Golden Knights Add Robert Hagg

     One-time Florida Panthers defenseman Robert Hagg has signed a one-year contract worth $775,000 with the Vegas Golden Knights. He participated in only five NHL games with the Anaheim Ducks last season. 

     Hagg was acquired by the Panthers in March 2022 from the Buffalo Sabres. He had one assist during his 16-game stint with Florida. 

Red Sox Sweep Marlins

     The Boston Red Sox knocked off the Miami Marlins 6-5 in 12 innings at loanDepot park on Thursday. The Red Sox completed a three-game series sweep of the Marlins. The Fish will host the Chicago White Sox this weekend. 

     Boston(47-39) picked up the first run in the contest during the top of the first. Rafael Devers grounded out to first for David Hamilton to score. 

     The Red Sox increased their lead to 2-0 in the sixth inning. Devers again grounded out to first and Hamilton reached home. 

     Miami(30-57) broke up the no-hitter by Boston starting pitcher Nick Pivetta with two outs in the bottom of the seventh. Jesus Sanchez was able to triple into center field. 

     In the eighth inning, the Marlins evened it in 2-2. Jazz Chisholm Jr. knocked in Vidal Brujan on a base hit into right field. Bryan De La Cruz came up next and singled into center field to score Nick Gordon. 

     The Red Sox got two runs in the 11th inning and the Fish matched it. Boston compiled two runs in the top of the 12th and Miami picked up one run in the bottom of the frame. 

Thomas Bryant Re-Signs With Heat

     Miami Heat center Thomas Bryant has agreed to re-sign with the organization. It is a one-year contract for the veteran minimum between him and the club. 

     Bryant joined the Heat for the 2023-24 NBA season. He finished with 5.7 points per game and 3.7 rebounds per game during the campaign. 

Inter Miami CF Bounces Chalotte FC

     Inter Miami CF dropped Chalotte FC 2-1 at Bank Of America Stadium on Wednesday night. It extended their winning streak to four games. 

     The Herons scooted out to a 1-0 lead in the 30th minute of play. Robert Taylor slide in a right-footed shot from seven yards out. 

     Charlotte FC(9-8-5) got their only tally in the contest during the 41st minute. Patrick Agyemang broke down the left side and blasted a 17-yard, right-footed shot. 

     In the second half, Inter Miami CF(14-3-5) made it a 2-1 lead in the 86th minute. Benjamin Cremaschi placed in a shot from eight yards away with his right foot. 

Vladimir Tarasenko Leaves Panthers

     Vladimir Tarasenko has moved on from the Florida Panthers. He has agreed to a two-year contract with the Detroit Red Wings worth $9.5 million. 

     Tarasenko was acquired by the Florida Panthers from the Ottawa Senators on March 6. He gave the Cats six goals and eight assists for 14 points in 18 regular season contests. Tarasenko collected nine points in 24 postseason games and guided the Panthers to their first Stanley Cup in franchise history. 

Josh Mahura Joins Kraken

     Florida Panthers defenseman Josh Mahura is off to the Seattle Kraken. He has signed a one-year deal that is worth $775,000. 

     Mahura spent the last two seasons with the Panthers. He ended up with nine assists in 30 games with the team in 2023-24.     

Red Sox Take Down Marlins

     The Boston Red Sox pulled away from the Miami Marlins 7-2 on Wednesday night at loanDepot park. It was the second contest of a three-game series between both teams. 

     In the first inning, Miami(30-56) scooted out to a 1-0 advantage. The Red Sox leaped over them in the fourth inning. 

     Boston(46-39) made it 3-1 during the top of the seventh. They piled on four runs in the top of the ninth inning for a 7-1 lead. 

Florida Panthers Extend Anton Lundell

     Florida Panthers center Anton Lundell will be staying with the club for a very long time. The club signed the restricted free agent to a six-year contract worth $30 million. 

     Lundell has been with the team since the 2021-22 season. He has helped the Panthers win a Stanley Cup in 2024, two Eastern Conference titles, two Atlantic Division crowns and a Presidents' Trophy over the past three seasons. 

     He posted 13 goals and 22 assists for 35 points in 78 regular season games last season during their championship campaign. Lundell chalked up 17 points in 24 games in the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. He has compiled 112 points in 216 contests with the franchise. 

Riley Stillman In Carolina

     Former Florida Panthers defenseman Riley Stillman is joining another NHL club. He has inked a two-way, one-year contract worth $775,000 with the Carolina Hurricanes. His father Cory Stillman once played and won a Stanley Cup with the Canes. 

     Stillman was with the Panthers for three seasons from 2018-19 to 2020-21. He chalked up five assists in 43 contests while in Florida. 

Panthers Getting Nate Schmidt

     The Florida Panthers are signing defenseman Nate Schmidt. It is a one-year contract worth around $800,000. 

     Schmidt has played the past three seasons with the Winnipeg Jets. He had two goals and 12 assists for 14 points in 63 games last season. 

Red Sox Bust Marlins

     The Boston Red Sox canned the Miami Marlins 8-3 at loanDepot park on Tuesday night. The Marlins began a six-game homestand against American League opponents. 

     Boston(45-39) sprinted out with two runs in the top of the first. The Red Sox made it 5-0 with three more runs during the fourth inning. 

     Miami(30-55) broke up the shutout in the bottom of the fifth with one run. Both teams scored two runs in the seventh inning for a Boston 7-3 lead. 

Scripps Sports New Florida Panthers Television Home

     The Florida Panthers will have a new home for their television broadcasts beginning next season. E.W. Scripps Co. and Scripps Sports acquired the television broadcast rights of the team with a multi-year agreement. Panthers contests will air on WSFL-TV Channel 39 in Miami, WHDT-TV Channel 9 in West Palm Beach and a yet to be named television station in Fort Myers. 

     Bally Sports Florida held the Florida Panthers television rights until the end of the 2023-24 NHL season. The conflict involving Diamond Sports Group with National Hockey League teams has been the main problem since last year. Comcast cable systems in South Florida had not carried Bally Sports Florida with Florida Panthers programming since May 1. 

     It is unknown who will work as on-air talent on the new Florida Panthers game telecasts. Bally Sports Florida had Steve Goldstein as play-by-play announcer, Randy Moller as game analyst, Katie Engleson as rinkside reporter, Jessica Blaylock along with Craig Minervini as studio analysts and Ed Jovanovski along with Jeff Chychrun as studio analysts. 

     It was the policy of Bally Sports Florida and its predecessor Fox Sports Florida to make the hiring decisions concerning on-air talent. The Florida Panthers organization would then need to approve these decisions. 

Florida Panthers 2024-25 Schedule

     The Florida Panthers released their 2024-25 regular season schedule on Tuesday. The Panthers will get to defend their Stanley Cup title during the campaign. 

     The Panthers will open the season at home versus the Boston Bruins on October 8. There will be a pregame ceremony to raise the 2024 Stanley Cup championship banner to the rafters of Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise. The B's will return later in the campaign on January 11. 

     The Panthers will challenge their Atlantic Division foes four times in the regular season. The Boston Bruins, Tampa Bay Lightning, Detroit Red Wings, Toronto Maple Leafs, Montreal Canadiens and Buffalo Sabres will visit South Florida two times. The Ottawa Senators will be here once. The Panthers will host their cross-state rivals the Tampa Bay Lightning on December 23 and March 3. 

     Florida will play against Metropolitan Division clubs three times during the regular season. The New York Rangers, New Jersey Devils, Pittsburgh Penguins and Carolina Hurricanes will show up twice. The New York Islanders, Philadelphia Flyers, Washington Capitals and Columbus Blue Jackets will appear once. 

     The Cats will face each Western Conference team once at home and once on the road. The 2024 Western Conference champions the Edmonton Oilers will appear in Sunrise on February 27. Former Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour returns along with the Seattle Kraken on February 22. The Utah Hockey Club will be in Florida on March 28. 

     The Dallas Stars will not make a visit to South Florida for the upcoming season. The Panthers clash with the Stars in the 2024 NHL Global Series. It will be held in Tampere, Finland on November 1 and November 2. It is the hometown of Florida Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. 

James Reimer Shuffles To Sabres

     Former Florida Panthers goalie James Reimer has landed with the Buffalo Sabres. He has signed a one-year contract that is worth $1 million. Reimer left the Detroit Red Wings and will suit up for his sixth NHL team. 

     Reimer played with the Panthers for three seasons as the club missed the postseason from 2016-17 to 2018-19. He had a 53-42-16 record along with a .912 save percentage and a 2.85 goals-against-average during 123 games in Florida. 

Vinnie Hinostroza In Nashville

     One-time Florida Panthers center Vinnie Hinostroza will continue in the NHL. He has agreed to a two-year deal with the Nashville Predators. 

     Hinostroza participated with the Pittsburgh Penguins last season and had three points in 14 contests. He was with the Panthers in 2020-21 and had no points in nine games. 

Rangers Sign Casey Fitzgerald

     The New York Rangers have signed defenseman Casey Fitzgerald to a two-year contract worth $1.550 million. He is the cousin of Florida Panthers right wing Matthew Tkachuk.

     Fitzgerald was in the Panthers organization for the past two seasons. He spent the 2023-24 season with the Charlotte Checkers and played in 69 games. Fitzgerald participated in four contests with Florida in 2022-23 after being acquired from the Buffalo Sabres. 

Lucas Carlsson Gone From Panthers

     Defenseman Lucas Carlsson is no longer in the Florida Panthers organization. He has inked a two-way, two-year contract worth $1.6 million with the San Jose Sharks. 

     Carlsson spent the entire 2023-24 campaign with the Panthers AHL affiliate the Charlotte Checkers. He played 42 games on the NHL level with the Panthers in 2021-22 and 2022-23. 

Jazz Waive Omer Yurtseven

     The Utah Jazz have waived center Omer Yurtseven. He was with the Jazz for 48 games last season and averaged 4.4 points per game along with 4.3 rebounds per game. 

     Yurtseven spent two seasons with the Miami Heat prior to his arrival in Utah. He participated in 65 games in Miami and averaged 5.2 points per game. He helped the Heat win the 2023 Eastern Conference title. 

Heat Sign Players To Contracts

     The Miami Heat signed players to two-way contracts. It was the first day of the NBA free agency period. 

     Miami signed guard Dru Smith, forward Keshad Johnson and guard Zyon Pullin. Smith played nine games with the Heat last season. Johnson was with the University of Ariona while Pullin spent 2023-24 with the University of Florida. 

Panthers Add Jesper Boqvist

     The Florida Panthers increased their roster with the signing of center Jesper Boqvist to a one-year contract that is worth $775,000. It completed the first day for the Panthers in the free agency period. 

     Boqvist was with the New Jersey Devils in his first four NHL seasons. He compiled 14 points in 47 games with the Boston Bruins last season. 

Chris Driedger Returns To Panthers

     Former Florida Panthers goalie Chris Driedger has returned to the Cats for a second stint. He has agreed to a one-year deal. 

     Driedger spent two seasons with the Panthers from 2020-21 to 2021-22 as a backup goalie to Sergei Bobrovsky. He had a 21-8-4 record, .931 save percentage and a 2.07 goals-against-average in 34 games with the club. His success got him selected by the Seattle Kraken in the 2021 expansion draft. 

Jakob Chychrun Traded To Capitals

     Boca Raton native Jakob Chychrun has been traded by the Ottawa Senators to the Washington Capitals. Chychrun once played hockey locally with the Junior Everblades and the Florida Panthers Junior Club. 

     He spent the first seven NHL seasons with the Arizona Coyotes. Chychrun was with the Senators since March 2023. 

Shayne Gostisbehere Returning To Carolina

     Shayne Gostisbehere will be returning to the Carolina Hurricanes for a second stint with that club as a defenseman signing a three-year deal at $9.6 million. He played last season with the Detroit Red Wings and had 56 points in 81 games. 

     Gostisbehere, who played with the Florida Panthers Junior team along with Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School for a couple of years, entered the NHL with the Philadelphia Flyers and stayed there for seven seasons. He followed that with almost two complete seasons with the Arizona Coyotes. Gostisbehere was traded to the Hurricanes and compiled 10 points in 23 contests. 

Joel Quenneville Reinstated

     Former Florida Panthers head coach Joel Quenneville has been reinstated by the National Hockey League and are now eligible for employment. He was suspended by Commissioner Gary Bettman and the league due to his role in the 2010 sexual assault scandal while the head coach of the Chicago Blackhawks. Quenneville captured three Stanley Cup titles with the Blackhawks in 2010, 2013 and 2015. 

     Quenneville joined the Florida Panthers as their new head coach on April 9, 2019. He led the Cats to the playoffs for the first time in four years during the pandemic season of 2019-20. The Cats returned to the postseason in 2020-21. Quenneville resigned as the Panthers head coach on October 28, 2021. Florida began the season with a 7-0-0 record, their best start in franchise history.  

Panthers Ink A.J. Greer

     The Florida Panthers have added one more player to their roster during free agency. They have signed left wing A.J. Greer to a two-year contract worth $17 million. 

     Greer has made several stops in the NHL which includes the Colorado Avalanche, New Jersey Devils, Boston Bruins and Calgary Flames. He marked down six goals and six assists for 12 points in 59 contests with the Flames last season. 

Alexander Wennberg Travels To San Jose

     One-time Florida Panthers center Alexander Wennberg heads for the San Jose Sharks on a two-year deal at $10 million. He split his time last season between the Seattle Kraken and the New York Rangers. 

     Wennberg was with Florida for one season in 2020-21. He finished with 17 goals and 12 assists for 29 points during 56 games with the Panthers. 

Jonathan Marchessault Heads To Predators

     Former Florida Panthers forward Jonathan Marchessault has joined the Nashville Predators. He has inked a five-year contract worth $27.5 million. 

     Marchessault was with the Golden Knights since their inaugural season in 2017-18. He captured two Western Conference championships and a Stanley Cup title with them. Marchessault was awarded the Conn Smythe Trophy in the 2023 Stanley Cup Final. 

     He was with the Panthers for only one season in 2015-16 and helped them win the Atlantic Division title. Marchessault had an impressive campaign with 30 goals and 21 assists for 51 points in 75 games. He was exposed by Panthers general manager Dale Tallon in the expansion draft and taken by Vegas in June 2017. 

Mike Reilly Remaining With Islanders

     New York Islanders defenseman Mike Reilly will be staying with the New York Islanders. He has agreed to a one-year contract that is worth $1.25 million. 

     Reilly began the 2023-24 campaign with the Florida Panthers and played in two games. He was placed on waivers and picked up by the Islanders on November 25. 

Reilly Smith Traded To Rangers

     One-time Florida Panthers left wing Reilly Smith has been traded by the Pittsburgh Penguins to the New York Rangers for two draft picks. Smith won a Stanley Cup title with the Vegas Golden Knights in 2023 and participated last season with the Penguins. 

     Smith was with the Panthers for two seasons from 2015-16 to 2016-17. He ended up with 40 goals and 47 assists for 87 points in 162 contests with Florida. 

Islanders Pick Up Anthony Duclair

     Former Florida Panthers left wing is on the move again. He has signed with the New York Islanders a four-year contract worth $14 million. It will be his fourth NHL club in the last three seasons. 

     Duclair was once with the Panthers for three seasons from 2020-21 to 2022-23. He compiled 43 goals and 56 assists for 99 points in 137 games with the Cats. 

Rasmus Asplund In Panthers System

     Florida Panthers forward Rasmus Asplund with be staying in the Florida Panthers organization. He has agreed to a two-way, one-year deal worth $775,000. 

     Asplund did not reach the National Hockey League in 2023-24. He was with the Panthers AHL affiliate the Charlotte Checkers and had 44 points in 67 games.

Ryan Lomberg Moves To Flames

     Florida Panthers left wing Ryan Lomberg has left the club. He has signed a two-year contract worth $4 million with the Calgary Flames. It will be his second stint with Calgary. 

     Lomberg has played the past four seasons with the Florida Panthers. He had 28 goals and 21 assists for 49 points in 246 games with the organization. Lomberg was a catalyst during his time in Florida which led to a Stanley Cup title in 2024. 

Bucks Get Delon Wright

     Delon Wright has landed with the Milwaukee Bucks on a one-year deal worth $3.3 million. He finished off a short stint with the Miami Heat. 

     Wright was picked up by the Heat after he was waived by the Washington Wizards. He participated in just 14 games with Miami and averaged 5.5 points per game. 

Tomas Nosek Inks With Panthers

     Tomas Nosek is joining the Florida Panthers. He has agreed to a one-year contract with the Cats worth $775,000. 

     Nosek was with the New Jersey Devils during the 2023-24 campaign and compiled six points in 36 games. He previously had stints with the Detroit Red Wings, Vegas Golden Knights and Boston Bruins. 

Kevin Stenlund Lands In Utah

     Florida Panthers right wing Kevin Stenlund is no longer with the organization. He is joining the Utah Hockey Club on a two-year contract at $4 million. 

     Stenlund was picked as a free agent by the Cats in July 2023. He finished with 11 goals and four assists for 15 points in 81 games with the Panthers during the regular season on his way to a Stanley Cup title. 

Kevin Connauton Off To Utah

     One-time Florida Panthers defenseman Kevin Connauton will be joining another team. He has inked a two-way, two-year contract worth $1.550 million with the Utah Hockey Club. 

     Connauton was with Florida for two seasons in 2020-21 and 2021-22. He chalked up one point in 20 contests with the Panthers. 

Anthony Stolarz Ends In Toronto

     Goalie Anthony Stolarz has moved on from the Florida Panthers. He has signed a two-year contract with the Toronto Maple Leafs worth $4 million. 

     Storlarz spent just one season with the Panthers as their backup goalie behind Sergei Bobrovsky. He ended up with a 16-7-2 record with two shutouts, 2.03 goals-against-average and a .925 save percentage in 27 regular season contests during 2023-24. 

Oliver Ekman-Larsson Goes To Maple Leafs

     Florida Panthers defenseman Oliver Ekman-Larsson has left the club. He has signed a four-year contract worth $14 million with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

     Ekman-Larsson signed a one-year deal as a free agent with the Panthers in July 2023. He had nine goals and 23 assists for 32 points in 80 games with the team last season. Ekman-Larrson spent 11 seasons with the Phoenix/Arizona Coyotes and two seasons with the Vancouver Canucks prior to his arrival in South Florida. 

Florida Panthers Opening Night Set

     The National Hockey League announced the contests for opening night to begin the 2024-25 regular season. The Florida Panthers will be involved in one of three contests to be held on October 8. 

     Florida will have their season opener at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise against the Boston Bruins. The Panthers will have a pregame ceremony to raise their 2023-24 Stanlcy Cup Champion banner to the rafters. 

     The Cats and the Bruins have created a great Atlantic Division rivalry over the past two seasons. The Panthers overtook the B's in the final two regular season games in 2023-24 to take the Atlantic Division title. Florida upset the Bruins, who won the Presidents' Trophy and best regular season in NHL history, in 2023 during the first round coming back from a 3-1 game deficit to win the series. The Panthers knocked off Boston in the Eastern Conference Semifinals in six games during the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs. 

Brandon Montour Leaves Florida Panthers

     Florida Panthers defenseman Brandon Montour will not be returning to the team. He will sign a seven-year contract with the Seattle Kraken worth $50 million. 

     Montour was with the Panthers for the past four seasons. He was acquired from the Buffalo Sabres in April 2021. Montour contributed to the team winning two Atlantic Division titles, one Presidents' Trophy, two Eastern Conference crowns and a Stanley Cup championship. 

     He had his best season with Florida in 2022-23 with 16 goals and 57 assists for 73 points in 80 games. Montour was limited to 60 games this past season due to overcoming an off-season injury and compiled 33 points in 66 contests. 

Dmitry Kulikov Remains With Panthers

     Florida Panthers defenseman Dmitry Kulikov has agreed to a four-year contract worth $4.6 million. He will continue his second stint with the club. 

     Kulikov rejoined the Panthers for the 2023-24 season as a free agent. He ended up with an Atlantic Division crown and a Stanley Cup title last season with the organization. Kulikov chalked up one goal and 19 assists for 20 points during 76 contests in 2023-24. 

     He had his first stint with the Panthers from 2009-10 until 2015-16 and helped the club capture their first two division titles in 2012 and 2016. Kulikov later played for the Buffalo Sabres, Winnipeg Jets, New Jersey Devils, Edmonton Oilers, Minnesota Wild, Anaheim Ducks and Pittsburgh Penguins. 

Sam Reinhart Staying With Florida Panthers

     Florida Panthers center Sam Reinhart will be remaining with the team for a very long time. He has signed a maximum eight-year deal worth $69 million. It will cost the Panthers $8.625 million per season on their salary cap through the 2031-32 campaign. 

     Reinhart finished with the third highest total of goals during a regular season in team history with 57 goals in 2023-24. He scored the game-winning goal in the second period of Game 7 of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final last week to help the team capture their first Stanley Cup title in Florida Panthers franchise history. He became the fourth player in NHL history to score at least 50 goals in the regular season and score the Stanley Cup clinching goal.

     He played his first seven NHL seasons with the Buffalo Sabres. Reinhart was traded to the Panthers on July 24, 2021. The team has won back-to-back Atlantic Division titles, one Presidents' Trophy, two Eastern Conference titles and a Stanley Cup while he has been in Florida. 

Caleb Martin Leaving Miami Heat

     Miami Heat forward Celeb Martin did not exercise his player option worth $7.13 million with the team prior to the free agency period on Sunday. He is expected to become an unrestricted free agent and sign elsewhere for a larger contract. 

     Martin played the last three seasons with the Heat. He captured an Eastern Conference title with the organization in 2022-23. Martin had career-highs of 10.0 points per game and 2.2 assists per game last season with the club. 

Kevin Love Re-Signing With Heat

     Miami Heat forward Kevin Love will be re-signing with the club. It is expected to be a two-year contract abound $8 million between him and the team. 

     Love joined the Heat late in the 2022-23 campaign. He helped the team win the Eastern Conference title that season. Love averaged 8.8 points per game and 6.1 rebounds per game during 2023-24. He captured an NBA title while with the Cleveland Cavaliers in 2016. 

Chase Priskie With Capitals

     Former Florida Panthers forward Chase Priskie will remain with the Washington Capitals signing a two-way, one-year deal worth $775,000. He played with their American Hockey League affiliate the Hershey Bears last season and captured the Calder Cup.

     Priskie, a Pembroke Pines native, was once in the Florida Panthers organization. He participated in four games with the team in 2021-22 and compiled no points. 

NBA Salary Cap

     The National Basketball Association announced on Sunday the salary cap for next season. it will go into effect as of July 1. 

     The salary cap has been set at $140.588 million for the 2024-25 campaign. The tax level will be at $170.814 million. 

     The salary cap floor for all 30 NBA teams will be $126.529 million. The first tax apron level is $178.132 million while the second tax apron is at $188.931 million. 

     There will be three different mid-level exceptions depending on a team's salary level. The non-taxpayer mid-level is $12.822 million, the taxpayer mid-level is $5.168 million and the mid-level for a club with room under the salary cap is $7.983 million.