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The Province
an hour ago
- Sport
- The Province
No bigger winner in the business of sport this week than the Florida Panthers
Florida Panthers centre Brad Marchand skates with the Stanley Cup after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the Cup Final on June 17 in Sunrise, Fla. Photo by Lynne Sladky / AP On this first day of summer and longest day of sunshine of the year in the Northern Hemisphere, there's plenty to be bullish about in the business of sport, beginning with the two words 'Game 7' in the NBA, where the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Indiana Pacers will play for all of the marbles on Sunday. 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. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles by top sports columnists Patrick Johnston, Ben Kuzma, J.J. Abrams and others. Plus, Canucks Report, Sports and Headline News newsletters and events. Unlimited online access to The Province and 15 news sites with one account. The Province ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles and comics, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. 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 The NHL fell short at six games in its Stanley Cup Final this spring after watching the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers go the distance 12 months ago in their first of back-to-back showdowns. That was the 18th Cup Final Game 7 over the course of 83 years, with the previous final series maximum having been reached when the St. Louis Blues won their first Cup in franchise history, beating the Boston Bruins in 2019. The Association, on the other hand, is playing an NBA Finals Game 7 for the first time in nine years, when LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers outlasted Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors in 2016. Moreover, the NBA is in one of those scenarios where they'll have a compelling storyline and first-time champion, either way. That won't fully mitigate against the small-market matchup when it comes to TV ratings, but it will at least make the most of the showdown between the 25th biggest TV market in the U.S. (Indianapolis) and the 47th largest (OKC). Essential reading for hockey fans who eat, sleep, Canucks, repeat. 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. It was also a bullish week for emerging sport business tycoon Mark Walter, who announced that he will be adding the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA to his impressive list of sport properties, one that has featured the defending World Series-champion Los Angeles Dodgers since 2012. The deal between Walter, who is building on a personal net worth that was estimated at US$6.1 billion in February, and the longtime Buss family ownership group values the Lakers at US$10 billion, a record franchise transaction in North American pro sport. Walter's reach and influence also extends to Chelsea of the Premier League of English soccer, a stake in Strasbourg of the French Ligue 1, Cadillac Formula One, and single-entity governance and ownership of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Yet there was no bigger winner in the business of sport this week than owner Vinnie Viola and his Panthers, who won their second consecutive Cup title in their third straight trip to the championship series. The dominant performance by the Paul Maurice-coached Panthers inspired many to begin referring to them as a dynasty, suggesting that two wins in three finals in the salary cap era at least rivals three or four straight titles in the years before payroll restrictions and the resulting competitive parity were introduced in to the NHL more than 20 years ago. It's an impressive achievement, not only for the Panthers, but also for the sunbelt hockey strategy deployed as part of NHL commissioner Gary Bettman's more than 30-year tenure. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It marks the sixth straight year in which the Cup has gone through the state of Florida, with two wins and three trips through Tampa Bay 2020-22 and the same through Sunrise, Fla., 2023-25. It's a remarkable evolution as well for a team that has spent much of its history with among the lowest attendance in the NHL. The Panthers have nowhere near the profile of a Canadian-based market, but give credit where credit is due: They're run by a highly respected hockey operations department that does much more than simply benefit from zero state income tax provisions in Florida. Bears of the week The FIFA 2026 World Cup — now less than a year away — will be a huge success played before sellouts throughout its three host countries of the U.S., Mexico and Canada. That doesn't change the fact that the Cup hasn't made quite the same dent, at least so far, on attendance and fan engagement in the American stadiums that are hosting it. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Fast-forward eight to 12 years and the global club championship will be better understood. Consider these growing pains for an event that just a few years ago was played under more of a 'final four' format, not a 32-team competition spanning all six continents. Tom Mayenknecht is the host of The Sport Market on Sportsnet 650 on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Vancouver-based sport business commentator and principal in Emblematica Brand Builders provides a behind-the-scenes look at the sport business stories that matter most to fans. Follow Mayenknecht at: Read More
Yahoo
5 hours ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Connor McDavid Is Pissed Off Now, Watch Out NHL
EDMONTON – The best players are the best players for a reason. And make no mistake about it, Connor McDavid of the Edmonton Oilers is one of the best ever to play the game. Bookmark The Hockey News Edmonton Oilers team site to never miss the latest news, game-day coverage, and more. Sadly, many hockey pundits might not put him as high on their all-time lists because the hardest trophy to win in hockey continues to elude him. Advertisement If the Stanley Cup Final thought us anything, it's that skill alone can't crack the code. Heart, grit, and tenacity can make the world of a difference in the playoffs. In his post-game scrum for Game 6 of the Cup Final, McDavid seemed more agitated than usual. Several insiders have expressed that the general mood of the Oilers following another loss in the Final is one of anger. Trending Oilers Stories Buy Out or Trade: What Can The Oilers Do With Darnell Nurse? - Community Post Buy Out or Trade: What Can The Oilers Do With Darnell Nurse? - Community Post Should the Edmonton Oilers trade or buy out Darnell Nurse? 4 Potential Oilers Buy-Outs And What They'd Look Like Oilers Now Have Blueprint For Cap-Clearing Trade Advertisement EXCLUSIVE: Mark Messier On Oilers, Budweiser, His Future & More 'I Wouldn't Ask For A Better Captain': Oilers' Kris Knoblauch, Corey Perry & Darnell Nurse On McDavid's Unique Leadership Oilers Connor McDavid Now Reaching New Heights Oilers Connor McDavid Now Reaching New Heights EDMONTON – Greatness. The NHL isn't ready for an angry McDavid. The last time that McDavid was angry during the offseason, he exploded back onto the scene by throwing 118 hits in 76 games. During that 2023-24 season, the Oilers had a turbulent year, culminating in their first trip to the Cup Final as a group. This past season, he only registered 41 hits, which is his lowest total since the 2019-20 season. Harnessing his anger is one advantage that McDavid can have over his opponents. I wouldn't be surprised if he has a renewed determination to be physical next season. The Main Lesson McDavid Will Take Away From This Defeat If there is any takeaway from this year's loss to the Florida Panthers it's this: you need to be relentless. Advertisement This truly describes McDavid's personality. He's not as vocal as other players, but that doesn't make him any less determined. The one area where we could see a big adjustment in McDavid's game is on the defensive side of the puck. He's already a player who can play good defense. I believe that he will be motivated to take his game up a notch in that capacity. Everyone knows that McDavid's speed sets him apart from everyone else in the league. What if he used that speed to be the most relentless forechecker ever seen in the NHL? That's a scary thought for any team that plays against them. Connor McDavid (Sergei Belski-Imagn Images) But that's the kind of thing that he can add to his game to not only become a more complete player, but also set an example that the rest of his team will follow. If the player, the captain of the team and the guy who can score 60 goals and 100 assists, if that guy is relentless on the forecheck, forcing turnovers left, right, and center, every other player on the team will feel the pressure to play the same way. Advertisement While McDavid isn't happy to be in this position, this lesson he has learned will be the most crucial one to finally hoisting the one trophy he wants more than any other. He is truly one of the greatest to ever play, and doing this will only solidify that. Add us to your Google News favourites, and never miss a story.
Time of India
a day ago
- Business
- Time of India
NHL trade rumor: Edmonton Oilers eye bold eight-year deal in less than 24 hours after Stanley Cup loss
Edmonton Oilers during Game Five of the 2025 NHL Stanley Cup Final (Credit: Getty Images) The Edmonton Oilers were eliminated from the Stanley Cup Final barely a day ago, but they are already shifting focus to offseason business. According to reports from Andy Strickland of FanDuel Sports Network and Jim Matheson of the Edmonton Journal, the Oilers are in advanced talks to sign forward Trent Frederic to an eight-year contract extension. The deal is expected to carry an average annual value around $4 million. It's a bold move, considering Frederic's limited impact during the postseason and the fact that the Oilers have major cap decisions looming. Frederic played in 22 playoff games but produced just one goal and four points. Salary cap implications of Frederic deal raise eyebrows Edmonton currently holds just under $12 million in cap space, with 19 players signed for next season. With restricted free agent Evan Bouchard likely to command a sizeable raise and captain Connor McDavid eligible for an extension soon, dedicating a large portion of cap room to a bottom-six forward like Frederic has sparked debate. Frederic is coming off a two-year, $4.6 million deal with a $2.3 million cap hit. If the rumored extension at $4 million AAV materializes, it would represent a significant raise for a player projected to fill a third-line role. His best season came with Boston in 2023-24, where he notched 18 goals and 40 points. Stan Bowman wastes no time reshaping Oilers roster This deal could be the first domino in what promises to be a pivotal offseason for the Oilers. The decision to jump on a max-term agreement with Frederic so soon after the Stanley Cup loss signals urgency from management to define the team's direction before free agency opens on July 1. Read more: NHL trade rumor: Mika Zibanejad's New York Rangers future sparks chatter after Irma Zibanejad calls out false reports As the Oilers regroup from their Cup Final disappointment, all eyes will be on whether Bowman's gamble on Frederic is a savvy long-term investment or a premature commitment that limits future flexibility. Game On Season 1 kicks off with Sakshi Malik's inspiring story. Watch Episode 1 here
Yahoo
a day ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Caitlin Clark Has $500,000 on Her Mind
Caitlin Clark Has $500,000 on Her Mind originally appeared on Athlon Sports. Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever are on the brink of winning their first title. This comes in the form of the Commissioner's Cup championship, for which they secured a spot after their 88-71 win against the Connecticut Sun on Tuesday. Advertisement With their victory against Connecticut, the Fever were able to win the Eastern Conference with a 4-1 record. They are now set to face the defending champions, the Minnesota Lynx, in the Commissioner's Cup Final on July 1. Apart from winning their first piece of silverware, Indiana will also be playing for the $500,000 prize pool. That's roughly $45,000 in each of the participating players' pockets, on top of the $5,000 cryptocurrency prize from Coinbase. Following Tuesday's win over the Sun, Clark spoke honestly about the upcoming Final. The 23-year-old also admitted that playing for half a million dollars serves as pretty good motivation for her and her team. 'Obviously, we're excited. That's a big deal,' Clark said, via Chloe Peterson of IndyStar. 'And, you know, obviously New York helped us out a little bit to get there. Advertisement "And it's a hard thing to do, and why wouldn't we celebrate that we're getting to play for a pool of money, like, that's pretty fun, and you're competing to win a trophy. Indiana Fever guard Caitlin Clark in the second half against the Connecticut Ruszkowski-Imagn Images "It's an extra game for us to get better as well. So obviously, we celebrated it, and we're proud of that.' It won't be an easy task for Indiana, though. Standing in their way is reigning Commissioner's Cup MVP Napheesa Collier and the Lynx, who own the best record in the WNBA right now at 11-1. The Cup Final on July 1 will be the first meeting between these two sides this season. It's the Lynx who won their season series last year, 2-1, and Minnesota is very likely going to be the favorites entering the upcoming championship game. Advertisement Related: Sophie Cunningham Draws Strong Reactions From Fever Fans After WNBA Punishment Related: WNBA Makes Caitlin Clark Announcement After Fever-Sun Game Related: Fever Coach Stephanie White Reveals Concerning Update on Tuesday This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Stanley Cup Final: Florida Panthers, Matthew Tkachuk can repeat with 1 more win vs. Edmonton
FORT LAUDERDALE — The playoffs were about to begin, and among the many reasons Paul Maurice had to feel good about his Florida Panthers was the one variable coaches can't control. 'We were healthy,' Maurice said. Advertisement Check that. 'Matthew was the only question mark,' he said. Forward Matthew Tkachuk, it turns out, was a bigger question mark than some thought. He suffered a groin injury in the Four Nations Face-Off that ended his regular season in February — but revealed on the eve of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final against the visiting Edmonton Oilers just how close he came to not being available at least when the playoffs began. 'I did not think I was going to be playing,' Tkachuk said before correcting himself. 'I shouldn't say that. I thought there was maybe a 50 percent chance I wouldn't be playing as close to about a week or five days before the playoffs.' Matthew Tkachuk on hot line with Sam Bennett and Evan Rodrigues Jun 12, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) celebrates scoring during the first period against the Edmonton Oilers in game four of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images If the Panthers clinch their second consecutive Stanley Cup with a victory, it would not be because Tkachuk played a minor role. Tkachuk has two goals and three assists in the past three games, playing on a red-hot line with Sam Bennett, who leads the NHL in playoff goals with 15, and Evan Rodrigues (15 points). Tkachuk and Bennett are tied for fourth in postseason scoring with 22 points in 22 games. Advertisement Of course with Tkachuk it's more than statistics. He's a big part of the heart and soul of the Panthers. He gets under opponents' skin with his spunk. Spunk is what it took for Tkachuk to get back to form. He was limited to less than 12 minutes in his first game back, in the playoffs vs. Tampa Bay. 'Nowhere close to what I expected out of myself,' Tkachuk said. 'Because he played the game with a broken collarbone,' Maurice said. Although Tkachuk had two goals and one assist in that 6-2 victory, Maurice figures it wasn't until the second and third rounds, against Toronto and Carolina, that Tkachuk was Tkachuk. Advertisement 'He had come to full health but there's still the mental part about how far do you want to stress that, taking hits and giving hits and things like that,' Maurice said. Panthers have had mixed luck with close-out games Close-out games like this haven't been kind to the Panthers. They lost three straight close-out opportunities against the Oilers in last year's Cup Final before closing the deal at home. This year, they needed two tries to finish off the Maple Leafs and Hurricanes, losing the first close-out game at home before winning both Game 7s on the road. 'When you're playing a team that their backs are against the wall, it's important to come out with a good start both sides,' Tkachuk said. ' … They're in a different situation right now. I think this is their first elimination game of the playoffs. So that's a different wrinkle for things. And for us, we've played one Game 7. So maybe we have a tiny advantage with knowing the desperation that they're going to come out with. But we have to match that desperation.' Advertisement Maurice sounds understanding as to why Florida needed multiple tries to close out those series, although he could do without flying back to Edmonton for another Game 7 on June 20. 'So you've played well and you've put yourself in a position to eliminate the other team,' Maurice said. 'It's not guaranteed, because the other team is pretty darn good. So there's nothing learned where you'd say, 'OK, now we've figured it out,' because if you figure that out, you'd win next year — you'd win 16 straight, right? It doesn't work like that.' Oilers coach Kris Knoblauch has pushed every button in this series, flip-flopping goaltenders Stuart Skinner and Calvin Pickard and mixing up his lines. Some of it worked. Some. Oilers star Conner McDavid has played 12 playoff games against the Panthers these past two seasons. He has scored in only three of them, a total of four goals. He has one goal and six assists in this series. Advertisement 'He's probably the best player of our generation,' Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov said. 'So you have to be aware of him every single time he's on the ice and you have to try and take the space away from him.' But even when McDavid isn't scoring, the Panthers see the Oilers as a threat. Florida took a quick 3-0 lead at home in Game 4 but ended up losing 5-4 in overtime on a goal by Leon Draisaitl, who joins him atop the NHL postseason scoring list with 33 points. Maurice called the Oilers 'the most dangerous team in the National Hockey League' under normal conditions. So if they should find themselves trailing in what could be the final game of the Stanley Cup Final? 'Their risk profile changes,' Maurice said. 'When they're down a goal or two, they are incredibly hard to handle.' Advertisement One more victory would give Tkachuk the option of repeating one of the more unique Stanley Cup celebrations. Last year he took the trophy for a swim off Fort Lauderdale Beach. 'There's no secret the Cup's in the building,' Tkachuk said. 'It's going to be the toughest test, the biggest game.' Florida Panthers just one win away from repeating as champs after Game 5 win: Recap How does Brad Marchand's Stanley Cup Final performance stack up with other Miami stars? This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Stanley Cup Final: Matthew Tkachuk, Florida Panthers can finish Oilers at home
