Tampa Bay Lightning forward Mathieu Joseph hopes the protests that have followed the death of George Floyd will lead to real positive changes in society.
"Watching the events unfold across America is extremely sad. I wish I could say what happened to George Floyd was an isolated event, but I know it's not," Joseph said Sunday on Twitter. "The problem is that everyone has known that for a long time, and yet very little was done about it. And now people have had enough.
"That said, once it all boils over, what concrete actions will be taken? It is not enough to be non-racist and events unfolding today have proven that. But violent protests are not the answers or a good way to be anti-racist ... we need to focus on the solution. On making a change in the way we educate children."
Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died Monday in Minneapolis after now-former police officer Derek Chauvin pinned him to the ground with his knee for over eight minutes while Floyd was handcuffed. Chauvin has since been charged with third-degree murder and second-degree manslaughter.
"George Floyd's death was unacceptable, my heart bleeds for him and his family, and I assume he would want us to fight for a better world," Joseph wrote. "Let's lead with love and demand change all together as a human race. The only way out is through."
Several other teams and players around the league have shared similar thoughts to Joseph's regarding racism and injustice.
San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane, who, with Joseph, is among a small minority of black players in the NHL, called on high-profile athletes to speak up during this time. Sharks captain Logan Couture backed his teammate on Friday.
Minnesota native and Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler also released a message expressing his anger and frustration not only in his own city but across the country.
The Los Angeles Kings and team captain Anze Kopitar spoke out Sunday against racism and injustice amid protests throughout North America following the death of George Floyd.
"The L.A. Kings are united against racism and acts of hatred toward others," the team said in a statement. "Our voice is here to support the black community and condemn those injustices. Now is the time to raise the volume peacefully.
Kopitar shared a similar sentiment through his own personal Twitter account, denouncing racism and inequality while calling for action toward a better future.
Floyd, a 46-year-old black man, died Monday in Minneapolis after now-former police officer Derek Chauvin pinned him to the ground with his knee for over eight minutes while Floyd was handcuffed.
Minnesota native and Winnipeg Jets captain Blake Wheeler took to social media on Saturday to share his feelings.
"America is not OK ... I'm heartbroken that we still treat people this way," he wrote. "We need to stand with the black community and fundamentally change how the leadership in this country has dealt with racism."
San Jose Sharks forward Evander Kane, one of only a few black players in the NHL, also called for more globally recognized athletes to use their platform to speak out against racism. Sharks captain Logan Couture supported his teammate Friday, saying athletes can't continue to turn a blind eye to racism.
Day, who was granted "exceptional status" into the OHL as a 15-year-old, was selected by the Rangers in the third round of the 2016 draft. He's just one of seven players - including John Tavares, Aaron Ekblad, and Connor McDavid - in CHL history to earn the honor.
The 22-year-old failed to crack the Rangers' NHL roster. He's spent the last two seasons in both the AHL and ECHL, amassing 18 points in 62 AHL games during his career.
Pittsburgh Penguins president and CEO David Morehouse rescued Ian Smith, a cameraman for local station KDKA, after the journalist was attacked during police brutality protests in the city, the club confirmed to the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Jason Mackey on Saturday night.
Morehouse departed PPG Paints Arena, found Smith, and helped him inside before the cameraman was taken to the hospital, according to Mackey.
Smith detailed his ordeal while sitting in the ambulance.
I’m was attacked by protestors downtown by the arena. They stomped and kicked me. I’m bruised and bloody but alive. My camera was destroyed. Another group of protesters pulled me out and saved my life. Thank you! @KDKApic.twitter.com/clyANKodth
After seeing Smith's tweet, KDKA anchor and reporter Larry Richert called him and inquired about the incident. Smith told him he didn't know who saved him, so Richert contacted Paul Martino, a reporter for the network who'd been with Smith reporting on the protests. Martino confirmed it was Morehouse who saved Smith, and the Penguins later confirmed it to Mackey.
Protests began across the United States this week and continued through Saturday following the death of George Floyd on Monday. Floyd, a black Minneapolis man, died after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes while holding him in handcuffs.
The statue of Mario Lemieux outside PPG Paints Arena was spray-painted during the protests in Pittsburgh on Saturday.
Morehouse joined the Penguins as a consultant on the then-arena project in 2004. He was named team president in 2007 and was given CEO responsibilities in 2010.
Athletes everywhere continue to get creative as they deal with their respective leagues being on hiatus. Some are better at it than others. Every Sunday throughout May, we'll look back on the week that was before crowning a quarantine king or queen. Here are the top isolation moments from the sports world over the last seven days.
10. 'What up, 'Bron!'
There's just something pure - and surprisingly soothing - about watching LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and JR Smith casually enjoy a bike ride in the Los Angeles sunshine. The excitement of this Lakers fan when he catches a glimpse of James only adds to the feel-good nature of it all.
He drove by and saw LeBron, AD and JR Smith out for a bike ride in LA today 🚲
Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen took part in TikTok's "Couples Challenge," which asks couples to close their eyes and answer a series of rapid-fire questions about their relationship, often with wildly entertaining results. All the family secrets, like which of the two is "more annoying when hungry," are revealed.
Let's start off by saying that New Jersey Devils defenseman P.K. Subban is in ridiculous shape. Based on the wildly challenging workout below, he'll be ready if the NHL does make its return this season. Far more importantly, though, are we just supposed to ignore the toilet in the squat rack? When you gotta go ...
P.K. Subban's #HockeyAtHome fitness routine is something else. 💪
Any NBA teams out there looking for a spot-up 3-point shooter in anticipation of the league's return this summer? Call this FedEx employee. He delivers from downtown.
.@FedEx out here delivering the purple promise with essential buckets! 🔥
— SI Extra Mustard (@SI_ExtraMustard) May 26, 2020
6. Cutch is getting good at this
From imaginative home videos to sleepy workout regimes, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen has become something of a social media star over these past couple months. So has his alter ego, Uncle Larry.
With fans unable to attend matches amid the pandemic, Danish soccer club AGF Aarhus came up with a unique solution, inviting 10,000 supporters to a Zoom party and placing giant screens in the stands so they could watch their season opener "in person." Better yet, they got to see a last-minute equalizer.
If the fans can’t be brought to the football, football has to be brought to the fans.
Danish Superliga club @AGFFodbold set up screens around the pitch to form a ‘virtual grandstand’ as 10,000 fans tuned in together to watch the game. pic.twitter.com/Xl32ILe915
Staying in peak physical condition has required professional athletes everywhere to devise creative workouts, but Marlon Humphrey's latest effort takes the cake. Just watching the Baltimore Ravens cornerback and his brother sprint up this gravel hill is enough to make your quads burn.
This looks... insane 😳@ravens Cornerback Marlon Humphrey getting creative with the workouts.
With the French soccer season canceled, Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar is keeping himself busy and entertained by pranking his 8-year-old son, Davi Lucca. Take a miniature header challenge, start with some ping pong balls, then throw an egg into the mix and see what happens. Parenting 101.
In an ode to a classic scene from "The Mighty Ducks" film franchise, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Alex Killorn rounded up his teammates - rescuing them from their respective oddball tasks - to create this spectacular video, which culminates in a Sea-Doo "Flying V" formation.
Athletes everywhere continue to get creative as they deal with their respective leagues being on hiatus. Some are better at it than others. Every Sunday throughout May, we'll look back on the week that was before crowning a quarantine king or queen. Here are the top isolation moments from the sports world over the last seven days.
10. 'What up, 'Bron!'
There's just something pure - and surprisingly soothing - about watching LeBron James, Anthony Davis, and JR Smith casually enjoy a bike ride in the Los Angeles sunshine. The excitement of this Lakers fan when he catches a glimpse of James only adds to the feel-good nature of it all.
He drove by and saw LeBron, AD and JR Smith out for a bike ride in LA today 🚲
Tom Brady and Gisele Bundchen took part in TikTok's "Couples Challenge," which asks couples to close their eyes and answer a series of rapid-fire questions about their relationship, often with wildly entertaining results. All the family secrets, like which of the two is "more annoying when hungry," are revealed.
Let's start off by saying that New Jersey Devils defenseman P.K. Subban is in ridiculous shape. Based on the wildly challenging workout below, he'll be ready if the NHL does make its return this season. Far more importantly, though, are we just supposed to ignore the toilet in the squat rack? When you gotta go ...
P.K. Subban's #HockeyAtHome fitness routine is something else. 💪
Any NBA teams out there looking for a spot-up 3-point shooter in anticipation of the league's return this summer? Call this FedEx employee. He delivers from downtown.
.@FedEx out here delivering the purple promise with essential buckets! 🔥
— SI Extra Mustard (@SI_ExtraMustard) May 26, 2020
6. Cutch is getting good at this
From imaginative home videos to sleepy workout regimes, Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Andrew McCutchen has become something of a social media star over these past couple months. So has his alter ego, Uncle Larry.
With fans unable to attend matches amid the pandemic, Danish soccer club AGF Aarhus came up with a unique solution, inviting 10,000 supporters to a Zoom party and placing giant screens in the stands so they could watch their season opener "in person." Better yet, they got to see a last-minute equalizer.
If the fans can’t be brought to the football, football has to be brought to the fans.
Danish Superliga club @AGFFodbold set up screens around the pitch to form a ‘virtual grandstand’ as 10,000 fans tuned in together to watch the game. pic.twitter.com/Xl32ILe915
Staying in peak physical condition has required professional athletes everywhere to devise creative workouts, but Marlon Humphrey's latest effort takes the cake. Just watching the Baltimore Ravens cornerback and his brother sprint up this gravel hill is enough to make your quads burn.
This looks... insane 😳@ravens Cornerback Marlon Humphrey getting creative with the workouts.
With the French soccer season canceled, Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar is keeping himself busy and entertained by pranking his 8-year-old son, Davi Lucca. Take a miniature header challenge, start with some ping pong balls, then throw an egg into the mix and see what happens. Parenting 101.
In an ode to a classic scene from "The Mighty Ducks" film franchise, Tampa Bay Lightning forward Alex Killorn rounded up his teammates - rescuing them from their respective oddball tasks - to create this spectacular video, which culminates in a Sea-Doo "Flying V" formation.
Is it just me or does the vandalism of the Lemieux statue look very similar to the vandalism of Doughboy statue from earlier this week? #pittsburghprotestpic.twitter.com/QS3wMxZAPE
Protests across the United States began this week and continued into the weekend in response to the death of George Floyd, a black man in Minneapolis who died Monday after a white police officer kneeled on his neck for nearly nine minutes while holding him in handcuffs.
Floyd's death was the latest example of police action leading to the death of an unarmed black person.
The Lemieux statue was erected in 2012 to honor the career and achievements of the legendary former Penguins forward.
The NHL's 24-team playoff format has given new life to clubs that were outside the postseason picture when the season was suspended in March.
Due to the unique best-of-five setup, hockey fans will be treated to several thrilling and unpredictable matchups before the traditional Round of 16 gets underway.
Here are the three higher-seeded squads most in danger of being upset.
Pittsburgh Penguins (No. 5 seed in East)
Icon Sportswire / Icon Sportswire / Getty
Regular season vs. Canadiens: 2-1 Goal differential: 8-7 Penguins
Players reportedly fought against the play-in series being a best-of-three specifically because of superstar talents like Montreal Canadiens netminder Carey Price and their ability to single-handedly steal games. A best-of-five gives the Penguins a little more room for error, but not much.
However, Price hasn't played in the postseason since 2016-17, and although he's posted save percentages of .933, .920, and .919 over his three previous playoff runs, it's hard to say where his game will be after such a unique layoff. The puck-stopper owns a .929 save percentage across three starts against Pittsburgh this season, but the Penguins took the season series despite captain Sidney Crosby suiting up for just one of those contests.
The neutral-site factor also leads to an intriguing case for a Canadiens upset. The Penguins ranked second in home wins with 23 this season and were .500 on the road. Meanwhile, the Habs were far better away from the bright lights of the Bell Centre, and Price produced a save percentage of .917 on the road compared to .901 at home. Playing in an empty arena could benefit Montreal.
But most of the star power in this matchup belongs to the Penguins, and they should have a healthy lineup - with the exception of Nick Bjugstad - for what feels like the first time all season. The club will also be motivated after suffering an embarrassing first-round sweep at the hands of the New York Islanders last spring.
Edmonton Oilers (No. 5 seed in West)
Andy Devlin / National Hockey League / Getty
Regular season vs. Blackhawks: 1-2 Goal differential: 10-9 Blackhawks
The Chicago Blackhawks are far from the dynasty they were over the last decade, but the club still possesses a ton of winning pedigree and game-breaking talent. Though the Oilers finished 11 points ahead of Chicago, Edmonton isn't nearly as experienced in the postseason.
Along with Price, players reportedly cited Blackhawks star Patrick Kane as a reason they didn't want a shorter play-in series. Kane leads all players in the series in postseason goals (50) and points (123), and he's known for playing his best hockey when the stakes are the highest after winning three Stanley Cups and taking home the Conn Smythe Trophy.
All things being equal, the Oilers are certainly the better team. Two of the best players in the world are on their side in Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, and after Chicago dealt Robin Lehner to Vegas at the trade deadline, Edmonton owns an edge between the pipes too. The Blackhawks' core group is also much older, so although the layoff provided them with some much-needed rest, it could take Chicago a little bit longer to find its legs once the puck drops.
Regardless of the outcome, this matchup between two dynamic and exciting clubs should provide hockey-starved fans with everything they were missing.
Carolina Hurricanes (No. 6 seed in East)
Karl DeBlaker / National Hockey League / Getty
Regular season vs. Rangers: 0-4 Goal differential: 17-9 Rangers
Despite this being a showdown between the sixth and 11th seeds, these two teams were closer in quality this season than those rankings would suggest.
The Hurricanes finished with 81 points through 68 games, while the New York Rangers earned 79 points in 70 outings. Now, Carolina must earn its playoff spot against a top-heavy Rangers team that's dominated this matchup in recent years.
New York swept the season series this year, with superstars Artemi Panarin and Mika Zibanejad combining for 16 points in those four contests. Since the 2017-18 campaign, the Hurricanes own a 2-10 record against the Rangers and have been outscored 49-29.
The Rangers' goaltending could pose a problem for their opponents. Though he's years removed his prime, Henrik Lundqvist posted a 3-0 record with a .949 save percentage against Carolina this season, and rookie Igor Shesterkin was quick to make a name for himself by picking up 10 wins through his first 12 career starts.
However, the return of blue-chip defenseman Dougie Hamilton will give the Hurricanes a major boost, and their fourth-ranked penalty kill could nullify the Rangers' potent power play. Carolina also deploys a more well-rounded offense, and that depth should play to its advantage over a five-game series.
