Panther receive Stanley Cup bling

Good morning. The 2024-25 NHL Regular Season is finally upon us!

CAN’T MISS HOCKEY NEWS 🎯

💍 Florida Panthers receive incredible Stanley Cup rings. At a private ceremony, the team, staff, and owners Vincent and Teresa Viola gathered to celebrate last season’s championship, with one rule—everyone had to open their boxes at the same time. The rings, designed by the Violas, feature 617 gemstones and a nod to the Panthers' unique tradition: a rat etched inside the band. Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk was in awe, calling it “incredible,” as the team prepares to raise their championship banner. Read more →

✍️ Toronto Maple Leafs sign forwards Max Pacioretty and Steven Lorentz to one-year contracts for the 2024-25 season after bringing both to training camp on PTOs. Pacioretty, 35, will earn $873,770 with performance bonuses that could push his total to $1.5 million, while Lorentz, 28, will earn $775,000. Pacioretty, a former Montreal Canadiens captain, is coming off a 47-game season with the Washington Capitals, where he posted 23 points. Over his 16-year NHL career, he has 668 points in 902 games. Lorentz, fresh off a Stanley Cup run with the Florida Panthers, scored three points in 38 regular-season games and added three more in the playoffs. Read more →

✌️ Minnesota Wild secure goaltender Jesper Wallstedt with a two-year, $4.4 million contract extension. The 21-year-old prospect, drafted in the first round in 2021, made three NHL starts last season but spent most of his time in the AHL, posting a 22-19-6 record with a 2.70 GAA and .910 save percentage for the Iowa Wild. Wallstedt will continue to develop behind veteran goalies Marc-Andre Fleury and Filip Gustavsson, though his playing time this season remains uncertain. The Wild may carry three goalies as they open their season at home against Columbus on Thursday. Read more →

POLL 🗳️

ICYMI 🧼

University of Minnesota redshirt senior Abbey Murphy pulled off a filthy penalty shot goal against BU over the weekend!

Pavel Datsyuk would be so proud!

QUICK HITS ⚡️

• James Reimer, Zach Aston-Reese among five claimed off waivers (TSN)

• Connor Bedard hoping to put together big second season with Blackhawks (Sportsnet)

• Sharks Rookie, Macklin Celebrini, Finally Healthy and Set for NHL Debut (Breakaway on SI)

• McAvoy feeling urgency to win Stanley Cup with Bruins (NHL.com)

• Matt Rempe hopes his offseason made him a better fighter and a better player for the Rangers (AP News)

• NCAA expected to consider change that could allow CHL players (ESPN)

COACHES CORNER 🏒

• Sports psychologist discusses Kobe Bryant’s elite mindset (Fred Duncan)

• LOVE these deceptive skating patterns demonstrated by Sabres’ 1st rounder Noah Ostlund (DB Hockey Factory)

TRIVIA 🧠