FHN Daily: Sasha Barkov donates Florida Panthers goal money to kids

Florida Panthers captain Sasha Barkov made a pledge to the Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital in Hollywood and on Wednesday morning, he made good on his promise.

Barkov talked about how happy it makes him to see the suite he provides filled with kids, their families and health care workers at games with Florida Hockey Now. I wrote about it in a story published on Sunday. 

On Wednesday, he went to the hospital to present them with a check for almost $74,000.

Barkov pledged $1,600 for each goal scored this season and $800 per assist.

“Every time I hear something about this hospital and how thankful they are, I get more thankful, too,” Barkov told reporters per a story written by David Dwork of WPLG-10.

“It means more and more every day for me to be able to help in some kind of way.”

FLORIDA PANTHERS LINKS

In case you missed it, Anton Lundell spoke to the South Florida media on Wednesday afternoon.

Lundell said he is excited to be part of the Panthers’ organization, adding “of course there is work to do, but this feels really good. I am really excited to sign with the Panthers, go and show them what I can do on the ice. I want to help them win games.”

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I spoke to GM Bill Zito afterward and he is thrilled to have Lundell in the fold. Zito said allowing Lundell one more year of development in Finland this season was the right thing to do — although Lundell likely could have played in Florida had the organization decided to go the other way.

Lundell is expected to play a nice role with the Panthers as a rookie next season although he will not be gifted anything.

“He is going to have to come in here and earn it,’’ Zito said. “And he knows that. I do know one thing: He is going to be prepared. You get that just from talking to him. We’re very happy and looking forward to seeing what he can do.”

Read what else Lundell and Zito had to say RIGHT HERE

— Lundell took a few more minutes to chat with Birthday Boy Doug Plagens and Jameson Olive on Territory Talk. (Florida Panthers)

— Ryan Bednard made 37 saves as the Greenville Swamp Rabbits opened their ECHL Kelly Cup playoffs with a win in Indianapolis. (Swamp Rabbits)

AROUND THE NHL

The Islanders are in the Final Four after taking care of business in Uniondale.

The ‘Saints’ scored three in the second period and ended up pulling off a 6-2 win over the Bruins to end that series in six games. (NY Islanders Hockey Now)

— Speaking of the Saints… (NYIHN)

— Yeah, the Lightning are pretty good. But we all knew that. (Tampa Bay Times)

— Victor Hedman, Cale Makar and Adam Fox are your Norris Trophy finalists. (TBTimes)

— Tristan Jarry and Evgeni Malgin will be protected in the expansion draft. (PHN)

— Colorado coach Jared Bednar says he has confidence the Avs can survive Game 6 in Vegas. Good luck. (CHN)

— Marc-Andre Fleury came up big again for the Knights. (VHN)

LOCALS ONLY

What options do the Miami Heat have this summer? Barry Jackson spells it all out — as usual. (Miami Herald)

— Pat Riley gets hit with a $25,000 fine for talking about being open to a LeBron James return. (Sentinel)

— The Dolphins sign Jaelan Phillips as training camp gets closer and closer. (MH)

— Inter Miami owner Jorge Mas talks about his team. (MH)

— The Hurricanes hope to add another high-profile tight end from Las Vegas. (MH)