Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad was suspended for elbowing Brandon Hagel in the head, but he wasn't penalized when he did it.

Now, Hagelwon't play for the Tampa Bay Lightning in Game 5 of the Battle of Florida, while Ekblad scored the tying goal in Game 4's comeback win for the Panthers.

There were only four people in the world who had the power to do anything about it during the game. And in the NHL, infractions that are called can be reviewed but not ones that aren't.

That should change. We're not lobbying for a review of every infraction, but if the NHL wants to further prevent and punish head contact, it has to get this right. Whether that's having an eye-in-the-sky official who has the power to call headshots or giving the control room in Toronto the power to intervene and have the officials review them, something has to be done.

Today's video column has more.

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In the end, it came down to more than just money for Vancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet.

The Canucks said they were prepared to make Tocchet the team’s highest-paid coach ever on a long-term extension, but the 61-year-old declined that offer on Tuesday, citing personal reasons.

As team president Jim Rutherford pointed out when he spoke to the local media on Tuesday afternoon, the Canucks have not historically been a team that hangs onto its coaches for long periods of time — even before the carousel started spinning at breakneck speed throughout the NHL over the last few years. 

Until last week, Rutherford was confident that Tocchet would return. He said Tuesday he hadn’t put much thought into a candidate list yet but expected his phone to start ringing imminently.

While he won two Stanley Cups in Pittsburgh with Mike Sullivan, who became available on Monday, Rutherford said the former assistant to John Tortorella with the Canucks is aiming to stay out east, so he’s not an option to return.

And while the goal is to get the Canucks back into contention — and convince Quinn Hughes there’s plenty of reason to stick around — extensive NHL experience is not necessarily a prerequisite for the Vancouver job.

“They have to understand that playing in Vancouver, travel can be tough at times,” Rutherford said. “Can they manage the schedule when we practise, when we travel, all those things? You have to have some experience. You have to have leadership qualities. You have to have a good structure and system that the players can lean to when they're not playing well. Those will be some of the things that we're going to look for.”

Here are two names that Rutherford said are up for consideration and some others who could fit that script.

Peter Laviolette

The 60-year-old is on the market after a brutal season with the New York Rangers. But he won a Cup under Rutherford with the Carolina Hurricanes back in 2006, so the familiarity is there.

Laviolette has spent most of his coaching career on the East Coast, but he also worked in Nashville. Would the Massachusetts native consider the white-hot spotlight of a Canadian market for the first time in his career?

Coach Rick Tocchet Explains Why He's Leaving The Vancouver CanucksVancouver Canucks coach Rick Tocchet decided not to return to the team for next season.

Manny Malhotra

In his first year behind the bench with the AHL's Abbotsford Canucks, Malhotra served up the hottest streak in the history of any Vancouver team affiliate down the stretch and now has his team into the second round of the Calder Cup playoffs.

A seventh-overall pick in the 1998 NHL draft who established a reputation as a responsible two-way center and faceoff ace, Malhotra played 159 of his 991 career NHL games with the Canucks. 

Malhotra also has seven years of experience as an NHL coach — three seasons under Travis Green in Vancouver, and four under Sheldon Keefe in Toronto. 

“Based on the job he did (in Abbotsford) and the experience he has in the league, he will certainly be on the short list,” Rutherford said.

Jeremy Colliton

Abbotsford’s previous bench boss is also young, articulate and collected 205 games of NHL experience with the Chicago Blackhawks when he was elevated after Joel Quenneville’s shock firing in 2018.

Looking for more opportunity at the NHL level, he signed on as Keefe’s assistant with the New Jersey Devils for 2024-25 — which means his season ended on Tuesday night.

Organizations usually won’t stand in the way of assistants interviewing for head-coaching jobs. Could Colliton return to the West Coast? And could that Devils connection possibly help untangle the knotty Hughes brothers situation that now lingers in the background of every organizational decision?

Rikard Gronborg

After guiding Sweden to back-to-back gold medals at the 2017 and 2018 World Championships, Gronborg had major momentum to become the first Swede with an NHL head-coaching job. But it didn’t happen.

Gronborg went to Switzerland, then Finland, and Anders Sorensen earned the honor when the Blackhawks tapped him as the interim replacement for Luke Richardson earlier this season.

The Canucks have had a strong Swedish connection for decades. With Patrik Allvin overseeing a crucial mission to get Elias Pettersson back to being his best self, Gronborg could help. Before joining the Canucks, Pettersson was part of that gold-winning 2018 squad at worlds.

How Bad Can It Get For The Vancouver Canucks?Imagine you’re a Vancouver Canucks fan at the end of the 2023-24 season. 

David Carle

Let’s be clear: this is a massive long shot. 

The two-time world junior gold medalist with Team USA and two-time Frozen Four champ with the University of Denver has a sparkling resume. But the 35-year-old has made it clear he’s not looking to leave the Pioneers unless it’s for an exceptional opportunity. That means solid compensation, stability for his young family and a real chance to win. 

Carle is already rumored to have turned down the Blackhawks. Even though he was born in Alaska and might appreciate the rugged geography around Vancouver, the scrutiny and criticism that comes with playing in a Canadian market is probably not especially appealing.

Two other NCAA coaches are currently carrying some buzz for NHL jobs: Pat Ferschweiler from the Frozen Four-champion Western Michigan Broncos and two-time Cup winner Jay Pandolfo, who coaches Canucks prospects Tom Willander and Aiden Celebrini in the strong Boston University program.

Jessica Campbell

When Rutherford arrived in Vancouver late in 2021, he quickly broke down gender barriers by hiring Emilie Castonguay and Cammi Granato as assistant GMs. Both are still with the team, and the Canucks’ player development and scouting has improved under Granato’s watch.

So don’t rule out the possibility that Rutherford could bring in the NHL’s first woman coach — especially after seeing Campbell work her magic against his team as an assistant with the Seattle Kraken this season.

The Kraken are also coach-hunting after cutting ties with Dan Bylsma, so that could be a more natural fit. But don’t rule out the prospect of Campbell interviewing in Vancouver.

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Recent news regarding the New York Rangers focused on who would become their next coach following their recent firing of Peter Laviolette. 

The latest speculation has Mike Sullivan joining the Blueshirts after recently parting ways with the Pittsburgh Penguins. 

As for potential player trade candidates, Chris Kreider seems the most likely to be moved. The 34-year-old left winger has two years left on his contract with an average annual value of $6.5 million and a 15-team no-trade list. 

Center Mika Zibanejad was mentioned in trade rumors, but moving him would be difficult. He has more term left on his contract than Kreider (five years) and a larger average annual value ($8 million). Zibanejad also has a full no-movement clause. 

Nevertheless, Zibanejad recently told the New York Post's Mollie Walker that he's aware his disappointing performance this season puts his tenure with the Rangers at a crossroads. He was also unhappy with how management handled what Walker called “certain business” this season, perhaps alluding to the departures of Jacob Trouba and Barclay Goodrow since last June. 

Regarding his clause, Zibanejad said he knows what his contract says. 

“Both parties agreed to it, and like I said, I think I earned it,” he told Walker. “Until it's time to adjust it, I have no plans of going anywhere. I've invested a lot of years here.”

Still, Walker wondered if GM Chris Drury might meet with Zibanejad to discuss adjusting his no-move clause. 

Turning to the Boston Bruins, there was recent conjecture over whether they might make Jeremy Swayman a trade candidate. The 26-year-old goaltender is their only high-priced player lacking no-trade protection for next season. 

It was suggested the Bruins might peddle Swayman to free up cap space. However, that move seems unlikely, coming less than a year after re-signing him to his eight-year extension. Besides, there is no suitable replacement within their system or available in the trade and free-agent market.

Joonas Korpisalo is the more likely candidate if the Bruins move a goaltender. RG.Org's James Murphy reports sources claim his agent, Markus Lehto, told management that his client would welcome a trade if they don't intend to give him more starts next season. 

Korpisalo, 31, was acquired from the Ottawa Senators last June in exchange for Linus Ullmark. He's signed through 2027-28 with an average annual value of $4 million, with the Bruins carrying $3 million and the Senators $1 million. 

Murphy indicated Lehto was unavailable for comment, and no formal trade request was made to the Bruins. Nevertheless, his situation could be worth monitoring. The limited goalie options in this summer's trade and free-agent markets could make him enticing for clubs seeking depth between the pipes for next season. 

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If doubt has started to creep into the minds of the Maple Leafs after blowing a second chance at advancing to the second round, then the opposite is occurring with Ottawa Senators following a 4-0 win in Game 5.

They are starting to believe.

It wasn’t long ago that the Senators were down 0-3 in what had been a mostly one-sided Bludgeoning of Ontario. Now, after back-to-back wins with their season on the line, they are one win away from forcing a Game 7.

“I’ve always said, you’re never out of it,” said Senators captain Brady Tkachuk. “And for us tonight, it was nothing other than winning Game 5. There was no other thought about any other games in the series.”

It was after being down 0-3 when Tkachuk said the series was far from over. Teams had come back after being down 0-3, he said. He even brought up the Boston Red Sox's 2004 comeback against the New York Yankees as proof.

"It's been done before," he said, "and I believe that it can happen again."

Down 3-0 To Leafs, Ottawa Senators' Brady Tkachuk Brings Up Red Sox's Reverse Sweep In 2004The Ottawa Senators trail the Toronto Maple Leafs 3-0 after losing in overtime Thursday night.

More and more, it is starting to feel that way.

Maybe it is because the Leafs have a history of choking. Or that the Senators are finally getting bounces — and the saves — that they weren't getting in the first three games.

Either way you look at it, the pressure is no longer on Ottawa. Suddenly, it's shifted to Toronto.

“Whenever you lose two in a row, it’s not a good feeling,” said Tkachuk, who had a goal and assist in Game 5. “We lost three and it’s a shitty feeling.”

These Maple Leafs Were Supposed To Be Different, But In Game 5, It Was More Of The SameAnyone who has watched the Toronto Maple Leafs over the past decade has seen Game 5 of the Battle of Ontario so many times.

The Senators, meanwhile, have momentum on their side. And really nothing to lose. Whether they force a Game 7 or lose in Game 6, they’ve made a series out of what looked like it was going to be sweep.

“It can change fast,” Senators coach Travis Green said of the momentum swings of the series. “You can feel great about yourself; feel shitty about yourself as well.”

That pretty much describes how the Leafs must be feeling these days.

They did not want this series to be going to Game 6. Had their once-scorching power play not gone stone cold, this would have already been over.

But now, with Game 6 back in Ottawa, all bets are off.

"Well, I expect pure insanity, that’s for sure," said Tkachuk. "Our mindset right now is that these are do-or-die games."

The Hockey News Playoff Frenzy Live: Join The Conversation As Senators Beat Leafs In Game 5Welcome to The Hockey News Playoff Frenzy Live, streaming nightly during the NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Carolina Hurricanes are the first NHL team to advance to the second round of this year's playoffs after eliminating the New Jersey Devils.

The Devils, however, were one goal away from forcing a Game 6. They withstood a bombardment of shots by the Hurricanes from the third period to double overtime, with Carolina outshooting them 32-12 in that span. 

But a double-minor penalty for high sticking 70 seconds into the second overtime frame led to the Hurricanes sealing the Devils' fate.

Devils center Dawson Mercer carried the puck out of the defensive zone when Hurricanes center Jesperi Kotkaniemi challenged him. Mercer passed the puck off the boards and tried to lift his stick around Kotkaniemi to get by him.

Instead of avoiding contact, Mercer lifted his stick and caught Kotkamieni underneath the visor.

Dawson Mercer is assessed a double-minor for high-sticking on Jesperi Kotkaniemi at the start of double overtime. pic.twitter.com/u9ErnWdwab

— Sportsnet (@Sportsnet) April 30, 2025

The referees called the double minor and reviewed the incident to see whether to keep the penalty or rescind it. The call on the ice stood.

Carolina set up in the offensive zone, passing the puck around to look for the right chance to shoot. When Hurricanes defenseman Shayne Gostisbehere passed the puck to Sebastian Aho, the center took that chance.

Aho wired a one-timer slapshot that beat Devils goaltender Jacob Markstrom. While Markstrom made some massive saves in overtime to keep his team alive, he and the Devils exited the first round with a 5-4 double-overtime loss in Game 5 and a 4-1 series loss.

Mercer did open the scoring on Tuesday night as the Devils took a 3-0 lead in the first period, but the Hurricanes responded with three unanswered goals in the second. Devils captain Nico Hischier gave the Devils another brief lead before Aho marked his first of two goals on the evening.

Aho is just the second player in Hurricanes franchise history to score the series-clinching goal in a game that required multiple overtimes. Brock McGinn was the first when he scored in Game 7 of the first round in 2019. Aho's eight points led the team in the first round.

The Hurricanes, which finished second in the Metropolitan Division in the regular season, are now just the fourth franchise in NHL history to win a round in seven straight post-seasons and the first since the New York Islanders accomplished the feat from 1979 to 1985.

As the Devils' off-season begins, the Hurricanes await the winner of the Washington Capitals and Montreal Canadiens series. Game 5 of their series is on Wednesday at 7 p.m. ET, with the Capitals leading 3-1.

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Welcome to The Hockey News Playoff Frenzy Live, streaming nightly during the NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs.

After the big game of the night, our experts go live to react to the match that was, break down the key moments and storylines, provide updates on the rest of the night's NHL slate and read your opinions.

On tonight's show, Emma Lingan and Michael Augello react to the Ottawa Senators beating the Toronto Maple Leafs 4-0 and cutting the Buds' series lead to 3-2.

Leafs vs Senators Game 5 - Playoff Frenzy | The Hockey NewsWelcome to Playoff Frenzy Live by The Hockey News presented by STIX.com, where we give our live reactions and break down the latest news to all the biggest g...

Are the Leafs' playoff demons haunting them? How did Linus Ullmark look in net in his first career playoff shutout? And what else is going on around the NHL? Share your thoughts in the comments and live chat, and the hosts may discuss your message during the stream.

Check out the show right now.

The NHL Department of Player Safety suspended Florida Panthers defenseman Aaron Ekblad for the next two games on Tuesday.

Ekblad laid a high hit on Tampa Bay Lightning left winger Brandon Hagel during Game 4 of their first-round playoff series on Monday. Ekblad’s forearm landed on Hagel’s face. Hagel was forced to leave the game, and Bolts coach Jon Cooper said Hagel won’t play in Game 5.

“Ekblad takes his right hand off of his stick, raises his elbow, pulls it back and uses the extended arm to deliver a blow that strikes Hagel in the head with force, causing an injury,” NHL player safety’s video explanation said.

“This is a direct blow to an opponent’s head with an extended elbow delivered with requisite force for supplemental discipline,” the video said.

Cooper Frustrated After Hagel Injured In Game 4 'It’s Getting Tiresome Answering Questions About A Hit Every Single Game'Jon Cooper sounded frustrated. But he also sounded defeated.

Ekblad played his second game of the series on Tuesday after returning from a 20-game suspension for violating the terms of the NHL/NHLPA Performance Enhancing Substances Program.

Ekblad scored a crucial goal in the Panthers' dramatic Game 4 comeback. He and Seth Jones scored a goal each within 11 seconds to take a 3-2 over the Lightning late in the third period, eventually winning 4-2 and taking a 3-1 series lead.

The 29-year-old has a minus-three rating in his two appearances and averaged 21:16 of ice time.

There have been a handful of disciplinary actions from NHL player safety involving this series. Hagel was suspended for Game 3 after a heavy hit on Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov. Florida D-man Niko Mikkola was also fined $5,000 for boarding Zemgus Girgensons in Game 4.

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The Pittsburgh Penguins did what many expected Monday morning, parting ways with coach Mike Sullivan after more than nine years on the job. 

Sullivan won two Stanley Cups in his first two years on the job in Pittsburgh, and he guided them to the playoffs in each of his first seven years. However, Sullivan failed to guide the Penguins to the post-season in each of the past three years, and they finished seventh in the Metropolitan Division – his lowest finish with Pittsburgh.

Sullivan’s championship pedigree will lead to multiple NHL teams seeking to bring him aboard as their bench boss. While there are currently seven teams seeking to name a permanent coach, there are three front-runners to land Sullivan’s services.

Boston Bruins

The Bruins fired Jim Montgomery early last season, replacing him with interim coach Joe Sacco. But the fact Boston hasn’t removed the ‘interim’ tag from Sacco so far tells you all you need to know about the likelihood of Sacco getting the permanent job in Beantown.

Sullivan makes sense for the Bruins on several fronts. For one thing, Boston is looking at a retool, not a rebuild, so Sullivan could take the B's job knowing Bruins management will be making roster moves to push the team back into the post-season right away. 

Sullivan also cut his teeth as an NHL coach in Boston, coaching the Bruins from 2003 to 2006. Sullivan’s familiarity with the Bruins organization gives Boston an advantage as teams try to bring him on board. Sullivan is also a Massachusetts native who appreciates what it means to coach an Original Six franchise. 

For all those reasons, Boston has to be seen as a front-runner for Sullivan. The Bruins don’t want to miss the playoffs for a second straight season, and while there would be big-time pressure on Sullivan if he took the job in Boston, he would welcome that pressure and is capable of handling the accompanying challenge.

NHL Rumor Roundup: What's Next For The Penguins Following Mike Sullivan's Departure?The Pittsburgh Penguins made headlines on Monday by announcing they and coach Mike Sullivan agreed to part ways.

New York Rangers

The Rangers gave GM Chris Drury a vote of confidence late last week, signing him to a multi-year contract extension. But the Blueshirts need a new coach after firing veteran Peter Laviolette nearly two weeks ago, and Sullivan could be the ideal replacement for Laviolette. 

Like the Bruins, the Rangers missed the playoffs, but the Rangers also intend to be a playoff team in 2025-26, and Sullivan would probably see Manhattan as an attractive option.

Sullivan also knows what it's like to coach the Rangers, as he was an assistant coach for them from 2009 to 2013. Getting a kick at the can as a head coach would make the Rangers an intriguing opportunity for Sullivan, and money wouldn’t be an object for the franchise.

The Rangers have an elite goalie in Igor Shesterkin, and every coach knows how crucial it is for a team to have a star in net if they intend on going on a deep playoff run. That will be a distinct possibility in New York City next season, and Sullivan could get right back into the playoff mix with the Rangers. 

Philadelphia Flyers

The Flyers don’t have an organic connection to Sullivan, but given Philadelphia’s arch-rivalry with the Penguins, Sullivan knows the passion Flyers fans have for their team. And Philadelphia is a young team many believe is on the rise, so Sullivan could see them as an attractive destination.

Philadelphia GM Daniel Briere dismissed veteran bench boss John Tortorella late in the regular season, but he shouldn’t be afraid to hire a well-versed replacement in Sullivan, who was part of Tortorella’s staff with the Tampa Bay Lightning, New York Rangers and Vancouver Canucks.

The biggest stumbling block for Sullivan may be the Flyers still rebuilding and lacking a clearly reliable starting netminder, but Briere may be able to sell the job on Sullivan by sharing the plan forward.

To get ahead of the Rangers and Bruins, the Flyers will have to be creative and forceful. But stranger things have happened than Philadelphia hiring Sullivan. A motivated and well-supported Flyers team may be extremely appealing for Sullivan.

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Jon Cooper sounded frustrated. But he also sounded defeated.

Like someone who had lost control of a situation and had given up trying to get it back.

The Tampa Bay Lightning had just lost 4-2 to the Florida Panthers on Monday night, putting them down 3-1 in a best-of-seven series. But the Lightning coach’s reaction had less to do with the score and more to do with another on-ice incident that is becoming far too common in a series where we’ve seen more instances of star players getting hurt — than showing off their skill.

In Game 2, Tampa Bay's Brandon Hagel was suspended for a game after delivering a late hit to an unsuspecting Florida's Aleksander Barkov.

In Game 2, Florida's Matthew Tkachuk was ejected after doing something similar to Tampa Bay's Jake Guentzel.

In Game 4, Hagel then received payback for his hit on Barkov, with Aaron Ekblad delivering a forearm to the face of Hagel, who left the game after smacking the back of his head against the ice.

In Game 5, what do we expect?

Rinse. Wash. Repeat.

The Hockey News Playoff Frenzy Live: Reaction To Panthers' Comeback Win Vs. Lightning After Game MisconductWelcome to The Hockey News Playoff Frenzy Live, streaming nightly during the NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs.

“It’s getting tiresome answering questions about a hit every single game,” said Cooper, who asked reporters what they thought about the hit. “If anybody in here has something, stand up and let me know. Alright, let’s move on.”

Adding insult to injury was that Ekblad scored the goal that tied the game 3-3 in the third period. Eleven seconds later, Seth Jones scored the game-winner, putting the Lightning one loss away from being eliminated.

"I want to be consistent with what I've said," Panthers coach Paul Maurice told reporters. "On the Hagel (hit), I saw it. I've seen it before. Saw it last year. We'll all coach, the players will play, the refs will make the calls, and the league will do what they will. I just want to be — I don't want to use this platform to start making my case on this. Everybody's got a job to do. I'll stay in my lane."

In other words, it crossed a line. And it wasn't the first time.

Lightning Coach Jon Cooper Is Sick Of Talking About Dirty HitsGame 4 was an incredibly frustrating one for the Tampa Bay Lightning. After being up 2-1, the Lightning allowed three unanswered goals to the Florida Panthers in the third period and lost by a 4-2 final score. With this, the Lightning are now down 3-1 in the series and need to win their next three games to advance to the second round. If they are unsuccessful in doing so, it will mark the end of their season. 

We all love the physicality of the playoffs. What makes hockey so unlike other sports is that the playoffs are so different than the regular season. It can sometimes be like watching a different sport. There's a different standard.

You can say that there’s a different standard of officiating. But the bigger issue is that there is a different standard of hatred.

Teams are not just trying to win. At times, it seems like they are also trying to hurt. Or injure.

We’re obviously seeing that in the Battle of Florida, which features some of the roughest players in the league. But we’re seeing it everywhere.

In the Battle of Ontario, Ottawa's Artem Zub somehow got away with a headshot on Toronto's John Tavares that prevented the former Leafs captain from being on the ice in overtime in Game 4. The following night, Habs fans were freeze-framing Washington's Tom Wilson’s massive hit on Montreal's Alexandre Carrier to see if it was a headshot or not.

Matthew Tkachuk hit on Jake Guentzel won't lead to disciplinary hearing, per report Matthew Tkachuk will not be facing any supplemental discipline following Game 3 between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Even the coaches are getting in on the action, with Maurice and Cooper taking turns chirping each other in their post-game news conferences.

After the Hagel hit in Game 2, Maurice told reporters: “The only players we hit are the ones that have pucks.”

After Tkachuk hit Guentzel in Game 3, Cooper trolled Maurice by repeating the line: “The only players we hit are the ones with pucks.”

To the refs' credit, they are calling penalties. And to the league's credit, they are doling out suspensions and fines. And yet, it's not really changing anything.

At some point, the players have to police themselves.

Playoffs or not, they can't go around injuring one another and then offering supplemental retribution in the following game. If they do, no one will be left standing by the end of the first round — much less the Stanley Cup final six weeks from now.

Winners And Losers From Week 1 Of The 2025 Stanley Cup PlayoffsWhenever he’s asked about expanding the Stanley Cup playoff pool, NHL commissioner Gary Bettman has come up with a response that’s tough to argue: the current format creates the most compelling first round in all of sports. 

Welcome to The Hockey News Playoff Frenzy Live, streaming nightly during the NHL's Stanley Cup playoffs.

After the big game of the night, our experts go live to react to the match that was, break down the key moments and storylines, provide updates on the rest of the night's NHL slate and read your opinions.

On tonight's show, Emma Lingan and Andrew McInnis react to the Florida Panthers beating the Tampa Bay Lightning 4-2 after a third-period comeback. It was full of hits, including one that earned Panthers defenseman Niko Mikkola a game misconduct.

Panthers Vs Lightning Game 4 - Playoff Frenzy | The Hockey NewsWelcome to Playoff Frenzy Live by The Hockey News presented by STIX.com, where we give our live reactions and break down the latest news to all the biggest g...

They'll also give updates of the Colorado Avalanche and Dallas Stars game as part of a quick look around the NHL.

Check out the show right now and share your opinions in the live chat and in our comment section.