TIM REYNOLDS Sports Writer, Author at The Rapid City Post

Florida Panthers center Brad Marchand and captain Aleksander Barkov celebrate after defeating the Edmonton Oilers in Game 6 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Final Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Panthers found a way to keep the core together, and Zito says it was player-driven

July 1, 2025

Bill Zito looked exhausted Tuesday. The Florida Panthers’ hockey operations president and general manager was trying to schedule a fishing trip. He was trying to figure out how the next few weeks will work. He needed a nap, desperately. The good news: He can finally get a bit of a break. The Panthers are running it back next season, with all 12 of the forwards that they used in the clinching game of the Stanley Cup Final under contract for 2025-26 and in many cases long beyond. The final moves came Tuesday, when the signings of Brad Marchand and Tomas Nosek became officially official as Florida prepares to try and win a third consecutive title next season.

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior celebrates with teammate Gonzalo Garcia, left, after scoring his team's first goal during the Club World Cup Group H soccer match between Salzburg and Real Madrid in Philadelphia, Thursday, June 26, 2025. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)

US soccer great Tobin Heath hoping Club World Cup spurs more growth for game at home

June 28, 2025

Tobin Heath might know something about what makes soccer resonate within the U.S. Her resume, in part: She won NCAA titles in college at North Carolina, then went on to win two Olympic gold medals with the U.S. women’s national team and two World Cup titles as well, all coming after she was inspired by the 1999 Women’s World Cup. And so far, she thinks the Club World Cup could have a similar effect. Heath says “I know the power of these home competitions. … I know the power of these games in our country, to change the landscape of this game in our country.”

Florida Panthers center Sam Bennett (9) celebrates after scoring a goal during the second period of Game 3 of the NHL Stanley Cup final against the Edmonton Oilers Monday, June 9, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Sam Bennett says he’s staying in Florida with hopes Panthers turn into a dynasty

June 28, 2025

Sam Bennett could have gone to free agency and picked his landing spot, plus probably could have signed for much more money than the Florida Panthers were able to offer. Instead, he chose winning. Bennett, the reigning Conn Smythe Award winner as playoff MVP of Florida’s most recent run to the Stanley Cup, spoke out Saturday about his decision to sign an eight-year, $64 million deal with the Panthers. His reasoning was actually quite simple.

Florida Panthers' Sam Bennett holds up the Conn Smythe Trophy during the NHL hockey team's Stanley Cup championship celebration, Sunday, June 22, 2025, in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. (AP Photo/Michael Laughlin)

Playoff MVP Sam Bennett agrees on 8-year, $64 million contract to stay with Florida Panthers

June 27, 2025

Sam Bennett walked to the front of the stage at the Florida Panthers’ latest Stanley Cup championship parade, and before he could even speak the crowd began serenading him with their request. “Eight more years! Eight more years!” they chanted, over and over. They got their wish. Bennett — who led the NHL with 15 goals in this year’s playoffs and became the first Panthers player ever to score that many in a single postseason — is staying with the back-to-back Stanley Cup champions. He and Florida agreed Friday to a new eight-year contract worth $64 million, or $8 million per season.

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) watches the puck against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period of Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

The Stanley Cup final goalie matchup: Bobrovsky and Skinner, matching wits once again

June 2, 2025

The only times that Sergei Bobrovsky spent any time really reflecting on winning the Stanley Cup were the obvious moments. The on-ice celebration that night. The day of the parade. Things like that. Otherwise, he did what he always does. He looked at what was next. It is a simple approach and it works best for the Florida goaltender, who is about to play in the Stanley Cup Final for a third consecutive season. And in this title series, he’ll likely be matching goalie wits with Stuart Skinner again — the Edmonton netminder who was in goal for last year’s Stanley Cup Final.

Florida Panthers' Aleksander Barkov (16) skates over to accept the Prince of Wales Trophy following Game 5 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes in Raleigh, N.C., Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (AP Photo/Karl DeBlaker)

Surprise! NHL, with the help of kids, gives Barkov the Selke and King Clancy awards

June 2, 2025

Florida’s Aleksander Barkov thought the team meeting was over. He found it odd that the Panthers hadn’t been told they could leave. Turns out, there was a good reason. Two of them, actually. The Panthers hadn’t had an opportunity to spend any time at Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital during their playoff run, so the team decided to bring some of the patients into the team facility for a visit instead. And the kids came bearing gifts for Barkov: the Selke Trophy as the league’s top defensive forward, and the King Clancy trophy for leadership and humanitarian work.

Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice reacts during the third period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Florida coach Paul Maurice has Panthers back in Cup final, fueled by his mix of laughs and hard work

June 1, 2025

Florida coach Paul Maurice keeps the day-to-day routine simple. Show up for work early and have copious amounts of coffee. Trust assistant coaches to do their jobs. Sit in on meetings when needed. Hammer home a consistent message with players. Swear a little bit sometimes, swear profusely at other times. Hey, it works. In the Stanley Cup Final for a third consecutive season with the Panthers, Maurice’s style continues to deliver results for Florida. He was 41-51 in his playoff career before coming to Florida. He is 41-21 in his playoff career with Florida.

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) stops the puck in the third period of Game 5 of a second-round NHL hockey playoff series against the Washington Capitals Thursday, May 15, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Nick Wass)

Hurricanes go back to Frederik Andersen in net for Game 4 of East finals against Panthers

May 26, 2025

The Carolina Hurricanes switched starting goalies again for Game 4 of the Eastern Conference finals, going back to Frederik Andersen for Monday night’s win-or-else game against the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Andersen started Games 1 and 2, getting pulled after the second period of Game 2. He stopped only 27 of 36 shots in those five periods, and the Hurricanes went to Pyotr Kochetkov to finish Game 2 and then play Game 3. Andersen made 20 saves and Carolina won 3-0 on Monday night.

Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Frederik Andersen (31) and defenseman Brent Burns (8) celebrate at the end of the third period in Game 4 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals against the Florida Panthers, Monday, May 26, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Hurricanes avoid another sweep, stave off elimination by beating Panthers 3-0 in Game 4

May 26, 2025

Frederik Andersen returned to the net and stopped 20 shots for his fifth career playoff shutout, Logan Stankoven got the only goal Carolina needed and the Hurricanes won their first Eastern Conference finals game in nearly 20 years by beating the Florida Panthers 3-0 on Monday night to stave off elimination. Sebastian Aho and Jordan Staal got empty-netters to seal it for the Hurricanes. They had dropped 15 consecutive East finals games, getting swept in 2009, 2019 and 2023, then dropping the first three games of this matchup. No sweep this time, however. Carolina still trails the series 3-1. Game 5 is Wednesday.

Florida Panthers' Brad Marchand (63) reacts after scoring a goal against Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov (52) during the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Did Brad Marchand really have a Blizzard between periods of Game 3? It’s a delicious rumor

May 25, 2025

A controversy — a creamy, delicious one — is brewing in the Florida Panthers locker room, surrounding some potentially decadent behavior on the part of Brad Marchand during Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals. The issue: Did he REALLY have ice cream after the second period Saturday night? He said he did, though it is possible that he was telling a frozen fib. Specifically, Marchand said he enjoyed a Blizzard from Dairy Queen. Coach Paul Maurice says just because Marchand said it doesn’t make it true.

Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) is introduced before Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals against the Carolina Hurricanes Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Panthers can sweep their way back to Stanley Cup Final with a win over Hurricanes on Monday night

May 25, 2025

Brad Marchand wanted no part of the conversation. He and the Florida Panthers lead the Carolina Hurricanes 3-0 in the Eastern Conference finals. Florida is on the brink of reaching the Stanley Cup Final; it would be the Panthers’ third straight appearance in that round and Marchand’s first time in the title round since 2019. Talk of getting there, however, can wait. There’s another win to get first.

Hurricanes switch goalies for Game 3, starting Kochetkov over Andersen against Panthers

May 24, 2025

The Carolina Hurricanes switched goalies for Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals, starting Pyotr Kochetkov in net against the Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers. Kochetkov played the third period of Game 2, stopping four of the five shots he faced in Carolina’s 5-0 loss. The Hurricanes were outscored 10-2 in the first two games of the series, with Frederik Andersen giving up nine goals on just 36 shots.

Florida Panthers center Jesper Boqvist (70) celebrates with Aleksander Barkov (16), Aaron Ekblad (5) and Gustav Forsling (42) after scoring a goal against the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Panthers rule Sam Reinhart out for Game 3. His replacement, Jesper Boqvist, gets a big goal instead

May 24, 2025

Sam Reinhart did not play for the Florida Panthers in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference finals against Carolina on Saturday night because of a left knee injury, one that happened Thursday when he was skated into by the Hurricanes’ Sebastian Aho. His replacement scored instead. Jesper Boqvist broke a tie and started a five-goal outburst in the third for Florida.

The puck gets past Carolina Hurricanes goaltender Pyotr Kochetkov, center, on a goal scored by Florida Panthers' Aleksander Barkov during the third period in Game 3 of the NHL hockey Stanley Cup Eastern Conference finals Saturday, May 24, 2025, in Sunrise, Fla. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)

Panthers score 5 in the 3rd period, roll past Hurricanes 6-2 and move a win away from Cup final

May 24, 2025

Niko Mikkola and Aleksander Barkov each scored twice, and the Florida Panthers scored five goals in a nine-minute span of the third period to beat the Carolina Hurricanes 6-2 on Saturday night and move one win from a third consecutive trip to the Stanley Cup Final. Jesper Boqvist — playing for the injured Sam Reinhart — scored the go-ahead goal early in the third for Florida, which now leads the Eastern Conference finals 3-0. Brad Marchand also scored for the Panthers and Sergei Bobrovsky stopped 23 shots. Logan Stankoven and Seth Jarvis scored for Carolina, which has now dropped 15 consecutive East finals games

TIM REYNOLDS Sports Writer.

Panthers found a way to keep the core together, and Zito says it was player-driven

US soccer great Tobin Heath hoping Club World Cup spurs more growth for game at home

Sam Bennett says he’s staying in Florida with hopes Panthers turn into a dynasty

Playoff MVP Sam Bennett agrees on 8-year, $64 million contract to stay with Florida Panthers

The Stanley Cup final goalie matchup: Bobrovsky and Skinner, matching wits once again

Surprise! NHL, with the help of kids, gives Barkov the Selke and King Clancy awards

Florida coach Paul Maurice has Panthers back in Cup final, fueled by his mix of laughs and hard work

Hurricanes go back to Frederik Andersen in net for Game 4 of East finals against Panthers

Hurricanes avoid another sweep, stave off elimination by beating Panthers 3-0 in Game 4

Did Brad Marchand really have a Blizzard between periods of Game 3? It’s a delicious rumor

Panthers can sweep their way back to Stanley Cup Final with a win over Hurricanes on Monday night

Hurricanes switch goalies for Game 3, starting Kochetkov over Andersen against Panthers

Panthers rule Sam Reinhart out for Game 3. His replacement, Jesper Boqvist, gets a big goal instead

Panthers score 5 in the 3rd period, roll past Hurricanes 6-2 and move a win away from Cup final

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