2025 Stanley Cup anthem drama: Oilers stick with tradition as Panthers face backlash over botched performance
2025 Stanley Cup anthem drama (Getty Images)
As the Florida Panthers and Edmonton Oilers prepare to battle for the 2025 Stanley Cup, a quieter but deeply symbolic tradition takes center stage before the puck even drops: the national anthems.
With teams from both Canada and the U.S. vying for hockey's highest honor, the dual performances of 'O Canada' and 'The Star-Spangled Banner' set the emotional tone—and fan expectations are sky-high.
Robert Clark leads Rogers Place with a people-first performance that stirs emotion and unity
For the first two games in Edmonton, longtime anthem performer Robert Clark will once again step into the stands, not the spotlight. This marks his 12th season with the Oilers, and he's earned respect not just for his vocal prowess but for turning the anthem into a shared fan experience.
'When we first started doing it in 2017, we came together and thought that this would be an awesome tribute, but also let's make it our own and put me in the crowd,' Clark told The Edmonton Journal. And while Canadian protocol usually puts 'O Canada' first, Clark sings the U.S. anthem before Canada's—energizing the crowd with each note. Oilers forward Evander Kane noted, 'A Canadian crowd always has a little extra energy and buzz, and the anthem's the last thing before the puck drops… He does a great job doing that.
'
Panthers face anthem backlash as fans await confirmation of this year's singer
Things are murkier in Florida, where the Game 3 anthem singer remains a mystery. After backlash from fans over The Voice Season 27 winner Adam David's underwhelming playoff performance, the pressure is on. His slow tempo and unclear lyrics drew criticism and frustration during a crucial Eastern Conference Final matchup.
With past performances by talents like Alanis Morissette and Brooke Alexx still fresh in fans' minds, the bar is high. Will the Panthers opt for redemption with a powerhouse vocalist like Pranysqa Mishra or VËR, or gamble on a new face?
Also Read:
'A beautiful beginning': Connor McDavid shows unwavering support for wife Lauren Kyle's Trove Living launch before NHL Finals
As anthem tradition clashes with modern performance expectations, one thing is clear: this year's singers could set the emotional temperature for the Finals—before a single shot is taken.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
'We were having too much fun': Bill Belichick reacts to podcast clip revealing why Tyler Seguin's Bruins exit still gets laughs
Bill Belichick reacts to podcast clip revealing why Tyler Seguin's Bruins exit still gets laughs (Imager via Getty) A funny moment from a recent podcast episode has fans talking. Former New England Patriots wide receiver Julian Edelman joked on Thursday, June 6, 2025, that renowned coach Bill Belichick could have influenced Tyler Seguin's departure from the Boston Bruins. The narrative arose on the podcast "Dudes on Dudes," co-hosted by Edelman with former Patriots teammate Rob Gronkowski. Julian Edelman says Tyler Seguin was 'influencing' Patriots players Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski were talking about their time in Boston during a podcast recorded on June 6. They discussed their off-field friendship with the N.H.L. player Tyler Seguin, who played for the Boston Bruins from 2010 to 2013. 'We were having too much fun,' Julian Edelman said with a laugh. 'I think Coach Belichick had him traded because he was influencing us.' The remark was obviously a wisecrack, but it played on ancient gossip. For all the trade whispers that existed about Tyler Seguin, he had caused the Dallas Stars no problems since being sent from the Boston Bruins in July 2013. Despite a report that linked the Bruins to having to trade the forward because of behavior away from the rink and one more that the Bruins tried to get Seguin back at the trade deadline. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Luzimangues: Quanto vale a sua casa? Descubra agora! Valor da casa | Anúncios de pesquisa Saiba Mais Undo Seguin, who was selected by Boston in 2010, won a Stanley Cup in his rookie season with the team. Julian Edelman and Rob Gronkowski, known for enjoying the nightlife during their NFL careers, admitted they often hung out with Seguin. Their stories added humor and context to the idea that the young hockey star may have had a little too much fun with his football friends in Boston. Also Read: Marco Sturm Officially Named As Boston Bruins' 30th Head Coach Tyler Seguin's big moment after leaving Boston Tyler Seguin quickly established himself with the Dallas Stars after being moved in 2013. One of his greatest moments was his hat-trick game against the Boston Bruins. Remembering that evening, Rob Gronkowski and Julian Edelman noted Seguin "made a statement." Seguin only appeared in 20 regular-season games during the 2024–25 NHL season. Most of the season, he missed because of a left hip injury. December 2024 brought surgical treatment for a torn labrum and femoral acetabular impingement. Before the playoffs, he produced 12 assists and nine goals. Seguin had four assists and four goals in 18 playoff games in 2025. He finished the season with a strong presence, helping the Stars on their postseason run. In his NHL career so far, he has played 989 games and scored 809 points. His trade may have been years ago, but Tyler Seguin's legacy—and the stories around it—are still remembered.
Time of India
39 minutes ago
- Time of India
'LeBron did it in Cleveland': Draymond Green and Shaquille O'Neal torch big-market myth after Tyrese Haliburton's clutch Game 1 stirs debate — Stephen A. Smith pushes back
Images via Getty Images Does a superstar really need the spotlight of New York or Los Angeles to become the face of the NBA? That question has sparked a wave of debate across the league. When and where a player rises used to matter — but today, names like Giannis Antetokounmpo, Nikola Jokic, and Tyrese Haliburton are flipping the narrative. And some of the league's most vocal minds — Shaquille O'Neal and Draymond Green — are drawing a firm line: true greatness doesn't wait for a big market invite. It builds its own stage. Draymond Green and Shaquille O'Neal say greatness defines a true NBA superstar, not market size The long-standing belief that superstars must thrive in major media markets to reach iconic status is being challenged by some of the league's most experienced voices. Shaquille O'Neal lit the fuse during an appearance on the 'Good Word with Goodwill' podcast. 'You go to L.A., that's 50% of your contract goes to taxes,' Shaq said. 'More pressure, more articles, and more stress… Social media is the market now.' The Lakers legend, who made the move from Orlando to Los Angeles in 1996, isn't speaking from theory — he lived the contrast. But his message is that the NBA's power map has shifted, thanks to social media and changing media dynamics. 'When I was coming up, it was a small market. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Mengapa tiket pesawat ke Singapura lebih murah dari penerbangan domestik? ini jawaban Menhub CNA Indonesia Baca Undo You're too small. You probably need to go to a big market. But now every market is the same,' he added. Golden State's Draymond Green echoed those thoughts on 'The Draymond Green Show with Baron Davis' and Shaun Livingston. Green took the conversation further, pointing directly to today's most dominant stars. 'I know for sure [market size] doesn't matter because LeBron James became the face of the NBA in Cleveland, Ohio,' Green said. 'And that's not a big market by any stretch of the imagination. I think you have to be that great.' Tyrese Haliburton game-winner REACTION: Pacers-Thunder Game 1 w/ Shaun Livingston | Draymond & Baron Green, never shy to stir the pot, emphasized that the scrutiny and pressure people associate with major cities doesn't magically disappear in smaller markets. 'The same pressure those guys get when they're playing in those cities, LeBron James got that pressure in Cleveland,' he explained. 'If he didn't win, there's noise. 'He can't do it no more.'' He didn't stop there. Green listed off Giannis Antetokounmpo , Nikola Jokic , and Luka Doncic as proof points. 'Giannis has become Giannis in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. [Nikola Jokic] has become Joker in Denver, Colorado. Luka didn't become this Luka when he went to L.A. Luka became that in Dallas.' Each, in his view, is a product of performance, not zip code. Meanwhile, ESPN's Stephen A. Smith offered a more cautious stance. Speaking on First Take, Smith said, 'Market size matters to certain stars, no question about it — not every star.' He suggested that only truly transcendent players, like Shaq, can bypass the traditional big-market boost. But even Stephen A. acknowledged that pressure often comes more from expectations tied to legacy than from locale. And that brings us to a new name on the rise — Tyrese Haliburton. Haliburton, playing in Indiana, has delivered one of the most clutch playoff runs in recent memory. As of June 5, he's hit game-tying or go-ahead shots in four separate rounds — something neither Michael Jordan nor LeBron James accomplished as quickly. In 89 clutch minutes this postseason, Haliburton has racked up a jaw-dropping 8-to-1 assist-to-turnover ratio and pushed Indiana to an 88.9% win rate in tight games. His performances haven't gone unnoticed. Not even by Shaq, who, after Haliburton's game-winner against Oklahoma City in Game 1 of the NBA Finals, was momentarily speechless. Also Read: LeBron James raves about Tyrese Haliburton ahead of Indiana Pacers vs. Oklahoma City Thunder Finals for first-ever NBA title From Cleveland to Milwaukee, from Denver to Dallas, and now in Indiana, today's superstars are proving that market size might just be an outdated measuring stick. Draymond Green and Shaquille O'Neal are making it clear: if you're great enough, the world will watch no matter where you play. In the age of highlights, hashtags, and real-time takes, the market isn't a place — it's a presence. And Tyrese Haliburton, right now, is becoming that presence.
Time of India
40 minutes ago
- Time of India
Tom Brady's new dad era sparks buzz: Is he becoming the man Gisele Bündchen always wanted and begged for?
Tom Brady, now retired, is prioritizing family time, traveling Europe with his children (Getty Images) Tom Brady may be retired from football, but he's showing no signs of slowing down—unless it's to spend more quality time with his kids. The NFL legend, now 47, is shifting his focus from Super Bowl rings to street art, travel, and fatherhood. And his latest family-filled adventures have sparked fresh speculation: is this softer, more present version of Brady winning hearts—including that of his ex-wife, Gisele Bündchen? Tom Brady is embracing fatherhood with new purpose Tom Brady has traded huddles and touchdowns for paint cans and museums. He's currently traveling across Europe with his children, Benjamin and Vivian, creating memories that are far removed from stadium lights and end zone dances. One standout moment from the trip? Father and son rocking graffiti gear and spray-painting murals together. 'Retirement's been a chance to slow down,' Brady wrote on social media. 'And enjoy life a little more. And that includes treating myself once in a while.' Beyond travel, Brady has been diving into his business ventures—owning a stake in the Las Vegas Raiders, launching CardVault for sports trading, and investing in Birmingham City soccer club and Gopuff. But even with an impressive post-NFL résumé, it's his family-first mindset that's drawing the most attention. Gisele Bündchen opens up—same story, different realities While Brady showcases a laid-back European summer with his kids, Gisele Bündchen recently opened up about the emotional toll of motherhood. The supermodel revealed the challenges she's faced as a parent, a refreshingly candid perspective that contrasts with the polished public image most associate with her. Her honesty struck a chord—and also underscored just how different her path has been since the couple's 2022 divorce. The Brazilian model is now in a relationship with Joaquim Valente, a jiu-jitsu instructor who was once a close family friend. The two reportedly share a child and have kept much of their relationship low-profile—especially compared to Brady's highly public life. Also Read: 'Parents are responsible': Tom Brady's ex-wife Gisele Bündchen sparked heavy outrage after blaming parents for eating disorders in the industry Fans can't help but notice the irony. Gisele reportedly ended the marriage due to Brady's unrelenting focus on football. But now, as he pours himself into fatherhood, some wonder if timing—or priorities—just didn't align back then. Is the new Tom Brady the partner Gisele once hoped for? Only time will tell. But one thing is clear: the GOAT isn't chasing rings anymore—he's chasing moments that matter.
