINGS, Fla. – Over the past two-plus decades, Florida Panthers hockey and Thanksgiving have not been an ideal pairing. Panthers fans have rarely had the opportunity to sit around the Thanksgiving table and discuss how good their hockey team is playing. Florida heads into Turkey Day with a solid 12-7-5 record, good for second place in the crowded Atlantic Division; only four points separate the Panthers and sixth place Buffalo. For a few weeks, it looked like Florida's overall defensive play was beginning to really tighten up. "Whether it's in the neutral zone or our rush game, I think we’re giving too much off the rush," Quenneville said.
Confident, resilient Panthers continue defying odds with miraculous comebacks
SUNRISE, Fla. – There was never any doubt that the Florida Panthers were capable of more than what they'd accomplished in recent years. (AP Photo/Brynn Anderson)It's clear that the Panthers are a team that is still figuring things out. Florida Panthers center Jonathan Huberdeau smiles after scoring in overtime against the Colorado Avalanche on Wednesday, Oct. 30, 2019. UNCHARTED TERRITORYThere is something quite different about this Panthers team. “We’ve had a few good comebacks over the years, but a team this good, doing it consecutive weeks, it’s unheard of.”
Florida Panthers ask for $86 million bailout to help pay for rent at BB&T Center
SUNRISE, Fla. – The Florida Panthers faced some high stakes Tuesday; not on the ice, but at Broward County Hall. With opposition building against the Florida Panthers' request for $86 million for free rent at the county-owned BB&T Center in Sunrise, a majority of county commissioners made it clear at a workshop meeting Tuesday that they're in favor of a major public giveaway to the hockey team. "If the Panthers leave and there is no professional sports team as a tenant then the value plummets," Kiar said. "I'm leaning somewhere between $4 million and $5.6 million," Sharief said. "My understanding of a partnership is there is a sharing of the responsibility, a sharing of the profits," Ryan said.