George’s Links: NHL Seattle releases the Kraken

The big news in the NHL today came out of Seattle where the expansion team officially announced its name: The Seattle Kraken.

It is not a traditional name by any means and that’s one reason why I think so many people dig it.

Seemed like a natural name for a town inhabited by Mariners, Seahawks and, well, Huskies.

Now if we can get the Supersonics back.

Moving a little farther south, the Florida Panthers took Thursday off from training camp and plan to return Friday morning.

A legend from the deep awakens.

Meet the Seattle Kraken → https://t.co/to5BtVVPh1 pic.twitter.com/FQfOdaiGQQ

— Seattle Kraken (@NHLSeattle_) July 23, 2020

The Panthers are only scheduled for two more practices in Coral Springs this season. They head to Toronto on Sunday and from there, who knows what will happen.

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Speaking of what’s next, my new podcast — The Panthers Press Box powered by FloridaHockeyNow.com — should drop its first episode on Friday.

Check back for that if you are into those kind of things.

Anyway, on to today’s links!

AROUND THE LEAGUE

Seattle has a new hockey team which is scheduled to start in time for the 2021-22 season.

Up the road in Vancouver, the soccer team had an emergency goaltending situation in Orlando and reached out to a former Vancouver goaltender who makes his home in South Florida.

Wtf I was ready! pic.twitter.com/2VjFuFmGvK

— Strombone (@strombone1) July 22, 2020

— NHL.com broke down the top coaches in this postseason tournament. The first-year coach of the Panthers ranked pretty high.

— The Hockey News takes a dive into the Panthers-Islanders series. We are getting closer and closer.

— Craig Button likes the chances of the New York Rangers in this tournament — and for good reason.

— Jacob Markstrom (remember him?) is ready for what is next.

— How short is Matt Murray’s leash with the Pittsburgh Penguins?

— Cale Makar should be back with the Avs soon.

— In Boston, Nick Ritchie joins David Pastrnak and Ondrej Kase on the ‘unfit to play’ list but got Joakim Nordstrom and Charlie McAvoy back.

— Please welcome San Jose Hockey Now to the family!

Mark Pysyk switches gears in hybrid role for Florida Panthers

SOUTH FLORIDA REPORT

Break out the peanuts and the hot dogs because it is finally time for some baseball!

The Miami Marlins open their 60-game campaign Friday in Philadelphia. Jordan McPherson of the Miami Herald breaks down Miami’s 30-man roster.

— Armando Salguero with a touching piece of former Dolphins coach Tony Sparano on the second anniversary of his passing.

— The Miami Heat were back on the court Wednesday night at Disney. They looked pretty good for not playing a game in four months.