Weekly Wraparound 19: Tracking Stanley, Offseason Updates, and Honoring the Gaudreau Brothers
Welcome back to the Weekly Wraparound, your headquarters for all things Panthers. Here, we eagerly anticipate every puck drop and ensure that style takes the spotlight at center ice.
I'm Kassi Coviello, and I'm inviting you to lace up your skates as we rally around the electrifying wins, penalty kill the challenging lows, and break down every exhilarating moment in between!
Where’s Stanley? Updating You on Where The Stanley Cup Has Been Spotted!
The Stanley Cup has been busy this past week! Check out where the Stanley Cup has been spotted!
Vladimir Tarasenko enjoyed his day with the Stanley Cup in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Tarasenko brought the Cup to the Broward Health Medical Center where he and his family met with patients and staff. In addition, the Tarasenko family donated $10,000 to the hospital.
Teddy Richards, the Florida Panthers Head Equipment Manager, enjoyed his day with the Stanley Cup in South Florida. This marks Richards' second Stanley Cup championship; he previously served as the Assistant Equipment Manager for the Pittsburgh Penguins during their 2015-16 championship season. Richards spent the day on the water, with the Sheriff's Office escorting the Cup.
The Stanley Cup is back on Fort Lauderdale Beach!
Stanley C. Panther enjoys a moment with the Stanley Cup.
Around the NHL: What’s New This Offseason
The St. Louis Blues have launched their version of CapFriendly, called BluesFriendly, where fans can stay up-to-date with the contract details and status of Blues players. Check it out here.
Seth Jarvis signed an eight-year contract with the Carolina Hurricanes worth $63.2 million, averaging $7.9 million per year. However, the contract is structured uniquely where the Hurricanes absorb a cap hit of $7.42 million over each of the eight years instead of the full $7.9 million. To review Jarvis’s contract, check out the PuckPedia page here.
Leon Draisaitl signed an eight-year, $112 million contract with the Edmonton Oilers, averaging $14 million per year. The $14M cap hit makes Draisaitl the highest-paid player in the NHL, while his $112 million contract becomes the second-highest in league history, trailing only Alex Ovechkin's 13-year, $124 million deal signed in January 2008.
Nick Cousins signed a one-year contract with the Ottawa Senators worth $800,000.
The Toronto Maple Leafs are expected to offer Steven Lorentz a PTO (professional tryout offer) according to Elliotte Friedman via X.
Remembering the Gaudreau Brothers: Johnny and Matthew
Last week, Johnny Gaudreau and his brother Matthew were tragically killed by a drunk driver while riding their bikes in New Jersey.
Johnny Gaudreau spent nine seasons with the Calgary Flames and two with the Columbus Blue Jackets, appearing in 763 games and scoring 243 goals for a total of 743 points. He also won the Lady Byng Trophy in 2017, which is awarded to the league’s most gentlemanly player.
The Columbus Blue Jackets and Calgary Flames will each hold a candlelight vigil to remember Johnny and Matthew Gaudreau. The vigil in Columbus will take place Wednesday, September 4th at 7:30 p.m. ET outside Nationwide Arena, featuring remarks from the Blue Jackets organization and 13:21 of silent remembrance, honoring Johnny’s No. 13 and Matthew’s No. 21. A similar ceremony will be held in Calgary at 10 p.m. ET outside the Scotiabank Saddledome.
To learn more about the Gaudreau brothers, read this article from the NHL.