Yardbarker
Panthers Defenseman Fined for Incident Against Lightning

Panthers Defenseman Fined for Incident Against Lightning

Tensions hit new levels in the Battle of Florida during Game 4 of the first round playoff series against the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning. While Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad is set to have a hearing for a forearm hit against Lightning forward Brandon Hagel, another Panthers defenseman has been given a fine for his own incident.

Florida Panthers News / Daily Faceoff / April 28
Panthers’ Niko Mikkola ejected for boarding

Panthers’ Niko Mikkola ejected for boarding

Florida Panthers‘ Niko Mikkola has been ejected from Monday’s Game 4 for boarding Tampa Bay Lightning center Zemgus Girgensons. The incident occurred just 19 seconds into the third period of the game when Girgensons was making a play with the puck, and Mikkola went for the hit to knock him off the puck.

NHL News / Yardbarker Quizzes
The 'NHL Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The 'NHL Conn Smythe Trophy winners' quiz

The NHL began awarding the Conn Smythe Trophy to the most valuable player of the postseason beginning in the 1965 season. How many of the past winners can you name in six minutes?

NHL News / Daily Faceoff / April 1
Niko Mikkola’s end-of-game slapshot was far worse than the Ridly Greig incident

Niko Mikkola’s end-of-game slapshot was far worse than the Ridly Greig incident

People are still up in arms after the incident that occurred at the end of the Florida Panthers and Montreal Canadiens game this past Sunday. As the final

Montreal Canadiens News / Dose.ca / April 1
Arber Xhekaj will not be fighting Niko Mikkola tonight because he will not be playing

Arber Xhekaj will not be fighting Niko Mikkola tonight because he will not be playing

The Canadiens practiced this morning at the Bell Centre in preparation for their game tonight against the Panthers. Kirby Dach was there to watch the practice.

Florida Panthers News / Athlon Sports / March 31
Panthers Defenseman Hit With Maximum Fine for Behavior at Final Buzzer

Panthers Defenseman Hit With Maximum Fine for Behavior at Final Buzzer

At the final horn of Sunday's 4-2 Montreal Canadiens win over the Florida Panthers, a melee commenced when Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola fired a puck at the Montreal net from his own end down the ice.

Florida Panthers News / Field Level Media / March 31
Panthers D Niko Mikkola fined $5K for unsportsmanlike conduct

Panthers D Niko Mikkola fined $5K for unsportsmanlike conduct

Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola was fined $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct on Monday. The fine is in response to a slapshot Mikkola sent down the ice with two seconds remaining on the game clock with the Panthers down 4-2 to the Canadiens on Sunday.

Florida Panthers News / Daily Faceoff / March 31
Panthers’ Niko Mikkola fined $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct against Canadiens

Panthers’ Niko Mikkola fined $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct against Canadiens

On Monday, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Florida Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola has been fined $5,000 for unsportsmanlike conduct during Sunday night’s game against the Montreal Canadiens.

NHL News / Athlon Sports / March 31
Brawl Erupts After Panthers Player Breaks Unwritten Rule vs. Canadiens

Brawl Erupts After Panthers Player Breaks Unwritten Rule vs. Canadiens

The Montreal Canadiens defeated the Florida Panthers 4–2 on Sunday, but a late incident involving Florida defenseman Niko Mikkola escalated tensions between the two teams ahead of Tuesday's rematch.

NHL News / Yardbarker / February 21
Stock up or down? Seven players to watch ahead of 2026 Olympics

Stock up or down? Seven players to watch ahead of 2026 Olympics

Here are seven players with Olympic aspirations to watch throughout the rest of this season — some trending up and others trending in the wrong direction.

Watch: Connor McDavid's OT goal lifts Canada to 4 Nations Face-Off championship
Watch: 4 Nations crowd honors Johnny Gaudreau with 'Johnny Hockey' chant
Jaccob Slavin made some ridiculous defensive plays against Canada
NHL hit home run with 4 Nations Face-Off, but will it keep momentum going?
Singer Chantal Kreviazuk intentionally changed lyrics to Canadian national anthem
Florida Panthers News / Florida Hockey Now / January 6
Florida Panthers Go West with Questions on Blue Line

Florida Panthers Go West with Questions on Blue Line

FORT LAUDERDALE — The Florida Panthers held their final practice Sunday morning before boarding a flight and heading to Denver for a two-game trip in the Rockies.

NHL News / Inside The Rink / December 30

3 Takeaways from the Florida Panthers & Montreal Canadiens Game 12/28/2024

Florida got outworked by the Canadiens in the first game after the Christmas break. The Panthers looked a step slow and were feeling the strain of having Niko Mikkola out of the lineup.

Florida Panthers News / TheLeafsnation / June 12
The Leafs need to find their own Evan Rodrigues & Niko Mikkola this summer

The Leafs need to find their own Evan Rodrigues & Niko Mikkola this summer

The Florida Panthers may be two wins away from notching their first Stanley Cup in franchise history, but weirdly enough, they’ve done so without getting much production from their big boys.

NHL News / Yardbarker / June 10
Panthers claw way to 2-0 Stanley Cup Final edge vs. Oilers

Panthers claw way to 2-0 Stanley Cup Final lead with win over Oilers

The Panthers clawed their way back from an early deficit to put a stranglehold on the Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final.

Oilers get one past Sergei Bobrovsky for first goal in Stanley Cup Final
Senators linked to two of the top goaltenders on the NHL trade market
Hurricanes reportedly looking to fill vacant GM role internally
Stars' Jim Nill wins NHL GM of the Year award for second straight season
Dallas, Matt Duchene have mutual interest in a contract extension
Florida Panthers News / Florida Hockey Now / June 10
Florida Panthers Defenseman Niko Mikkola ‘Built For’ the Playoffs

Florida Panthers Defenseman Niko Mikkola ‘Built For’ the Playoffs

FORT LAUDERDALE — Niko Mikkola was made for playoff hockey, one reason the Florida Panthers went after him last summer. The towering, 6-foot-5 defenseman brings an added sense of size, physicality and unlikely speed to the Florida Panthers blue line and certainly helped Florida make the Stanley Cup Final for the second consecutive year.

Florida Panthers News / Florida Hockey Now / February 12, 2024
Niko Mikkola: A Great Addition to the Florida Panthers

Niko Mikkola: A Great Addition to the Florida Panthers

FORT LAUDERDALE — On the day Niko Mikkola signed A three-year contract with the Florida Panthers, general manager Bill Zito also inked three other free-agent defensemen.

Florida Panthers News / The Hockey Writers / December 14, 2023
Niko Mikkola Exceeding Expectations for Florida Panthers

Niko Mikkola Exceeding Expectations for Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers are making their presence known in the Atlantic Division this season. They currently sit in second place in the division with a record of 17-8-2 with 36 points, just three less than the leading Boston Bruins.

New York Rangers News / Yardbarker / March 28, 2023
Playoff-bound Rangers must focus on seeding, health

Playoff-bound Rangers must focus on seeding, health

The New York Rangers have clinched a playoff spot. Now what? With nine games left in the regular season, New York can move up in the standings while also getting key players healthy for the postseason.

Rangers’ Shesterkin Returning to Vezina Form
Ranking the five-year windows for all 32 NHL teams

Customize Your Newsletter

Yardbarker +

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Popular Quizzes

Can you name the active leaders in rushing yards in the NFL?

Can you name the 2024-25 NHL points leaders?

Can you name the players with at least 30 points and 20 rebounds in an NBA playoff game?

Can you name the most recent player to top 1,000 receiving yards in a season for every NFL franchise?

Can you name the youngest players with a 25/5/5 playoff game with 5 3's for each NBA franchise?

Can you name the 2024 MLB postseason saves leaders?

Today's Latest News

Pistons' Cade Cunningham comes alive in fourth quarter to stave off elimination vs. Knicks

Insider suggests four-time Pro Bowl option for Steelers if Aaron Rodgers doesn't sign

Steelers may have found another steal in UDFA pool as Pittsburgh lands an athletic freak

Cubs defeat Pirates with an impressive night at the plate

Watch: Pacers, Tyrese Haliburton eliminate the Bucks in OT

Spurs' Stephon Castle runs away with Rookie of the Year Award

Watch: Yankees open game with three straight home runs ... again

Five reasons why the Rockies have been historically bad in 2025