Latest news with #NateSchmidt
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
Know Your Enemy, Sabres Central Edition: Will Mammoth Maul Buffalo As Utah Seeks First Playoff Appearance?
The NHL's off-season rolls on, and every day brings with it more hockey talk. And in this ongoing series, we here at the Sabres site are focusing on the Buffalo Sabres' 2025-26 regular-season schedule -- and specifically, Sabres opponents who could get in the way of Buffalo's Stanley Cup playoff aspirations. We started this series looking at the Sabres' Atlantic Division rivals, followed by the Metropolitan Division's teams. In recent days, we've been breaking down Buffalo's Central Division rivals. And today, we're focused on the Utah Mammoth. NEW MAMMOTH PLAYERS: J.J. Peterka, LW; Brandon Tanev, LW; Nate Schmidt, D; Vitek Vanecek, G 2024-25 SERIES: Sabres 0-2-0, Utah 2-0-0 2025-26 GAMES AGAINST EACH OTHER: November 4 at Buffalo; November 12 at Utah CAN THE SABRES BEAT THIS TEAM? For a few reasons, the Sabres/Mammoth rivalry has the potential for some good times, as both teams are connected to each other for different reasons. For starters, Utah's logo is rather similar to one of Buffalo's old logos. More importantly, one of the biggest trades of the summer saw Utah acquire Peterka from Buffalo -- and Peterka is just what the Mammoth need to get to that next competitive level. If that trade had been all of what Utah GM Bill Armstrong did this summer, you'd still say the Mammoth had a solid off-season. But he also signed former Winnipeg Jets winger Tanev to improve his team's fourth line, and he signed Stanley Cup-winner Schmidt away from the Florida Panthers to bolster Utah's third defense pairing. (Armstrong also signed veteran goalie Vanecek, who will begin the year as Utah's third goalie. If he's needed, something has gone horribly awry for the Mammoth.) Know Your Enemy, Sabres Central Edition: Are Boosted Blues Bound To Beat Buffalo? The Buffalo Sabres are facing enormous pressure to end their 14-year Stanley Cup playoff drought next season, and it's not hyperbole to say that the Sabres can't afford so much as a single off-night if they're going to be a playoff team. Every game really counts, and Buffalo needs to beat many above-average squads if they're going to earn a playoff berth in the highly-competitive Atlantic Division. All-in-all, the Mammoth have to be considered a better team than they were last season. And that's bad news if Buffalo doesn't have its ducks in a row when the two teams square off against each other twice in little more than a single week in early November. Indeed, if Utah comes out of the gate and stuns the Sabres in their first game November 4 in Buffalo, the Sabres will have only have eight days to figure out how to fight back for Round 2, as the Mammoth get a home game against Buffalo to finish up the series. That's somewhat of a shame, as it would've been fun to have at least one game between them near the end of the season, when it's likely that both Utah and the Sabres will be fighting for a wild card berth in their respective conferences. Still, it's going to be intriguing to see how that first game plays out. Last season, Utah won both games handily against the Sabres, beating Buffalo by a 5-2 score in both games. And the second game in the series came March 20, when both teams should've been in hot pursuit of a playoff spot. Instead, the Sabres were well out of playoff contention by then, and Utah wound up missing a playoff berth by eight standings points. So it was more misery for franchises accustomed to it. Know Your Enemy, Sabres Central Edition: Will Buffalo Sweep Series Vs. Sub-Par Nashville Predators Next Season? The NHL's 2025-26 schedule has been out for a while now, and Buffalo Sabres site has been analyzing every team the Sabres will take on next season. We've worked our way through the Eastern Conference teams, and we're currently focusing on the Central Division teams. And in today's file, we're turning our attention to the Nashville Predators. It hasn't been easy for either of these teams to put memorable seasons together, and that's another reason why we see a link between the Mammoth and Sabres. They've languished and labored time and again, but as is custom at this time of year, hope springs eternal, and who knows -- there might be a world in which both Buffalo and Utah are both playing playoff games in the same season. The Sabres can't afford to lose both games to the Mammoth this year. A split would be acceptable, and anything more than that would be a positive. But if Buffalo plays with an urgency to their game, they have the manpower to answer back for last season's failures and shock the Mammoth into submission.
Time of India
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Allie Schmidt looks back at Florida Panthers' record Stanley Cup evening, sharing behind-the-scenes family memories
Florida Panthers defenseman Nate Schmidt's wife, Allie Schmidt, gave a humorous and touching recount of the team's historic Stanley Cup night, which she attended despite being heavily pregnant. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now From juggling childcare to celebrating the victory, Allie gave fans a rare look into the daily life of a championship push. Florida Panthers' Nate Schmidt and wife Allie celebrate milestone win with glee, chaos, and priceless photo ops. Florida Panthers' Nate Schmidt and wife Allie celebrate milestone victory with joy and treasured photo ops The Florida Panthers won their first Stanley Cup title this season, with Nate Schmidt starring in their playoff journey. For Allie, winning came with smiles, laughter, and photos she'll cherish for a lifetime. Even though she was pregnant in the final stages during the Stanley Cup Final, Allie Schmidt ensured that she was there for every moment—much thanks, she said, to her in-laws' timely assistance. 'And so, really trying to just lean into that, and just understand the specialness of it, too. Of being like, 'Okay, I don't care how pregnant I am, I'm going to everything, we're going to figure out a way,' thank God for my in-laws that week, and child care help. But it was, yeah, the most tired I think we've ever been,' she said. The pair attended the Panthers' after-championship party at the iconic Elbo Room, where Allie jokingly admitted she wasn't nearly as crazy as Nate Schmidt but otherwise reveled in the moment. 'Definitely a few drinks deep,' Allie laughed. 'Non-pregnant Allie is not quite at Nate's level, but definitely would have been having some fun.' Allie also remembered a time when she worried the night would fall into disarray. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now 'I was like, this is totally going to be a disaster," she explained. "And sure enough, it only took like 20 minutes and I had people sending me videos of Nate attempting to get in. He was not even that drunk walking in." Favorite memory from the ice: A championship photo worth framing For Allie Schmidt, the one photo of championship night that stands out from the rest is one strong image of Nate Schmidt cradling the Stanley Cup on the ice. 'We have one actually of Nate and I in the locker room, which is really fun. Harvey did go home, so we got to stay," she shared. The moment shared by the couple in the locker room, out of camera sight, made the moment even more intimate—a celebration of years of commitment, grit, and family backing. Also read: As the Florida Panthers' on-ice victories made the front pages, Allie Schmidt's lighthearted yet sincere report adds depth to the championship story. From managing pregnancy fatigue to sharing a long-awaited hug with her husband, her reportage reveals to us the intimate sacrifices and low-key joys that so often unfold off-stage. To the Schmidt family, the 2025 Stanley Cup wasn't just a franchise win — it was a milestone that was full of legacy, laughter, and love.
New York Times
01-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Nate Schmidt signs 3-year contract with Mammoth after Stanley Cup run
The Utah Mammoth signed free agent defenseman Nate Schmidt to a three-year contract, the team announced Tuesday. The deal has an annual cap hit of $3.5 million. Schmidt is fresh off a stellar postseason with three goals and nine assists in 23 playoff games, helping the Florida Panthers to their second consecutive Stanley Cup title. His 12 points ranked fourth among defensemen in the playoffs, and were only seven shy of his regular-season total across 80 games. Advertisement The 33-year-old blueliner had a bounce-back season in 2024-25 after he had his contract bought out by the Winnipeg Jets last summer. Following that, he signed a one-year deal worth $800,000 with Florida, becoming a regular in the lineup and making major contributions in the postseason. His ice time has dwindled over the last two seasons but he has been a reliable, smooth-skating defender for over a decade in the NHL. Schmidt has played for five different teams – Washington, Vegas, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Florida – during his 12-year NHL career. He has 52 goals and 187 assists, and became the first St. Cloud, Minn., native to win the Stanley Cup.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Capitals sign Justin Sourdif and the Kings trade Jordan Spence to the Senators
FILE - Florida Panthers right wing Justin Sourdif (24) celebrates after scoring against the Nashville Predators during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis, File) FILE - Florida Panthers right wing Justin Sourdif (24) is congratulated by defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) after scoring against the Nashville Predators during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis, File) FILE - Florida Panthers right wing Justin Sourdif (24) is congratulated by defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) after scoring against the Nashville Predators during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis, File) FILE - Florida Panthers right wing Justin Sourdif (24) celebrates after scoring against the Nashville Predators during the second period of an NHL hockey game Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis, File) FILE - Florida Panthers right wing Justin Sourdif (24) is congratulated by defenseman Nate Schmidt (88) after scoring against the Nashville Predators during the second period of an NHL hockey game, Tuesday, Feb. 25, 2025, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/John Amis, File) The Washington Capitals signed a young forward they got from the back-to-back Stanley Cup champion Florida Panthers, a young defenseman is getting a fresh start and a couple of Canadian teams re-signed veteran players on Saturday. Washington signed forward Justin Sourdif for $1.65 million over two years after sending a second-round pick to Florida for the minor leaguer with four games of NHL experience. Sourdif, 23, scored a goal in his lone call-up this past season and had 10 points in 18 games on the Charlotte Checkers' run to the American Hockey League's Calder Cup Finals. Advertisement The Capitals are hoping Sourdif, making just over the league minimum at $825,000 annually, fills a hole on their second or third line. There was no room for upward mobility for Sourdif, especially after the Panthers signed playoff MVP Sam Bennett to an eight-year, $64 million contract and could bring back winger Brad Marchand. While hosting the draft in Los Angeles, the Kings traded 24-year-old D-man Jordan Spence to Ottawa for the 67th pick and Colorado's sixth-rounder in 2026. Buffalo also sent Connor Clifton and a second-round pick to Pittsburgh for Conor Timmins and Isaac Beliveau. North of the border, the Calgary Flames extended 6-foot-6 Kevin Bahl to a six-year deal worth just over $32 million, while the Winnipeg Jets shored up their blue line depth by giving Haydn Fleury $1.9 million over the next two seasons. Bahl will count $5.35 million against the salary cap through 2030-31. ___ AP NHL:
Yahoo
22-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Former Vancouver Canucks Goaltender Roberto Luongo Discusses Florida Panthers' 2025 Stanley Cup Win
With the Florida Panthers' 5–1 win in Game 6 of the 2025 Stanley Cup Finals, former Vancouver Canucks goaltender Roberto Luongo is officially a two-time Stanley Cup champion. He, along with former Canucks Jonah Gadjovich and Nate Schmidt, won the championship after four grueling playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning, Toronto Maple Leafs, Carolina Hurricanes, and Edmonton Oilers. This is Luongo's second Stanley Cup in as many years, as he and the Panthers also won against the Oilers in the 2023–24 season. Prior to that, he and the Canucks came only a hair away from their first in franchise history with a seven-game Stanley Cup Finals series in 2011. Cory Schneider was his goaltending partner at the time and, ironically enough, interviewed Luongo on the ice after his second Stanley Cup win. Advertisement 'It's surreal, does not feel real. Last year was crazy, this year even crazier, to do it again,' Luongo told NHL Network analysts and former players Schneider and Brian Boyle. 'When the time came they stepped up and they played the way we know how to play, an unbelievable performance.' Energy from the home crowd can be a big part of a team's playoff wins, as seen from the Abbotsford Canucks' home-ice success. Luongo, who banged the drum for the Panthers ahead of Game 6, jokingly noted how he was 'more nervous for the drum than the game.' Latest From THN's Vancouver Canucks Site: How Home Ice Has Provided A Big Playoff Advantage For The Abbotsford Canucks Advertisement Abbotsford Canucks Standouts From Game 3 Of The 2025 Calder Cup Finals Third-Period Offence Powers Abbotsford Canucks To A 6–1 Game 3 Win Against The Charlotte Checkers Now that the dust has settled around Game 6, one of the most polarizing images to come from the Panthers' celebrations the night before was a photo of Luongo and Brad Marchand posted from the former's X account. Marchand, a member of the 2011 Boston Bruins team that took Vancouver to seven games, was acquired by the Panthers at the 2025 Trade Deadline for a conditional second-round draft pick that has now become a first. 'Bill [Zito] and the team, we get together and work together as a team, we identify guys, we talk it over, we have disagreements, but at the end of the day we always find some guys that we think fit the way we play — we call them Panthers,' Luongo told Schneider and Boyle of Florida's trade deadline acquisitions and how they have been able to fit seamlessly with the team. Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Roberto Luongo, former player, bangs the drum before the start of game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final between the Florida Panthers and the Edmonton Oilers at Amerant Bank Arena. Mandatory Credit: Jim Rassol-Imagn Images Now that the Stanley Cup has finally been awarded for the 2025 season, all teams will shift their focus onto the oncoming NHL Entry Draft and Free Agent Frenzy on July 1. Advertisement Make sure you bookmark THN's Vancouver Canucks site and add us to your favourites on Google News for the latest news, exclusive interviews, breakdowns, and so much more. Also, be sure to leave a comment at the bottom of the page and engage with other passionate fans through our forum.
