For back-to-back champ Panthers, the celebrations will continue before an important offseason begins
SUNRISE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Panthers' Stanley Cup championship festivities have included an all-night celebration at a popular beach bar; crowd surfing, pole climbing and impromptu karaoke at a Miami nightclub; a Brad Marchand appearance at Dairy Queen; a few team dinners and a boat ride.
That's just so far. They insist they've got more in them.
'We're not toning it down,' defenseman Aaron Ekblad said. 'We just won two Stanley Cups in a row. We deserve to have a good time.'
The Panthers also partied hard after winning the franchise's first title a year ago. But some players have described those days as a surreal whirlwind of first-time experiences. This time around, the celebrations are different, as the reality of what they accomplished set in.
'There's a different feeling to it,' coach Paul Maurice said during the team's exit interviews on Saturday. 'Last year was more of a dream. ... That's the right word. It was a dream come true. It was euphoric. This year, it was an achievement. It was hard. It was hard all year. It was hard at camp. There were just so many places that if we had broken at that point or failed we would've all understood — 'OK, we did our best. We just couldn't get it done.' We never let that happen.'
The coaches' celebrations, Maurice noted, have been much more subdued compared to last year: They had their first post-championship dinner as a staff Friday night. They joined some players on a boat ride.
'I haven't had a hangover yet,' Maurice said, 'so way ahead of where I was last year.'
Maurice heard about his players' celebrations from his wife, who has shown him a few viral social media posts here and there.
Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov said they're giving themselves 'permission' to celebrate more freely this year because they have already been through the experience.
'And don't get me wrong, it's still amazing,' he added, 'but now everyone knows how to sit back a little and enjoy it, because last year was so hectic. Like it happened to you for the first time ever, and you had been dreaming about it for so long.'
The Panthers in fact celebrated so hard that the Stanley Cup itself got a little banged up. The silver chalice that has endured bumps and bruises throughout its 131-year existence was cracked at the bottom of the bowl the night of Florida's clinching Game 6 win over Edmonton, though Barkov noted the team hasn't received any harsh reprimands from the keepers of the Cup or the Hockey Hall of Fame.
'I think they've seen worse,' he quipped. 'I think every year they have to fix some part of it. But yeah, don't be stupid. Don't take it to the ocean, stuff like that. We should know the rules by now.'
The Panthers' championship parade will be on Fort Lauderdale Beach on Sunday — one of their last opportunities to celebrate together before the players disperse for the summer and general manager Bill Zito begins an important offseason.
Free agency begins July 1, and while a good chunk of Florida's core — including Barkov and stars Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Reinhart — are already under long-term contracts, a few key contributors are set for free agency in Marchand, Ekblad and playoff MVP Sam Bennett.
All three players have expressed their desire to stay in Florida.
Bennett, who led all players with 15 postseason goals, said at the Miami nightclub E11even that he's not leaving. Marchand has publicly petitioned Zito to give him a contract.
Ekblad, who was drafted by the Panthers in 2014, said Saturday that his representation has had conversations with the Panthers on a potential deal, but 'nothing material yet.'
'I've spent 11 years here,' Ekblad said. 'It's home, and I expect it to be home.'
Tkachuk, who will play in his fourth season with the Panthers next year, said he believes Florida's window to compete for titles remains wide open, and he hopes to compete with as many pieces from this year's run as possible.
'You're going to have a different roster each and every year,' he said, 'but hopefully the core of guys, we can continue building. With that being said, we've got some unbelievable players that are up for contracts that I hope they get every single cent they can because that's what you want for your best friends. It's time to cash in for some of those boys. Hopefully it's here.'
___
AP NHL: https://apnews.com/hub/nhl
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Taylor Swift surprises patients at Florida children's hospital after Travis Kelce date night
Taylor Swift stopped by Florida's Joe DiMaggio Children's Hospital to surprise patients on Friday following her high-profile date night with Travis Kelce. In a video clip shared to TikTok, the 'Cruel Summer' singer wore a summer-ready sage green Loewe midi dress and chic brown Louis Vuitton sandals while greeting hospital personnel and posing for photos in the lobby. Swift, 35, smiled as the stunned workers applauded and made heart signs. 'Here's who I met while I was in the hospital with my son,' the TikTok user captioned the clip. Meanwhile, on Instagram, pediatric surgeon Jill Whitehouse shared a pic with the pop superstar and thanked her for her visit. 'Chief of Surgery meets Chief of the World!' Whitehouse captioned the photo. 'Undeniably one of the kindest human beings I have ever had the privilege of meeting. Thank you #taylorswift for making dreams come true for all of our patients, families, and staff today!' Instagram user Prince Durocher also shared heartwarming pics of his daughter's 'special visit' from the 'Blank Space' songstress during her hospital stay. The grateful parent thanked Swift for taking 'the time out of her busy schedule just to give a personable experience which changed it from something terrifying to a memorable memory that she gets to talk about forever.' In one photo, Swift laughed while visiting with the young patient, and in another, she sat on the hospital bed and posed with her. She also posed with the family and signed an autograph for the patient. In a clip, the singer entered the room and made a beeline to the patient to shake her hand, and inauspiciously introduced herself as 'Taylor.' She also shook hands with other family members, gushing, 'You guys are a gorgeous family. My God, you guys are beautiful!' Mom Ashley Rodriguez also took to the platform to gush over the visit with a photo of her daughter and singer. 'What a much needed surprise for my baby girl,' she wrote via Instagram Stories on Friday, along with a pink heart emoji. Also on Instagram, Daniela Romay shared a pair of photos with her hospital-bound child — including one with Swift. While Romay noted that 'medicine changes' her son's mood and he 'was not happy' during Swift's visit, she expressed gratitude for the chance to meet her. 'Thank you so much to @Jdchospital and @taylorswift for bringing love and 'smiles,' to the kids and families,' she quipped in text written over the pic. 'We need this little breaks [sic]. It means a lot.' Swift's surprise visit to the Florida facility comes a day after she was spotted on a fun date night with Travis Kelce. They attended game four of the Stanley Cup final on Thursday at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla. Kelce is currently in the Sunshine State, where he has rented a luxurious retreat, for offseason training ahead of his 13th NFL season. A source told People on Thursday that Swift is looking forward to the upcoming football season. 'Her schedule is much more open now that the Eras Tour is wrapped, and she's genuinely excited to have the time and flexibility to show up for Travis more consistently,' the insider divulged to the outlet.
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Yahoo
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce are a winning pair on date night at Game 4 of Stanley Cup Final
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce looked like quite the power couple as they were spotted on a date night at Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final. The pair was seen holding hands as they arrived at the Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla., on Thursday night to watch the Edmonton Oilers take on the Florida Panthers for the coveted trophy. The pop star, 35, looked stylish in an Area Crystal Trim Track Jacket ($995) paired with the matching Crystal Trim Track Shorts ($595). She completed the look with the Prada's Buffalo Neoprene Lace Up Chelsea Ankle Boots, which are currently sold out. Meanwhile Kelce, 35, sported a red long-sleeved top and matching shorts. He finished off his look with a pair of red-and-white sneakers and a baseball cap. Once seated, the lovebirds looked cozy as they were shown on the TV broadcast footage chatting while Kelce showed the 'Cruel Summer' singer something on his phone. Swift sipped on a drink with a straw. At one point, the A-list couple stood up to cheer on the game. They beamed while applauding alongside other spectators. Swift and Kelce have been spending time together in Florida while the tight end rents a $20 million mansion in the Sunshine State to prepare for the forthcoming 2025-26 NFL season. The Kansas City Chiefs star reportedly snagged the Boca Raton property in April, bringing along his personal chef and his luxurious car collection. Last month, he went viral when he was seen shirtless shortly after wrapping up an intense workout. Swift and Kelce were first spotted in Florida together on a date night at Harry's in West Palm Beach on May 23. At the time, eyewitnesses caught them getting cozy in a booth. They were also photographed holding hands after dining at Buccan restaurant earlier this month.
Forbes
2 hours ago
- Forbes
Free Agency Nears For McDavid, Oilers May Not Be Able To Stop Him
Connor McDavid is the NHL's best player by a wide margin. (Photo by) Connor McDavid controls the pace of nearly every game he plays with his speed, power and creativity on the ice. He is about to seize control of the way the game is played in the offseason as well. McDavid is about to enter the final season of an eight-year deal that has paid him $12.5 million per season with the Edmonton Oilers. He was the highest paid player in the NHL for the majority of that deal, but teammate Leon Draisaitl signed an extension that pays him $14 million per season. McDavid now has the fifth-most lucrative contract in the league. The Oilers are coming off their second Stanley Cup Finals loss in a row. After pushing the Florida Panthers to seven games in 2024, the Oilers lost to the two-time Stanley Cup champions in six games this time around. Once again, no Canadian team has waltzed around the ice with the Stanley Cup since 1993. That was the last Stanley Cup triumph by the Montral Canadiens and the nation that basically invented and perfected the sport has been shut out for 32 years. Which brings us to McDavid. He has played with the Oilers for 10 seasons and he has not been on the winning side in any year the Stanley Cup has been handed out. As he prepares for the final year of his contract, he is not committed to staying with the Oilers for any more than the upcoming 2025-26 season. This makes the Oilers and their fans uncomfortable. There are many observers who believe it will be just a matter of time before McDavid puts his signature on a new deal with Edmonton and he will stay there throughout his career. Is Stan Bowman capable of building a champion? EDMONTON, CANADA - DECEMBER 5: Stan Bowman presents Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers ... More with a Tiffany Crystal to celebrate his 1000th point prior to the game against the Columbus Blue Jackets at Rogers Place on December 5, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images) t may not be that way. More than anything else, Connor McDavid wants to win a Stanley Cup. He can start talking to Oilers general manager Stan Bowman about a new deal July 1. McDavid is not concerned or overwhelmed by the financial details. He wants to know that there is a plan for Edmonton winning the Stanley Cup -- and do it more than once. He wants to see a viable plan. McDavid is a very serious man. He has not regularly revealed his true nature in press conferences or one-on-ones with media members, but he exploded to his teammates a year ago when they fell behind 2-0 in the Stanley Cup Finals, losing the opening two games in Sunrise, Florida. Cameras caught him demanding a greater effort from his teammates in explicit fashion. While they lost the next game, they rallied to tie the series at 3-3 before they succumbed in Game 7 a year ago. McDavid may not have overwhelming faith in his team, based on the confidence level he is currently at. 'I think so,' McDavid said. 'We still have a lot of confidence and belief. I don't think people thought we were going to make it this far. We believe and we came up just short again.' If Bowman goes into the upcoming negotiations with an aggressive plan to make McDavid the highest paid player in his sport, he will almost certainly lose McDavid. He wants to see a working plan of a man who has the job of bringing the Edmonton franchise multiple Stanley Cups. McDavid will not be bulldozed into signing a contract extension early. Draisaitl was in the same position last year, and he didn't sign his deal until September 3. Draisaitl is a superb scorer and he may be the No. 2 player in the league behind McDavid. But he is not McDavid's equal on the ice. McDavid wants Bowman to show him a worthwhile and sustainable plan that will allow the Oilers to get back to the Stanley Cup Finals and come out with the victory. Telling the world how good the Panthers are is not where McDavid wants to be next year. He wants the Stanley Cup. Bowman may not be up to the task. Going into the offseason, the Oilers will have $12 million in cap space at this point with 39 players under contract. They also have seven who are scheduled to be unrestricted free agents. Bowman is going to have to get very creative if he is going to bring the Stanley Cup to Edmonton. The son of record-setting Stanley Cup-winning head coach Scotty Bowman does not come across as creative or charismatic. His news conferences with the Oilers – and prior to that with the Chicago Blackhawks – are as ho-hum as they get. He is not going to ask McDavid to 'climb on his back' and drive the team to the Stanley Cup. That is not Bowman's style and it will be very difficult to convince McDavid that the Oilers are ever going to get back to the Stanley Cup Finals and raise Lord Stanley's chalice.
