Somehow the New York Rangers worked their way into the raging party in South Florida as the Panthers continue to celebrate their second straight Stanley Cup championship.
Mind you, it wasn’t the Rangers doing, at least not in a direct sense.
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Instead, Brad Marchand, one of greatest agitators in NHL history, decided to troll the Rangers on social media. Marchand posted a photo of former Rangers defenseman Niko Mikkola holding up two fingers at what appears to be a team dinner with “THANKS @NYRANGERS” splashed over the picture.
Of course, no Rangers fan needs to be reminded that Mikkola redefined his career when he left New York after the 2022-23 season and signed with Florida as a free agent. In what seems like a flash, Mikkola transformed into a tough — physically and mentally — brute on the back end, a lineup staple during consecutive championship runs.
Give credit to both the Panthers staff and the player himself for the transformation that took place after he left the Rangers. Though, it should be noted that Mikkola was somewhat of a pleasant surprise on Broadway when the Rangers acquired him along with Vladimir Tarasenko from the St. Louis Blues ahead of the 2023 NHL Trade Deadline.
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But really, it’d be a stretch to say anyone saw what was coming in Florida. Right time. Right place.
Bringing it full circle, Marchand’s earned the right to do all the chirping and trolling he wants these days after the 37-year-old finished third on the Panthers with 10 goals in the postseason, including five in the six-game Stanley Cup Final win against the Edmonton Oilers.
That wasn’t Mikkola trolling his former team. Just Marchand doing what Marchand does.
And lest you believe the Rangers were his only target, Marchand called out one of New York’s biggest rivals, as well.
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New York Rangers news
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Pierre McGuire firmly believes the Rangers defense corps will improve dramatically next season with assistant David Quinn in charge.
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Though their roster is far from that of the rugged Panthers, the Rangers do have the makings of an emerging and impactful identity line with Matt Rempe, Sam Carrick and Adam Edstrom.
The Rangers re-signed Matthew Robertson to a two-year contract Friday, another piece of offseason business taken care of.
If you somehow missed it, Rempe signed a two-year contract to stay with the Rangers the other day, as well.
Speaking of Rempe, it says here that the Rangers have a budding identity line potentially with him, Sam Carrick and Adam Edstrom.
So what exactly was it Rangers legend Henrik Lundqvist said on TNT that makes him “miss the game so much”?
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Our Eric Charles looked ahead to the second round of the NHL Draft and two unique talents the Rangers may consider when they select at No. 43 overall. Charles also broke down the games of rugged forward prospects Mason West and Jack Murtagh as possible second-round picks.
NHL news and rumors
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Daily Faceoff: It might’ve been a bit alcohol fueled, but Conn Smythe Trophy winner and pending UFA Sam Bennett told a raucous crowd in South Florida that “I ain’t f—ing leaving” the Panthers.
Sportsnaut: Connor McDavid helped fuel the NHL rumors mill by telling the media there’s “no rush” to decide his future with the Edmonton Oilers as he enters the final season of his contract and could become a UFA at the end of the 2025-26 campaign.
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TSN: McDavid also broke — no pun intended — the news that teammate Ryan Nugent-Hopkins played with a broken hand in the Stanley Cup Final.
Daily Faceoff: Restricted free agent Evan Bouchard made it clear that he wishes to re-sign with the Oilers, saying “I want to be here” on Thursday.
Sportsnet: Reportedly, Jonathan Toews is on the verge of agreeing to a contract with his hometown Winnipeg Jets to return to the NHL after two years away.
NHL.com: The Seattle Kraken acquired forward Mason Marchment in a trade with the Dallas Stars for two mid-round draft picks.
TSN: The Stars moved Marchment after they re-signed pending UFA Matt Duchene to a four-year, $18 million contract.
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Pittsburgh Hockey Now: (Briefly) former Rangers forward Nick Bonino announced his retirement from the NHL and then was named an assistant under Dan Muse on the Pittsburgh Penguins coaching staff.
NYI Hockey Now: Did Noah Dobson really ask for $11 million annually in contract negotiations with the New York Islanders?
The Athletic ($$): A breakdown of which teams should have interest in RFA defenseman Bowen Byram if he’s traded by the Buffalo Sabres. Yes, the Rangers are included.
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