Wrestling Legend Passes

The landscape of professional wrestling would be very different today if it wasn't for the megastar that was Hulk Hogan. he changed the way the mainstream viewed the industry of pro wrestling. He became that first big mega star that the industry needed when they began becoming more of a public view. A lot of what the wrestling industry has become today can be traced back to Hulk Hogan and Hulkamania running wild in the mid to late 80s. The world lost the superstar earlier this week, passing away at his home in Florida at the age of 71.

When the name Hulk Hogan gets brought up in conversation, it gets looked at from two different viewpoints. The character, and the man behind the character.

The man behind the gimmick, Terry Bollea, was very different than what we saw on TV and in the media. That aspect of the person, we won't dive into here. There's been plenty talked about the person that I really don't fell like getting into here. No what will be talked about here and now was the character of Hulk Hogan.

What the Hulkster did with Hulk-a-Mania runnimg wild in the late 80s and beyond changed the world of professional wrestling and brought it full force into the mainstream. It helped usher in a new era and viewpoint on the wrestling world. It almost cannot be measured.

Sure, there were people in the wrestling industry who had a leg up of sorts on Hulk. Guys like Ric Flair, Dusty Rhodes, Randy Savage, Ricky Steamboat could out wrestle, out talk, and have maybe a little more showmanship than Hogan. But Hulk had the right mix of all of it and he came in at the right time. He was the driving force behind Wrestlemania. he helped power the Monday Night Wars when he was in WCW. When Hulk was really at the top of his game at the turn of the decade going from the 80s to the 90s, it was a huge time for the wrestling industry and Hulk was the right guy for it at the right place at the right time.

Not only did he make wrestling seem like kind of a cool thing to do at that time, he laid the groundwork for not only wrestling as it is today, but for what wrestlers could be able to do outside of wrestling. You look at what guys like the Rock, Batista, and John Cena have been able to do transitioning from wrestling to a big deal in Hollywood. Hulk was the first one to do that. He became the first wrestler of note to really be doing movies, TV shows and even TV commercials. Other stars of the industry soon followed that path. If it wasn't for Hulk taking that first step, we wouldn't have a lot of what we have in the industry now in 2025.

So thank you Hulk Hogan for everything you did for the wrestling industry. HULKAMANIA WILL LIVE FOREVER!

Drop That Puck

Its getting close. Start marking your calendars folks. The 2025-26 NHL Schedule is here! October through April, an 82 game stretch to see who will have a shot to play for hockey's ultimate prize.

Don't worry, we'll have the full schedules listed for the teams we cover here, but we will get to that in a moment. First, lets take a look at some of the other games of note for the 2025-26 NHL season!

October 7th Blackhawks @ Panthers 5PM: First game of the year and Panthers raise their Cup Banner
October 21st Panthers @ Bruins: Brad Marchand first game back in Boston
November 14th and 16th Penguins vs Predators: Global Series Games in Sweden
November 22nd Oilers @ Panthers: Finals rematch
January 19th Jets @ Blackhawks: Jonathan Towes returns to Chicago
January 23rd Golden Knights @ Maple Leafs: Mitch Marner returns to Toronto

That's just some of the great action we can expect to see this season. Now lets get right into it. Here's the full 82 game schedules for the teams we cover here: the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Islanders and New York Rangers

OCTOBER:
Oct 9 vs Ottawa 7:00 PM
Oct 11 vs New Jersey 7:00 PM
Oct 13 @ Boston 1:00 PM
Oct 14 @ Washington 7:00 PM
Oct 17 @ Detroit 7:00 pm
Oct 18 @ Columbus 7:00 PM
Oct 23 vs Chicago 7:00 PM
Oct 25 vs Anaheim 5:00 PM
/Oct 26 vs Vegas 5:00 PM
Oct 28 @ Nashville 7:45 PM
Oct 30 vs Dallas 7:00 PM

NOVEMBER:
Nov 2 @ Utah 3:30 PM
Nov 4 @ Colorado 9:30 PM
Nov 6 @ Vegas 10:00 PM
Nov 8 vs Washington 7:00 PM
Nov 12 vs Rangers 7:00 PM
Nov 15 @ Florida 6:00 PM
Nov 16 vs Vancouver 5:00 PM
Nov 18 vs New Jersey 7:00 PM
Nov 20 vs Edmonton 7:00 PM
Nov 22 @ Washington 7:00 PM
Nov 24 vs Philadelphia 7:00 PM
Nov 26 vs Calgary 7:00 PM
Nov 28 @ Detroit 1:00 PM
Nov 29 @ Rangers 2:00 PM

DECEMBER:
Dec 2 @ Islanders 7:00 PM
Dec 4 vs Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Dec 6 vs Islanders 7:00 PM
Dec 8 @ Toronto  7:30 PM
Dec 9 @ Montreal 7:00 PM 
Dec 11 @ New Jersey 7:00 PM
Dec 13 @ Islanders 3:30 PM
Dec 15 vs Florida 7:00 PM
Dec 18 vs Los Angeles 7:00 PM
Dec 20 vs Carolina 7:00 PM
Dec 22 vs St. Louis 7:00 PM
Dec 27 @ Florida 7:00 PM
Dec 28 vs Montreal 5:00 PM
Dec 31 @ Anaheim 4:00 PM

JANUARY:
Jan 1 @ Los Angeles 10:30 PM
Jan 3 @ San Jose 4:00 PM
Jan 6 vs Colorado 7:00 PM
Jan 10 @ Philadelphia 7:00 PM
Jan 12 @ Philadelphia 7:00 PM
Jan 13 @ Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Jan 16 @ St. Louis 8:00 PM
Jan 18 @ Dallas 2:00 PM
Jan 20 vs San Jose 7:00 PM
Jan 23 @ Chicago 7:00 PM
Jan 24 @ Columbus 7:00 PM
Jan 26 vs Utah 7:00PM
Jan 29 vs Winnipeg 7:00 PM

FEBRUARY:
Feb 1 vs Boston* TBD (Stadium Series)
Feb 3 vs Buffalo 7:00 PM
Feb 5 vs Florida 7:00 PM
Feb 25 vs Toronto 7:30 PM
Feb 26 @ Carolina 7:00 PM
Feb 28 vs Buffalo 7:00 PM

MARCH:
Mar 3 @ Minnesota 9:30 PM
Mar 5 @ Winnipeg 8:00 PM
Mar 7 @ Toronto 7:00 PM
Mar 8 @ Buffalo 6:00 PM
Mar 10 vs Columbus 7:00 PM
Mar 12 vs Detroit 7:00 PM
Mar 14 vs Carolina 7:00 PM
Mar 17 @ Seattle 10:00 PM
Mar 19 @ Vancouver 10:00 PM
Mar 21 @ Edmonton 10:00 PM
Mar 22 @ Calgary 8:00PM
Mar 24 vs Minnesota 7:30 PM
Mar 26 vs Seattle 7:00 PM
Mar 28 vs Ottawa 1:00 PM
Mar 29 vs Nashville 5:00 PM 
Mar 31 vs Montreal 7:00 PM

APRIL:
Apr 2 vs Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Apr 4 vs Boston 5:00 PM 
Apr 6 @ Buffalo 7:00 PM
Apr 7 @ Ottawa 7:00 PM
Apr 9 @ Montreal 7:00 PM
Apr 11 @ Boston 12:30 PM
Apr 13 vs Detroit 7:00 PM
Apr 15 vs Rangers 7:00 PM

OCTOBER:
Oct 7 vs Pittsburgh 8:00 PM
Oct 9 @ Buffalo 7:00 PM
Oct 11 @ Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Oct 12 vs Washington 7:00 PM
Oct 14 vs Edmonton 7:00 PM
Oct 16 @ Toronto 7:00 PM
Oct 18 @ Montreal 7:00 PM
Oct 20 vs Minnesota 7:00 PM
Oct 23 vs San Jose 7:00 PM
Oct 26 @ Calgary 8:00 PM
Oct 28 @ Vancouver 10:00 PM
Oct 30 @ Edmonton 9:00 PM

NOVEMBER:
Nov 1 @ Seattle 10:00 PM
Nov 4 vs Carolina 7:00 PM
Nov 7 @ Detroit 7:00 PM
Nov 8 vs Islanders 7:00 PM
Nov 10 vs Nashville 7:00 PM
Nov 12 @ Tampa Bay 7:00 PM
Nov 15 @ Columbus 7:00 PM
Nov 16 vs Detroit 7:00 PM
Nov 18 @ Vegas 10:00 PM
Nov 20 @ Colorado 9:00 PM
Nov 22 @ Utah 9:00 PM
Nov 24 vs St. Louis 7:00 PM
Nov 26 @ Carolina 7:00 PM
Nov 28 @ Boston 1:00 PM
Nov 29 vs Tampa Bay 2:00 PM

DECEMBER:
Dec 2 vs Dallas 7:00 PM
Dec 4 @ Ottawa 7:00 PM
Dec 6 vs Colorado 12:30 PM
Dec 7 vs Vegas 7:00 PM
Dec 10 @ Chicago 7:30 PM
Dec 13 vs Montreal 7:00 PM
Dec 15 vs Anaheim 7:00 PM
Dec 16 vs Vancouver 7:00 PM
Dec 18 @ St. Louis 8:00 PM
Dec 20 vs Philadelphia 12:30 PM
Dec 21 @ Nashville 7:00 PM
Dec 23 @ Washington 6:30 PM
Dec 27 @ Islanders 6:00 PM
Dec 29 @ Carolina 7:00 PM
Dec 31 @ Washington 12:30 PM

JANUARY:
Jan 2 vs Florida 8:00 PM (Winger Classic)
Jan 5 vs Utah 7:00 PM
Jan 8 vs Buffalo 7:00 PM
Jan 10 @ Boston 1:00 PM
Jan 12 vs Seattle 7:00 PM
Jan 14 vs Ottawa 7:30 PM
Jan 17 @ Philadelphia 1:00 PM
Jan 19 @ Anaheim 10:00 PM
Jan 20 @ Los Angeles 10:30 PM
Jan 23 @ San Jose 10:00 PM
Jan 26 vs Boston 7:00 PM
Jan 28 @ Islanders 7:30 PM
Jan 29 vs Islanders 7:00 PM
Jan 31 @ Pittsburgh 3:30 PM

FEBRUARY:
Feb 5 vs Carolina 7:00 PM
Feb 26 vs Philadelphia 8:00 PM
Feb 28 vs Pittsburgh 12:30 PM

MARCH:
Mar 2 vs Columbus 7:00 PM
Mar 5 vs Toronto 7:00 PM
Mar 7 @ New Jersey 3:00 PM
Mar 9 @ Philadelphia 7:00 PM
Mar 10 vs Calgary 7:00 PM
Mar 12 @ Winnipeg 8:00 PM
Mar 14 @ Minnesota 6:00 PM
Mar 16 vs Los Angeles 7:00 PM
Mar 18 vs New Jersey 7:00 PM
Mar 19 @ Columbus 7:00 PM
Mar 22 vs Winnipeg 12:00 PM
Mar 23 vs Ottawa 7:30 PM
Mar 25 @ Toronto 7:30 PM
Mar 27 vs Chicago 7:00 PM
Mar 29 vs Florida 1:00 PM
Mar 31 vs New Jersey 7:00 PM

APRIL:
Apr 2 vs Montreal 7:00 PM
Apr 4 vs Detroit 12:30 PM
Apr 5 vs Washington 7:00 PM
Apr 8 vs Buffalo 7:00 PM
Apr 11 @ Dallas 5:00 PM
Apr 13 @ Florida 7:00 PM
Apr 15 @ Tampa Bay 7:00 PM

OCTOBER:
Oct 9 @ Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Oct 11 vs Washington 7:00 PM
Oct 13 vs Winnipeg 1:00 PM
Oct 16 vs Edmonton 7:00 PM
Oct 18 @ Ottawa 3:00 PM
Oct 21 vs San Jose 7:00 PM
Oct 23 vs Detroit 7:00 PM
Oct 25 @ Philadelphia 12:30 PM
Oct 28 @ Boston 7:15 PM
Oct 30 @ Carolina 7:00 PM
Oct 31 @ Washington 7:00 PM

NOVEMBER:
Nov 2 vs Columbus 5:00 PM
Nov 4 vs Boston 7:00 PM
Nov 7 vs Minnesota 7:00 PM
Nov 8 @ Rangers 7:00 PM
 Nov 10 @ New Jersey 7:00 PM
Nov 13 @ Vegas 10:00 PM
Nov 14 @ Utah 9:00 PM
Nov 16 @ Colorado 9:00 PM
Nov 18 @ Dallas 8:00 PM
Nov 20 @ Detroit 7:00 PM\
Nov 22 vs St. Louis 3:30 PM
Nov 23 vs Seattle 5:00 PM
Nov 26 vs Boston 7:00 PM
Nov 28 vs Philadelphia 4:00 PM
Nov 30 vs Washington 1:00 PM

DECEMBER:
Dec 2 vs Tampa Bay 7:00 PM
Dec 4 vs Colorado 7:00 PM
Dec 6 @ Tampa Bay 7:00 PM
Dec 7 @ Florida 5:00 PM
Dec 9 vs Vegas 7:00 PM
Dec 11 vs Anaheim 7:00 PM
Dec 13 vs Tampa Bay 3:30 PM
Dec 16 @ Detroit 7:00 PM
Dec 19 vs Vancouver 7:00 PM
Dec 20 @ Buffalo 5:00 PM
Dec 23 vs New Jersey 7:00 PM
Dec 27 vs Rangers 6:00 PM
Dec 28 @ Columbus 5:00 PM
Dec 30 @ Chicago 8:30 PM

JANUARY:
Jan 1 vs Utah 3:00 PM
Jan 3 vs Toronto 7:00 PM
Jan 6 vs New Jersey 7:00 PM
Jan 8 @ Nashville 8:00 PM
Jan 10 @ Minnesota 8:00 PM
Jan 13 @ Winnipeg 8:00 PM
Jan 15 @ Edmonton 9:00 PM
Jan 17 @ Calgary 3:00 PM
Jan 19 @ Vancouver 10:00 PM
Jan 21 @ Seattle 10:00 PM
Jan 24 vs Buffalo 1:00 PM
Jan 26 @ Philadelphia 7:00 PM
Jan 28 vs Rangers 7:30 PM
Jan 29 @ Rangers 7:00 PM
Jan 31 vs Nashville 7:00 PM

FEBRUARY:
Feb 2 @ Washington 7:00 PM
Feb 3 vs Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Feb 5 @ New Jersey 7:00 PM
Feb 26 @ Montreal 7:00 PM
Feb 28 @ Columbus 6:00 PM

MARCH:
Mar 1 vs Florida 4:00 PM
Mar 4 @ Anaheim 10:00 PM
Mar 5 @ Los Angeles 9:30 PM
Mar 7 @ San Jose 10:00 PM
Mar 10 @ St. Louis 7:30 PM
Mar 13 vs Los Angeles 7:00 PM
Mar 14 vs Calgary 7:00 PM
Mar 17 @ Toronto 7:00 PM
Mar 19 @ Ottawa 7:00 PM
Mar 21 @ Montreal 7:00 PM
Mar 22 vs Columbus 7:00 PM
Mar 24 vs Chicago 7:00 PM
Mar 26 vs Dallas 7:00 PM
Mar 28 vs Florida 1:00 PM
Mar 30 vs Pittsburgh 7:00 PM
Mar 31 @ Buffalo 7:00 PM

APRIL:
Apr 3 vs Philadelphia 7:00 PM
Apr 4 @ Carolina 7:00 PM
Apr 9 vs Toronto 7:00 PM
Apr 11 vs Ottawa 1:00 PM
Apr 12 vs Montreal 6:00 PM
Apr 14 vs Carolina 7:00 PM

Big News In Tampa Bay

We have heard this act before. There's more good news surrounding the Tampa Bay Rays, and hopefully this time it will actually stick and happen. Reports have been coming in from a couple sources that the Stu Sternberg is selling the Rays for about $2 Billion to a group of Jacksonville investors lead by Patrick Zalupski. The sale is reportedly going to go through in September, but at this point, neither the investor Group, nor Sternberg, have made any public comments. It is also believed that the plan from the new ownership group would be to put the rays at a new stadium in Tampa, rather than keep them in St Petersburgh.

There's good and there's bad to this.

The good is, it finally gets Sternberg the hell out of the owners box. Yes, there has been a fair amount of success in Tampa since Stu took over as owner in 2005.n That includes two AL Pennants and four AL East division titles. But the owner seemingly refuses to re-invest any money back into the ball club. By that, we mean make upgrades to the ballpark. Or even get a new ballpark built in the area to keep the Rays in St Pete. If this does go through, it will hopefully allow money to get back into the team. It will allow the team to spend money on competing talent in the AL East. It will allow them to maintain a world class stadium in the area as well. Among other things.

Then, of course, there's the skeptic in me. The Rays have gotten our hopes up over the last year. With the new stadium deal that was set in place, but then was shot down. The roof of the Trop getting blown off (that wasn't on ownership that was Mother Nature). It seems like when the Rays have anything going good, or it looks like it might be good, something gets pulled out from under them. Everything that has been talked about since the announcement came down yesterday has been speculation. 

Here's hoping this will actually go through and the new owners actually take over.

Play Like An All Star

The Mid Summer Classic is almost upon us once again. On July 15th, the best of the best in the game of baseball will gather at Truist Park in Atlanta. League pride is on the line as the AL and NL will send their best out on the field for the 95th All Star Game.

The AL has won 11 of the last 12 games. They had a ten game win streak snapped back in 2023, but went right back to their winning ways last season. The AL has 48 wins and score 388 runs during the game, while the NL has won 44 times and score 380 runs.

Here's what the All Stars look like for this season.

National League:
Starters:
Catcher: Will Smith Dodgers (3rd)
1st Base: Freddie Freeman Dodgers (9th)
2nd Base: Ketel Marte Diamondbacks (3rd)
3rd Base: Manny Machado Padres (7th)
Shortstop: Francisco Lindor Mets (5th)
Outfielders: Ronald Acuña Jr. Braves (5th), Pete Crow-Armstrong Cubs (1st), Kyle Tucker Cubs (4th)
Designated Hitter Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers (5th)

Reserves
Catcher: Hunter Goodman Rockies (1st)
1st Base: Pete Alonso Mets (5th), Matt Olson Braves (3rd)
2nd Base: Brendan Donovan Cardinals (1st)
3rd Base: Eugenio Suárez Diamondbacks (2nd)
Shortstop: Elly De La Cruz Reds (2nd)
Outfield: Corbin Carroll Diamondbacks (2nd), Kyle Stowers Marlins (1st), Fernando Tatís Jr. Padres (3rd), James Wood Nationals (1st)
Designated Hitter: Kyle Schwarber Phillies (3rd)

Pitchers:
Jason Adam Padres (1at), Matthew Boyd Cubs (1st), Edwin Díaz Mets (3rd), MacKenzie Gore Nationals (1st), Clayton Kershaw Dodgers (11th), Freddy Peralta Brewers (2nd), Robbie Ray Giants (2nd), Randy Rodríguez Giants (1st), Chris Sale Braves (9th), Paul Skenes Pirates (2nd), Logan Webb Giants (2nd), Zack Wheeler Phillies (3rd), Yoshinobu Yamamoto Dodgers (1st)

American League:
Starters:
Catcher: Cal Raleigh Mariners (1st)
1st Base: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. Blue Jays (5th)
2nd Base: Gleyber Torres Tigers (3rd)
3rd Base: José Ramírez Guardians (7th)
Shortstop: Jacob Wilson Athletics (1st)
Outfield: Javier Báez Tigers (3rd), Riley Greene Tigers (2nd), Aaron Judge Yankees (7th)
Designated Hitter: Ryan O'Hearn Orioles (1st)

Reserves:
Catcher: Alejandro Kirk Blue Jays (2nd)
1st Base: Jonathan Aranda Rays (1st)
2nd Base: Brandon Lowe Rays (2nd)
3rd Base: Alex Bregman Red Sox (3rd), Jazz Chisholm Jr. Yankees (2nd)
Shortstop: Jeremy Peña Astros (1st), Bobby Witt Jr. Royals (2nd)
Outfield: Byron Buxton Twins (2nd), Steven Kwan Guardians (2nd), Julio Rodríguez Mariners (3rd) 
Designated Hitter: Brent Rooker Athletics (2nd)

Pitchers:
Hunter Brown Astros (1st), Kris Bubic Royals (1st), Aroldis Chapman Red Sox (8th), Garrett Crochet Red Sox (2nd), Jacob deGrom Rangers (5th), Max Fried Yankees (3rd), Josh Hader Astros (6th), Yusei Kikuchi Angels (2nd), Andrés Muñoz Mariners (2nd), Tarik Skubal Tigers (2nd), Shane Smith White Sox (1st), Bryan Woo Mariners (1st)

So what do you think? Any snubs?

Hockey Hall Makes Call

To be named to a Hall of Fame means you are doing something that is at a level above everybody else. And then some. This November, the Hockey Hall of Fame in Toronto will induct eight new members to its hallowed halls.

The newest members of the Hall are:  in the Builders Category, former BU Coach Jack Parker amnd Team Canada GM and Women's Hockey Coach Daniele Sauvageau were selected. For the Players Category, Jennifer Botterill, Brianna Decker, Zdeno Chara, Joe Thornton, Duncan Keith and Alexander Mogilny were selected.

Jack Parker did a lot coaching at Boston University in the 40 years he ran the program. Three National Championships, six conference championships, 24 appearances in the NCAA Tournament, 13 appearances in the Frozen Four, and 897 wins as head coach. Numbers like that put one in rare air. Same thing can be said for Sauvageau on the national level and what she was able to do for Team Canada in the Women's game on the international level.

Now as for the players getting in, lets look at what Botterill and Decker have done for the Women's game. Botterill played four years at Harvard, including a 112 point season her senior year. It's even mroe impressive what she did, considering that the NCAA does not recognize her record because women's hockey was not an NCAA-sanctioned sport in Botterill's first two college seasons. She was the first to win the Patty Kazmaier Award twice, which is given to the best player in Women's College Hockey. She continued to play professional hockey through 2011 racking up 155 points in 78 games. Oh and add in 117 points in 92 games on the international level for Team Canada. Brianna Decker did the same thing for the United States as well. She played four years at Wisconsin University, with over 180 career points. She won six gold medals at the Worlds and a gold and two silvers at Olympic games. She helped set a standard for Women's Hockey in the United States.

Two forwards and two defenders get into the players category from the NHL.

Duncan Keith was a late 2nd round pick by the Hawks in 2002. He joined the Hawks in 2005 and stayed their until 2021. He played his final NHL season with the Oilers before retiring in 2022. 1,256 games played, 106 goals, 540 assists for 646 points. Four all star game appearances, twice winner of the Norris Trophy, a Conn Smyth Trophy and three Stanley Cup Championships are on his mantel. Sure, he had an offensive style to his game, but he was more known for his skating and defensive play. He was a solid all around defender who could skate with some of the best opposing forwards in the game. Then there's Zdeno Chara, the tallest player in league history. He was drafted in the third round of the 1996 entry draft by the Islanders. He  joined the team in 1998 and spent three years on the team. Then gets traded to the Ottawa Senators for four years. He followed that up with 14 season in Boston, and finally a year each in Washington and back with the Islanders to finish his career. The numbers speak volumes for Big Z, 680 points on 209 goals and 471 assists in 1,680 games> Those games played the most by a defenseman and third among all players during his 25 years in the League. Six all star game appearances, a five time winner of the hardest shot, one Norris Trophy and a 2011 Stanley Cup Championship to his name. It took the big man a few years to stop growing and find his game, but when he did, he became a forced to be reckoned with on the blue line. He was a hall of fame player and a hall of fame human being as well.

One of the two forwards getting induction is long overdue. Alexander Mogilny finally getting his long awaited induction into the hall. Started his career in 1989 with the Buffalo Sabres, playing there until 1995. Then it was on to Vancouver from 1995 to 1999. Then a two year stop with the New Jersey Devils to 2001. He followed that with a three year stint in Toronto before one final year in New Jersey by the time he retired in 2006. 990 games played, 473 goals, 559 assists, 1,032 points. A Stanley Cup win in 2000, six all star games, member of the triple gold club. The list goes on and on for Mogilny. An incredible skater and one of the best pure goal scorers of his generation, Mogilny could either blow right by you  or deke right around you. The fact that it took this long for him to finally get inducted is a bit of a crime, but as the saying goes better late than never. We go from one of the best goal scores to one of the best play makers of a generation in Joe Thornton. Jumbo Joe was drafted 1st overall in 1997 and started his career that year in Boston. He played their until midway through the 2006 season, where he was traded to San Jose. Joe played for the Sharks till 2020 where he would spend his final two seasons in the league with Toronto and Florida. 1,714 career games, 430 goals, 1,109 assists good for 1,539 points. Joe as a six time all star to go along with winning an Art Ross and Hart trophy in 2006. Like Chara, it took Thornton a little time to get acclimated to the NHL game. Once he did, he cemented himself as an outstanding playmaker.

Back 2 Back In South Florida

The Stanley Cup must love getting a tan from the state of Florida. First, in 2020 and 2021, the Tampa Bay Lightning claimed back to back titles. Now, their so called little brother, the Florida Panthers, have done the same thing. For the 2nd year in a row, the Florida Panthers are the Stanley Cup Champions.

Last year, the beat the Edmonton Oilers in seven games. This year it only took six games to beat those exact Same Oilers. There is so much to unpack from how this series went down. The Panthers more than deserved this title. At the same time, the Oilers left a lot to be desired in this series as well.

This year was a totally different series than the one we saw a year ago. Last year, the Panthers were up 3-0 in the series, Edmonton stormed back and forced a game seven, before Florida came away with its title. This year, Florida dominated this series. The only wins for the Oilers were on a pair of overtime goals by Leon Draisaitl. Sure, Leon and Conor McDavid tied for the lead for points in the playoffs with 33 each. Leon was better in the Finals. Yes, Conor had 7 points, but just one goal over the course of the six games. The support guys kind of just disappeared. Evan Bouchard and Ryan Nugent Hopkins weren't ass effecting in the finals as they were playing supporting roles in the first three rounds.

Then there's the goaltending for Edmonton. I'm sorry, but a lot had been riding on the play of Stuart Skinner in the Finals and he just didn't deliver. To say he disappeared would be an understatement. There are times, yes, where he looked like he could steal the series for Edmonton. And at the same time, he looked like he couldn't stop a beachball. It has to be frustrating, if your an Oilers fan, to think that this guy could be the one to get you over the hump and get you a  title. Hell, it has to be frustrating if your McDavid. He's got nine straight 90 or more point seasons and he STILL doesn't have a title to show for it. The guy is the best player in the world, but doesn't have the supporting cast to get over that final hump and claim a Cup.

As for the Panthers, they managed to find a way to get the roster they needed to win a second straight title. Credit has to go General Manager Bill Zito for being able to re-tool his roster to get the right guys on the ice to fit the system. Paul Maurice gets the most out of his players and that was evident with capturing a second straight title. And an even bigger hats off to Matthew Tkachuk for being able to do what he did in the cup finals. He managed to play in the finals with a torn adductor muscle. And he still finished tied with Sam Reinhart for the team lead with 23 points. But both paled in comparison to the 15 goals scored by playoff MVP Sam Bennett.

And in net, Sergei Bobrovsky played every minute of the entire playoffs. Some had questioned Bob after the first year of his big contract, but boy oh boy has he been worth every penny and then some the last couple of seasons. That's what makes the Panthers so good. They are a very balanced team that can pretty much play any style that they go up against. And management is not only aware of this, but they will go out and get the players they need too plug the holes and keep this machine going.

There is one thing that needs to be at least looked at. That is the fact that Matthew Tkachuk called the Panthers a dynasty. I get it, he's excited as all getup for winning the cup for the 2nd year in a row. But a Dynasty? Come on lets not jump the gun here. I'm not taking anything away from what the Panthers have managed to do over the last three years. Three straight finals appearances, and back to back Stanley Cups is an amazing accomplishment. To be truly counted as a dynasty, at least in my mind, win another title in the next two or so years. Another trip to the finals, making it four years in a row. That's how to become a dynasty.

A great team? Yes we can say that with this Panthers club. Congratulations to the Florida Panthers, your 2025 Stanley Cup Champions!

NHL Hands Out Hardware

We have hit that time of the year. The time to honor the best of the best. Honoring the individual accomplishments in a great team sport of hockey. Earlier this week, the NHL handed out the hardware for its induvial awards for the 2024-25 regular season.

These awards were handed out based on play during the 82 game regular season.

Before diving into the individual awards, here's the All Rookie and NHL All Star teams for 2024-25.

All Rookie Team:
Goalie: Dustin Wolf (Calgary)
Defense: Lane Hutson (Montreal), Denton Mateychuk (Columbus)
Forwards: Matvei Michkov (Philadelphia), Cutter Gauthier (Anaheim), Macklin Celebrini (San Jose)

All Star Teams:
1st Team:
Goalie: Connor Hellebuyck (Winnipeg)
Defense: Cale Makar (Colorado), Zach Werenski (Columbus)
Forwards: Nathan MacKinnon (Colorado), Nikita Kucherov (Tampa Bay), Kyle Conor (Winnipeg)

2nd Team:
Goalie: Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay)
Defense: Victor Hedman (Tampa Bay), Quinn Hughes (Vancouver)
Forwards: Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton), David Pastrnak (Boston), Brandon Hagel (Tampa Bay)

Now then, onto the actual hardware. Here's the award winners in the NHL for the 2024-25 season.

Mark Messier Leadership Award: Alex Ovechkin, Washington Capitals

Bill Masterton Memorial Trophy (Perseverance, Sportsmanship, and Dedication): Sean Monahan, Columbus Blue Jackets

King Clancy Memorial Trophy (Leadership and Humanitarian Contribution): Alexander Barkov, Florida Panthers

Frank J Selke Trophy (Best Defensive Forward): Alexander Barkov, Florida Panthers

Lady Byng Memorial Trophy (Sportsmanship and Excellence); Anze Kopitar, Los Angeles Kings

Ted Lindsey Award (MVP Voted by Players): Nikita Kucherov, Tampa Bay Lightning

Jack Adams Award (Coach of the Year): Spencer Carbery, Washington Capitals

This one was an easy pick. Carbery turned the Caps from a team last year that barely got into the playoffs and got swept in the first round, to this year winning the division and having the best record in the East. Only team that had a better year was Winnipeg. Impressive turn around in the nations capital and a very deserving winner of the award. 

Calder Trophy (Rookie Of The Year): Lane Hutson, Montreal Canadiens

Hutson becomes the 56th Canadien to take the award and the first to do it since Ken Dryden in 1972. 66 points from the Montreal Back End is a pretty good first year. His 60 assists lead the team and his 66 points were third on the club. The assists and points led all rookies in scoring this year and helped power Montreal to the final playoff spot in the eastern Conference.

Norris Trophy (Leagues Best Defenseman): Cale Makar, Colorado Avalanche

For the 2nd time in his career, Makar walked away as the best defenseman in the entire league. Makar lead all defenseman in scoring with 92 points. He also became the first blue liner to score 30 or more goals in a season since Mike Green did it in 2009. Oh and those 92 points mark back to back 90 point seasons, the fifth time in league history that's ever happened. He has a solid all around game and winning this trophy for the 2nd time proves that.

Vezina Trophy (Best Goalie): Connor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets

Its the second year in a row and third time in his career that Hellebuyck has walked away with a Vezina. And why not with the year he had. Led the league wins with 47 (only goalie to win more than 40 games this year), ,925 save % (2nd in the league), 2.00 GAA (led league), 8 shutouts (led league). His play between the pipes led the Jets to the best record in the entire league. Most nights, he was on his game and the numbers reflect that. He was better than any other netminder this year.

Hart Trophy (League MVP): Conor Hellebuyck, Winnipeg Jets

For the 4th time ever, and first time since 2015, a goalie walked away with the MVP award. Hellebuyck beat out Leon Draisaitl for the award. Nothing against the years Leon or Nikita Kucherov of the Lightning had, but Hellebuyck was playing at an altogether different level this season. One that was head a shoulders above others on the ice this year.