nhl.nbcsports.com / .nhl-nbcsports-com / Page 6

When the time comes for defenseman Matthew Schaefer to take the stage at the NHL draft inside the Peacock Theater in Los Angeles this week, the top-ranked prospect won't be climbing the stairs alone.

The back-to-back Stanley Cup winners had their championship parade and rally on Fort Lauderdale Beach on Sunday, the same setup as last year -- except this time, bright sunshine greeted the champs as opposed to downpours and lightning a year ago.

Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov said they're giving themselves "permission" to celebrate more freely this year because they have already been through the experience.

Bourque played in 73 regular-season games in 2024-25, but dressed for just three playoff games as the Stars lost in the Western Conference final for the third consecutive year.

Chicago also placed defenseman T.J. Brodie on unconditional waivers for purposes of buying out his contract.

The Winnipeg native is expected to sign a one-year deal with his hometown team. The contract cannot be registered until July 1.

The Stanley Cup is a little banged up, thanks to the Florida Panthers' celebration of back-to-back titles. The bowl of the famous trophy is cracked and the bottom is dented. Not for the first time and likely not the last.

Matt Duchene will count $4.5 million against the salary cap through the 2028-29 season.

Ryan Donato wanted to stay, and the Chicago Blackhawks wanted to keep the hard-charging forward. It took a while, but they figured it out.

The 2020 Norris Trophy winner and three-time All-Star was limited to 53 games this season by a concussion.