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The Florida Panthers’ Game 4 victory has been overshadowed by a controversial hit from defenseman Aaron Ekblad on Tampa Bay Lightning forward Brandon Hagel. The incident has sparked widespread reaction across the NHL community. Tampa Bay head coach Jon Cooper said he was tired of talking about a hit every game, but others have been much more vocal.
In a tense and increasingly hostile playoff series, emotions boiled over when Ekblad delivered a high forearm shiver to Hagel, sending him down the tunnel. Despite the dangerous and seemingly intentional nature of the hit, no penalty was assessed on the play — a decision that left many, including Cooper, stunned.
The retaliation appeared to stem from Hagel’s late hit on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov in Game 3, for which Hagel was suspended one game. However, Ekblad’s response has sparked a fierce debate about player safety and officiating in this year’s postseason.
Former NHL defenseman Chris Pronger weighed in on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “Have seen this forearm shiver a number of times but usually not from this position. I would need more angles but this looks like a forearm to the chin. And completely in Ekblad’s control to avoid the head. The fact there was NO penalty is a tough look. Might get a DoPS call.”
Analyst Justin Bourne of Sportsnet also criticized the hit, saying, “I think it’s a bad hit,” and speculated Ekblad could face a two-game suspension.
Are the playoffs getting out of control?
The "2 Mutts Hockey Podcast" revealed they spoke with seven active playoff players who expressed frustration with officiating.
“The refs are becoming a huge part of who wins on a nightly basis because of the calls they miss & the bad calls they are calling,” they wrote. “Players don’t know what game they are going to be playing in.”
Ryan Whitney, never one to hold back, wrote, “I can not believe Florida won that game. Ekblad could have been kicked out … What the hell did we just watch?”
This is not the only series that has gotten nasty. Fighting on the bench between the Montreal Canadiens and Washington Capitals might be the most viral moment of the first round thus far.
Despite the controversy, Ekblad stayed in the game and played a pivotal role in the Panthers’ comeback. Florida scored twice in 11 seconds — mirroring Tampa Bay’s earlier rally.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety has yet to announce whether discipline will be handed down, but all eyes will be on how the league responds.
More must-reads:
- Stanley Cup playoffs takeaways: Controversial hit could lead to Aaron Ekblad suspension
- Watch: Panthers stun Lightning with two goals in 11 seconds to take 3-1 series lead
- The 'No. 1 overall draft picks in NHL history' quiz
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How the Canadiens’ Patience Turned a Rebuild Into a Playoff Push
The Montreal Canadiens aren’t just turning a corner—they’re already halfway down the street. After years of laying the groundwork, they’ve reached a point where a playoff spot isn’t a pipe dream; it’s an expectation. Heading into the 2025–26 season, there’s a new energy around the team. This is no longer a franchise in the patient, quiet phase of a rebuild. They’re entering the competitive stage, ready to challenge the Atlantic Division’s heavyweights. With a core of homegrown talent, shrewd trades, and a few well-timed veteran additions, Montreal has shifted from “up-and-coming” to “a problem for opponents.” Plenty of teams talk about taking the next step. The difference is that the Canadiens have already begun their climb. The Canadiens Are an Example of Patience to Progress The Canadiens’ surprise playoff berth last season came just three years into their rebuild—a much faster turnaround than most predicted. That kind of leap doesn’t happen by luck. It comes from a deliberate plan, executed with discipline, and a willingness to adapt when circumstances change. General manager Kent Hughes has been the architect of this transformation since assuming the role. Every move, whether bold or subtle, has served a purpose. Montreal’s ahead of schedule, and that’s not a coincidence—it’s a testament to a clear, consistent vision. Kent Hughes’ Blueprint: Bold but Calculated When Hughes arrived, he didn’t promise miracles. He promised a proper build—no shortcuts, no “win-now-at-all-costs” gambles. But that didn’t mean moving slowly. Instead, he’s found ways to accelerate the process without undermining long-term stability. His philosophy is simple: build through the draft, but be ready to strike when the right player becomes available. The Noah Dobson trade is the perfect example. Hughes sent two first-round picks to the New York Islanders for a 25-year-old, right-shot defenseman who can quarterback a power play and eat big minutes. That’s not just a win-now gamble—it’s a move for a player who aligns with the team’s age curve and identity. The Logan Mailloux-for-Zachary Bolduc swap fits the same pattern. These weren’t random transactions. They were calculated upgrades made with the belief that Montreal’s young core was ready for meaningful reinforcements. And when the Canadiens went on their late-season surge last year, Hughes made another key decision—he stood pat at the deadline. Instead of flipping expiring contracts for picks, he backed the group he had. That sent a clear message to the locker room: management believes in you. Culture Is More Than a Buzzword in Montreal One of Hughes’ quieter successes has been building a team culture that feels genuine. It’s easy for executives to talk about “values” and “identity,” but the Canadiens have made it real. Players notice when they’re respected, supported, and trusted to play their game. That matters—especially in Montreal, where media pressure and fan expectations can be intense. Creating an environment where players want to stay is a competitive advantage, and it’s starting to show in free agency. In a league with a hard salary cap, where you can’t just buy your way out of mistakes, culture helps bridge the gap. It’s the thing that keeps players invested and committed to the team’s long-term vision. Martin St. Louis’ Modern Hockey Has Reshaped the Canadiens’ Style Behind the bench, head coach Martin St. Louis has reshaped Montreal’s style of play into something fast, skilled, and dangerous. Since taking over in 2022, he’s transformed a raw, developing roster into one of the league’s more exciting teams to watch. Forget dump-and-chase—this is a puck-possession team. St. Louis wants speed through the middle, quick transitions, and creativity in the offensive zone. Mistakes aren’t punished with benchings—they’re treated as learning moments. This approach has allowed players such as Nick Suzuki to flourish. The addition of Ivan Demidov and Bolduc adds even more offensive depth, while Dobson and Lane Hutson give the Canadiens the puck-moving blueliners needed to push the pace from the back end. It’s a style of hockey designed not only to win games, but also to develop skills and confidence over time. And it’s paying off. The most striking part of Montreal’s current rise is the unity between the front office, coaching staff, and players. Hughes is building for sustained success. St. Louis is coaching to win now, without mortgaging the future. And the players are buying in fully. This kind of alignment is rare in pro sports. It means every decision—from a draft pick to a midseason call-up—serves the same overall purpose. That’s how you build something that lasts. What Comes Next for the Canadiens? The Canadiens aren’t a finished product. They’ll need to navigate the tricky balance between developing their young stars and adding the right veterans to support them. The Atlantic Division is loaded, and staying competitive won’t be easy. But for the first time in years, Montreal isn’t just trying to claw its way into the conversation. They’re part of it. And if they can keep building without losing their identity, this group could be a legitimate contender sooner than anyone expected. For fans in Montreal, this is the payoff for the patience shown through the lean years. The journey isn’t over, but the days of hoping for lottery luck are gone. The Canadiens are in the fight again—and this time, they look ready to stay there. [Note: I’d like to thank Brent Bradford (PhD) for his help co-authoring this post. His profile can be found at www.linkedin.com/in/brent-bradford-phd-3a10022a9]
Oregon suspends former five-star WR recruit indefinitely
Oregon wide receiver Jurrion Dickey has struggled to live up to expectations in his first two seasons with the Ducks, and he is now in a terrible position heading into 2025 as well. Dickey has been suspended indefinitely by Oregon, head coach Dan Lanning announced on Tuesday. Lanning also suggested that Dickey may not play for the Ducks again. "We have two team rules; that’s respectful, be on time,” Lanning said, via James Crepea of The Oregonian. “There’s some pieces of that where I felt like he needed a break from us and we needed a break from that so we could focus on what’s in front of us right now. "Wishing him nothing but the best, as far as success and want to see him get back to where he can be a contributor somewhere; that might be here that might be somewhere else.” Dickey was a five-star recruit and rated as one of the top wide receivers in the country when he came out of Menlo-Atherton High School in Atherton, California, in 2023. He suffered an injury in his senior year in high school and redshirted as a freshman at Oregon. Dickey has two catches for 14 years during his time with the Ducks. Oregon went 13-1 in Lanning's third season with the program last season. The Ducks lost to eventual national champion Ohio State in the College Football Playoff quarterfinals.
Nuggets Receive Huge Russell Westbrook News During NBA Offseason
It has been a busy offseason for the Denver Nuggets as they have reshaped their roster around their core of Nikola Jokic, Jamal Murray and Aaron Gordon after being eliminated in the second round of the playoffs for the second consecutive season. Denver began their offseason by trading Michael Porter Jr. to the Brooklyn Nets for Cameron Johnson in a trade that not only landed them a three-point sharpshooter in Johnson but also helped free up cap space. With the extra cap space, the Nuggets signed Bruce Brown and Tim Hardaway Jr. in free agency and they also acquired Jonas Valanciunas from the Sacramento Kings. By making these moves, the Nuggets have been able to upgrade their bench, which was a massive issue for them last season. While the Nuggets clearly had the goal to upgrade their depth this offseason, one of their key players from last season will reportedly not be returning next season. Russell Westbrook not expected to return to Nuggets According to ESPN’s Tim MacMahon, Russell Westbrook is set to sign with a new team this summer in free agency as he will not be returning to Denver. “It appears that Westbrook, who spent the first 11 years of his career with the Oklahoma City Thunder, will play for his sixth franchise in seven seasons. He won't be returning to the Denver Nuggets after a roller coaster season in which Westbrook finished seventh in the Sixth Man of the Year voting,” MacMahon wrote. This is a massive report by MacMahon, but also one that is not a major surprise as it appeared as though the Nuggets were not interested in bringing back the former NBA MVP. Of course, Westbrook played a key role for the Nuggets last season both off the bench and in the starting lineup, though his minutes were cut at the end of the season after Denver fired former head coach Michael Malone and replaced him with David Adelman. With Westbrook now unlikely to return to Denver for next season, MacMahon mentioned in his report that the Sacramento Kings are viewed as the favorites to sign him, though there should be other teams that also show interest in adding the veteran guard to their roster next season.
NASCAR makes decision on victory celebrations after Connor Zilisch fall
One of NASCAR's brightest young stars in Connor Zilisch could miss time after falling in Victory Lane following his victory in the Aug. 9 NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen. Zilisch slipped on the door of his No. 88 Chevrolet before suffering a hard fall in Victory Lane and breaking his collarbone. He underwent successful surgery on Tuesday, with a timetable for his return yet to be announced. Even in light of the viral incident, NASCAR will not restrict drivers from celebrating in a certain way moving forward, per NASCAR's Mike Forde. Drivers have long climbed on the roof or door of their vehicles on the frontstretch and in Victory Lane to celebrate victories, but accidents stemming from that action are rare. After winning the Cup Series race at Watkins Glen on Aug. 10, Shane van Gisbergen — who will likely be Zilisch's Cup Series teammate at Trackhouse Racing in 2026 — carefully climbed out of his No. 88 Chevrolet — something he does regularly, not just in response to Zilisch's fall. Zilisch did not race in the Cup Series race at Watkins Glen due to his injury. The Xfinity Series will return on Aug. 22 at Daytona International Speedway, with Zilisch leading the regular-season standings by seven points.
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