San Antonio officials say the number of deaths from flash flooding has risen to 11, and that could go up as some people are still missing. The Comal River in New Braunfels was closed again for tubing
SAN ANTONIO, Texas – Eleven people are confirmed dead after severe flooding in San Antonio.
Several people are still missing. However, the San Antonio Fire Department said the number is reducing.
The primary search efforts remain focused on the Salado Creek (Perrin Beitel event) and the Leon Creek near Highway 90 and Callaghan Rd areas, SAFD said.
“Texas A&M Task Force 1 is arriving in town and search specialists have begun assisting our efforts in these locations. This rescue / recovery effort will be an ongoing and extremely thorough process for days to come. Thank you for your patience in this ever-growing and expanding event. We will continue to provide you with updates as they are confirmed,” SAFD said.
San Antonio flooding
The backstory:
Crews responded to several emergency water rescue calls as people saw cars being swept away in the area of NE Loop 410 and Perrin Beitel shortly after 5 a.m. on June 12.
San Antonio police say at least 13 vehicles were found submerged at various locations.
There were several calls SAFD responded to pin connection to flooding.
The Source: Information from the San Antonio Fire Department and previous FOX 7 Austin coverage
A notice for residents to boil their tap water before using is immediately in effect until Sunday for those living near the Cupertino-Saratoga border, according to San Jose Water.
The advisory was prompted by a sudden loss of water pressure caused by nearby construction activity, the company said in a statement. Residents are advised to use bottled water, or boil tap water for at least one minute before using it for drinking, cooking or brushing their teeth.
Boil water alerts are issued when there is a decrease in pressure of one of the main water pipes. The incident can be caused by events like breaks, power outages, or maintenance activities.
Drops in water pressure can sometimes allow pollutants to seep into the water supply. Boiling water can kill any potential harmful organisms that might have made their way into the drinking water, the company states.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Chris Henry stood before the Cranbury Township Committee earlier this week, begging the town not to seize a historic farm his family has owned for generations.
Henry and his brother, Andy, grew up on the South River Road farm, completed their Eagle Scout projects in Cranbury and have returned year after year to help maintain the Middlesex County land their great-grandfather purchased in 1850.
“We love the town and have spent decades of our lives here, as have our parents and our ancestors,” Chris Henry said in the meeting Monday.
Their parents, both World War II veterans, left a lasting legacy in Cranbury, marked by their mother’s name etched on the town’s war memorial.
MORE: ‘We just want to keep the farm.’ N.J. family begs town not to seize 175-year-old land.
Since taking full ownership of the farm over a decade ago, the brothers said they have invested more than $200,000 to maintain it. Though the Henry brothers now live in New Mexico, they visit regularly to check on the property, which is run by a local tenant who raises sheep and cattle.
Cranbury officials are moving forward with plans to seize the 21-acre farm through eminent domain to make space for the construction of affordable housing. Town officials say they plan to pay the family a fair price for the land, even though the Henry brothers don’t want to sell.
The brothers are making a final push to save the land.
“We’re asking that the township committee look at other alternatives that don’t require this blunt force method of eminent domain against a family that does not want to sell their property,” Chris Henry said.
The family’s plea comes as Cranbury races to meet a June 30 deadline to submit its affordable housing plan to the state. The township is required to build 265 affordable housing units over the next decade — part of a statewide mandate that has stirred controversy in some towns.
By 2035, municipalities across New Jersey must add or renovate more than 146,000 affordable units under quotas established by the state. The mandate stems from the Mount Laurel Doctrine, a series of New Jersey Supreme Court rulings that require towns to provide their fair share of affordable housing in the region.
A sign reading “Save Andy’s Family Farm” is posted outside Cranbury Town Hall by residents opposing the township’s plaAndy Henry
Towns are not required to build the housing themselves. But they are required to come up with a plan that includes areas where developers can build affordable units.
To help meet those requirements, the Cranbury Township Committee voted unanimously on May 12 to acquire the Henry family farm.
The vote came a month after the Henry brothers received a letter notifying them that their property was being eyed for affordable housing.
If the family doesn’t agree to sell the farm, the land could be taken through the eminent domain process that allows the government to take private property. Land can be seized even when the owner doesn’t want to sell if the site will be used for a public purpose. The owner is paid a market price for the property.
Cranbury Mayor Lisa Knierim said the township committee spent more than a year reviewing over 50 sites before selecting the farm. She said the move was necessary to avoid costly legal lawsuits from developers — known as “builder’s remedy lawsuits” — that could strip the township of control over where and how affordable housing is built.
“A builder’s remedy would destroy the infrastructure, cripple our emergency services and overload our schools,” Knierim said. “Our decision was fact based, and whether people like it or not, that’s what this job is.”
“No one is in favor of eminent domain. No one wants to see a farm disappear,” she added.
Cranbury is expected to release its affordable housing plan by the end of the week, with a planning board meeting set for June 24 to review the proposal.
The township hasn’t disclosed what developers plan to build on the farm. That has left residents concerned about where the housing will be placed.
A historic photo of the Henry family farm in Cranbury, which the family has owned since the 1800s.Henry Family
According to former Cranbury Mayor Jay Taylor, who has been advocating for the family, the property is located in a warehouse zone and is undesirable for housing.
“There are other places to build, other options to consider, but there is only one Henry family farm, and once it’s gone, it’s gone forever,” Taylor said. “What message do we send our children if we tear down the field their ancestors fought to protect?”
The farm, situated between the New Jersey Turnpike and Route 130, is surrounded on all sides by industrial development. Across the street is the future site of what is expected to be a massive warehouse, Taylor added.
Warehouse developers have targeted the Henry family farm property for more than 30 years and the brothers said they have repeatedly turned down offers to sell. The site could now be worth more than $5 million, according to the family’s attorney.
The Henrys say they plan to challenge the township’s eminent domain decision in court if the development moves forward.
As of Wednesday, an online fundraiser had raised more than $27,500 toward a $50,000 goal to help cover legal costs.
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Connor Hellebuyck had a season for the ages, and the Winnipeg Jets goalie was recognized as such.
The 32-year-old was recently at home in Michigan enjoying a nice day fishing on the lake with his agent, Ray Petkau. While he was doing so, his family and friends gathered on his lawn, where they would soon surprise him with the news that he had joined a select group by winning the Hart Trophy as NHL MVP and the Vezina Trophy as the best goalie in the League in the same season.
They let him know one trophy at a time.
“Connor is going out fishing, doing what he loves the most besides hockey,” his wife Andrea said. “We’re going to try and surprise him with the Vezina (Trophy), which he has no idea that he’s getting.”
When Hellebuyck docked the boat and came ashore, the Vezina was waiting for him.
“At first I saw someone in my yard,” Hellebuyck said. “I was kind of confused about that.”
It’s the third time Hellebuyck has won the Vezina (2019-20, 2023-24), finishing ahead of finalists Andrei Vasilevskiy (Tampa Bay Lightning) and Darcy Kuemper (Los Angeles Kings), and he became the first goalie to win the Hart since Carey Price in 2014-15, finishing ahead of forwards Leon Draisaitl (Edmonton Oilers) and Nikita Kucherov (Lightning).
It’s the ninth time a goalie has won the award in its 101 years, with Dominik Hasek doing so twice.
“As a parent, you sit back and you’re just so happy that all your kids go out and find their dream, achieve their goals and all our kids are doing well,” his dad Chuck said. “To see Connor doing that and to be able to celebrate it like this, it’s a front-row seat that I’ll never forget.”
Hellebuyck also became the fifth goalie to win the Vezina and Hart in the same season (Price, 2014–15; Jose Theodore, 2001-02; Hasek, 1996-97, 1997-98; Jacques Plante, 1961-62).
“I mean, the Vezina is fantastic. But both?” Chuck said. “That’s just phenomenal.”
Hellebuyck went 47-12-3 and tied Vasilevskiy for the NHL lead with 63 games played. He led all goalies in wins, goals-against average (2.00; minimum 25 games) and shutouts (eight), and was second in save percentage (.925), behind Anthony Stolarz of the Toronto Maple Leafs (.926). He allowed two or fewer goals 40 times and one or fewer 27 times.
“Seeing all his hard work and dedication pay off like this, there’s nothing more rewarding,” Andrea said.
After the Vezina celebration, Jets backup goalie Eric Comrie then came running into the yard to congratulate his teammate, asking, “Where’s the other trophy?” before the Hart surfaced.
“That moment was like putting a little cherry on top,” Hellebuyck said of getting the Hart. “… I actually had no idea what this trophy looked like.
“Looking back, I’ll probably picture this day as one of the greatest of my career.”
Hellebuyck also won the William M. Jennings Trophy for helping the Jets allow an NHL-low 191 goals (including shootout-deciding goals) during the regular season. Winnipeg allowed 2.32 goals per game and won the Presidents’ Trophy as the team with the best regular-season record (56-22-4).
“I think he was in shock,” Comrie said of Hellebuyck. “It was one of the best seasons I’ve ever seen a goalie have in my life, and to be able to witness it and see how proud he was when he saw that trophy come out meant a lot.”
James Franco stepped out for a rare public appearance to celebrate his brother Dave Franco’s 40th birthday.
James, 47, was photographed with his brother at the 71st Taormina Film Festival in Taormina, Italy, on Wednesday, June 11. Dave stood in front of a birthday cake as his wife, Alison Brie, mom Betsy Franco, James, producer Tiziana Rocca and James’ girlfriend, Izabel Pakzad, stood beside him.
The appearance came nearly one year after James gave one of his first interviews in years, during which he publicly discussed the end of his friendship with former collaborator Seth Rogen.
“I haven’t talked to Seth. I love Seth, we had 20 great years together, but I guess it’s over. And not for lack of trying. I’ve told him how much he’s meant to me,” he told Variety in October 2024.
Seth, 43, reacted to the comments in a February 11 interview with Esquire, saying, “Honestly, I absorb so little media that it really wasn’t on my radar.”
The outlet reported, “That is all he wants to say about that.”
James and Seth worked together on a number of films through the years, but in 2018, James was accused of sexual misconduct by five women. Four of the women were students of the actor at Studio 4.
One of the women named Sarah Tither-Kaplan claimed James “abused his power by exploiting the non-celebrity women that he worked with under the guise of giving them opportunities,” in an interview with Good Morning America in January 2018.
James denied the allegations. In 2019, two of the students sued the actor in Los Angeles County Superior Court for sexual misconduct, claiming James and his business partners led “widespread inappropriate and sexually charged behavior towards female students by sexualizing their power as a teacher and an employer by dangling the opportunity for roles in their projects.”
James Franco, Dave Franco, Alison Brie, Betsy Franco, Tiziana Rocca, Izabel PakzadDaniele Venturelli
Three years later, James agreed to pay $2.2 million to settle the class-action lawsuit.
“While Defendants continue to deny the allegations in the complaint, they acknowledge that Plaintiffs have raised important issues; and all parties strongly believe that now is a critical time to focus on [addressing] the mistreatment of women in Hollywood,” a joint statement released after the settlement said.
James spoke out on SiriusXM’s “The Jess Cagle Podcast” in December 2021, months after settling the lawsuit. Though he initially denied the allegations against him, he did admit to sleeping with his students.
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Related: ‘Freaks and Geeks’ Cast: Where Are They Now?
Though it only lasted for one season, Freaks and Geeks quickly became a cult favorite — and kicked off the careers of some of Hollywood’s biggest stars. The teen comedy was developed by Judd Apatow and Paul Feig, and premiered on NBC during the fall of 1999. Set in a 1980s Detroit suburb, the series […]
“Over the course of my teaching, I did sleep with students, and that was wrong,” he said. “But like I said, it’s not why I started the school and I wasn’t the person that selected the people to be in the class. So it wasn’t a ‘master plan’ on my part. But yes, there were certain instances where, you know what, I was in a consensual thing with a student and I shouldn’t have been.”
“At the time I was not clearheaded, as I’ve said. So I guess it just comes down to my criteria was like, ‘If this is consensual, like, I think it’s cool. We’re all adults so…’” James added.
Elsewhere in the interview, he went on to say that he has “been doing a lot of work” and “was in recovery before for substance abuse” due to issues “related to addiction.”
Kristen Shilton is a national NHL reporter for ESPN.
Winnipeg Jets goaltender Connor Hellebuyck is the NHL’s Hart Trophy winner for the 2024-25 season.
The Jets’ veteran netminder was just the third goalie in the past 10 years to be a finalist for the Hart, awarded annually to the player “adjudged to be the most valuable to his team.” On Thursday he was revealed as the first goalie to win it since Carey Price in 2015, and the fourth overall at the position in the expansion era (since 1967-68).
Hellebuyck also won the Vezina Trophy as the NHL’s top goaltender, the third time he has earned that distinction (2020, ’24). And in so doing he became the first goalie to win the Hart and Vezina trophies in the same year since Price.
Hellebuyck was a nearly unanimous choice for the Vezina, earning 31 of 32 first-place votes from the NHL’s general managers. He got 81 of 191 first-place votes for the Hart from members of the Professional Hockey Writers Association. Edmonton’s Leon Draisaitl was second.
Both honors were announced during the league’s award show prior to Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Final on Thursday night. The broadcast showed footage of Hellebuyck’s family surprising him with the trophies earlier this spring at their home in Michigan. Hellebuyck’s goaltending partner in Winnipeg, Eric Comrie, was also part of the reveal.
“Looking back, I’ll probably picture this day as one of the greatest of my career,” Hellebuyck said of receiving the two trophies.
Hellebuyck had a dominant regular season for the Jets, collecting a league-leading 47 wins as Winnipeg paced the NHL in points to earn the franchise’s first Presidents’ Trophy. He also led qualified goalies in shutouts (8) and goals-against average (2.00) with the second-best save percentage (.925). Hellebuyck’s season also included one eight-game win streak and an 11-game point streak (9-0-2).
The success Hellebuyck generated in the regular season didn’t translate for Winnipeg in the playoffs. He posted a 6-7 mark through two rounds, with an .866 SV% and 3.08 GAA. Hellebuyck was pulled three times in the Jets’ first-round series against St. Louis, which Winnipeg eventually won in seven games. The Jets were then downed by Dallas in the second round.
Hellebuyck follows Dominik Hasek (1996-97 and 1997-98 with Buffalo), Jose Theodore (2001-02 with Montreal) and Price (2014-15 with Montreal) as the only goalies to win the Hart in the expansion era, according to ESPN Research.
The NHL previously announced winners of its other top awards, each with its own unique unveiling similar to Hellebuyck’s.
Tampa Bay Lightning forward Nikita Kucherov won the Ted Lindsay Award, given to the league’s most outstanding player as chosen by the players. Kucherov — who had a league-leading 84 assists in the regular season — also was a finalist for the Hart.
Florida Panthers forward Aleksander Barkov was awarded the Selke Trophy as the league’s best defensive forward. It was the third Selke win for Barkov (2021, ’24), who helped Florida achieve top-10 finishes in goals-against per game (7th), shots-against per game (5th) and penalty-kill efficiency (10th). Barkov also won the King Clancy Trophy, given to the player who “best exemplifies leadership qualities on and off the ice and has made a noteworthy humanitarian contribution in his community.”
Colorado Avalanche defenseman Cale Makar earned the Norris Trophy, given to the defense player who demonstrates the greatest all-round ability. It was the second Norris win of Makar’s career after a regular season where he led all NHL blueliners with 30 goals and 92 points.
Montreal Canadiens defenseman Lane Hutson won the Calder Trophy as the league’s most proficient rookie. Hutson led all freshmen with 66 points, and his 60 assists tied Larry Murphy for the NHL’s single-season record by a first-year skater.
Los Angeles Kings forward Anze Kopitar took home the Lady Byng Trophy, given to the player who best exemplifies gentlemanly conduct. He’s the 10th skater to win the award three times (2016, 2023). Kopitar was assessed just two minor penalties in the regular season while collecting 21 goals and 67 points.
Washington Capitals coach Spencer Carbery won the Jack Adams Award as the coach who contributed most to his team’s success. Carbery — in his second season behind the Capitals’ bench — led Washington to a 51-22-9 record and first-place finish in the Eastern Conference.
Capitals forward Alexander Ovechkin won the Mark Messier Award for Leadership.
Greece’s Council of State (CoS), the country’s highest administrative court, ruled by majority that a new law allowing the operation of non-state universities is constitutional, rejecting legal challenges filed by university professors and private college representatives.
The judges interpreted Article 16 of the Greek Constitution—which stipulates education is an obligation of the state and shall be provided exclusively by institutions that are fully self-governed public law legal persons—in light of evolving legislative and case law developments within European Union law, formally opening the door for the establishment and operation of private universities in Greece—provided that they ensure a high standard of education.
According to a statement issued by the President of the Council of State, Michalis Pikramenos, the court reached its decision after two plenary sessions. The ruling concerns the legality of setting up and operating branches of Higher Education Legal Entities (NPIEs) in Greece.
The full official announcement by the Council of State President followed deliberations held on April 11, 2025, regarding these landmark cases.
The operation of private universities in Greece has been a highly contentious issue for decades, with proponents of the state’s exclusivity claiming private universities would degrade education overall and favor the more privileged, while those for private institutions argue private tertiary education would benefit competition and increase the quality.
Commenting on the historic decision, Greece’s Education Minister, Kyriakos Pierrakakis, called it a “vindication” for the determination to “tear down barriers, break long-standing taboos, [and] overcome ideological fixations.” He added that it offered more choices and opportunities to students.
Dustin Johnson will aim to win the U.S. Open for a second time this week, but he is not the only sports star in his family, as his wife is Wayne Gretzky’s daughter
12:18 ET, 10 Jun 2025Updated 04:43 ET, 11 Jun 2025
Golf star Dustin Johnson with his wife Paulina Gretzky(Image: Andrew Redington/Getty Images)
Former U.S. Open winner Dustin Johnson has earned huge money through his golf career, but his wife is also set to inherit a fortune.
Former world No.1 Johnson has won two major championships, clinching the U.S. Open in 2016 and triumphing at the Masters in 2020. The 40-year-old will hope to win the U.S. Open for a second time this week, with the tournament set to get underway at the Oakmont Country Club on Thursday.
According to National Club Golfer, Johnson, who was crowned LIV Golf Individual Champion in 2022, has earned $57.7 million since joining the breakaway league in 2022. This does not include the $75.5M that Johnson has made on the PGA Tour. However, his wife Paulina, who posed for a photoshoot with Johnson ahead of the U.S. Open, was already familiar with sporting riches as the daughter of NHL great Wayne Gretzky.
Dustin Johnson and Paulina Gretzky’s relationship
Although the couple originally met in 2009, they did not begin dating until four years later. They subsequently engaged just seven months into the relationship, but waited until April 2022 to officially tie the knot at Blackberry Farm in Tennessee.
Johnson and Gretzky, 36, share two sons together. Their eldest son Tatum was born in 2015, followed by their second son River, two years later.
Paulina is one of five children born to her NHL legend dad Wayne and actress mother Janet Jones. While her husband has amassed a nine-figure fortune on the golf course, Johnson’s net worth is estimated to be less than half of his father-in-law’s.
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What is Wayne Gretzky’s net worth?
Gretzky, nicknamed ‘The Great One’ is widely regarded as one of the best ice hockey players in the sport’s history. Celebrity Net Worth estimates his wealth to be around $250M, while Johnson’s net worth is placed at $100M.
The 64-year-old’s playing career spanned 20 years in the NHL from 1979 to 1999. He remains the all-time leading points scorer and assist provider in the league and held 61 records at the time of his retirement.
Since the end of his playing career, Gretzky has been involved in team ownership and various other business ventures. As one of his five kids, Paulina could inherit a portion of Gretzky’s vast fortune in the future.
Paulina Gretzky with her NHL legend father Wayne Gretzky(Image: Patrick Smith/Getty Images)
How many houses does Wayne Gretzky own?
The family connection between Gretzky and Johnson was clear when the golf star sold his North Palm Beach mansion to the hockey icon in March 2022. The 7,169 sqft property was described as a five-bedroom canal-side house near the Harbor Isles community, coming complete with six bathrooms, an elevator, swimming pool and private dock.
The South Florida Business Journal reported that Gretzky bought the house for $4.5M, giving his son-in-law, Johnson, a $1.6M profit from what he had paid in 2015. The Gretzkys own another home in Palm Beach County, Florida, having bought an Alton Community townhouse for $1.58M in October 2021.
Raised in Brantford, Ontario, Sportskeeda stated that Gretzky also owns his childhood home. In 2012, Gretzky and his wife also bought a home in the Frontenac neighbourhood of St Louis, Missouri, to help take care of relatives on Jones’ side of the family. The fifth property in Gretzky’s portfolio is a lakehouse in McCall, Idaho, which boasts its own private dock and mountain views.
However, he no longer owns the luxury home in Thousand Oaks, California that was once known as ‘Gretzky Mansion’. Built by the NHL star in 2002, he sold it five years later for $18.5M, only to re-purchase the house in 2013 for $13.5M. Gretzky put the house up for sale for the second time in 2020 and it was eventually sold for $17.6M in 2021, per Bleacher Report.
Wayne Gretzky has built a fortune through his ice hockey career(Image: Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
Wayne Gretzky’s custom boat
Aside from her father’s collection of houses, Paulina may come to inherit the custom-built Steinway 340 HT powerboat that her parents bought in September 2021. The 34-foot mahogany vessel can go up to 50mph and was bought while Gretzky was staying in their Idaho lakehouse.
The Steinway was hand-built by Couer Custom from sapele hardwood. It can seat up to 12 people and has loungers situated in the open-bow area. The large main cockpit includes sofas for relaxation and has an upholstered sunpad at the stern. For those that want to stay in the shade, the hardtop features an electric bimini.
Essentially Sports claimed Gretzky paid $900k to have Couer Customs design the boat, which features a Canadian flag at the back.
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“We literally had a couple of days enjoying the boat before we left town. But we’re heading back next week, the boat goes back in the water, and then we’ll have the entire summer on the lake to have fun,” Gretzky told Robb Report in June 2022.
“The boatyard told me it would go fast, but to tell you the truth, I’m not too bothered about that,” says Gretzsky. “I was relatively fast when I skated, but these days I drive my car slow. I’m happy to drive my boat slow. I’ll take comfort over speed any day.”
However, Gretzky credited his wife with helping to design the boat: “She’s the creative one in the family; the only thing I asked for was to have a Canadian flag at the back,” he said.
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“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood” came out in 2019, and was a monster hit.
Published•Updated
Quentin Tarantino reportedly is about to be a lot richer.
Tarantino is one of the most powerful filmmakers in Hollywood. There are often long gaps between his films, and when he shoots, he scores.
His projects take years, but never disappoint. One of his best films is “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.”
The 2019 film starred Brad Pitt and Leonardo DiCaprio, and offered an alternate history to the Charles Manson attacks. It was an incredible piece of cinema.
Tarantino is making a sequel to the 2019 hit titled “The Adventures of Cliff Booth” (the character played by Pitt), and he will be paid handsomely for his efforts.
The InSneider reported (via WorldofReel.com) that Netflix is paying Tarantino a staggering $20 million for the script.
DiCaprio reportedly was offered $3 million to appear in a small minor cameo role in the sequel. There’s no word on Pitt’s compensation, but I’d imagine it’s also sky-high if DiCaprio is getting $3 million for a cameo.
Those are outrageous numbers across the board.
Director Quentin Tarantino reportedly is being paid $20 million by Netflix to write the script for “The Adventures of Cliff Booth.” The film is a direct sequel to “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” (Photo by Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images)
In case you didn’t know how deep Netflix’s pockets are, this should sum it up well. Paying a guy $20 million to write a script is unreal.
There probably aren’t many humans on the planet that could command that kind of money, but Tarantino is in a league of his own when it comes to making movies.
Everything he touches turns to gold, and Netflix is clearly banking on “The Adventures of Cliff Booth” being a serious hit.
That probably seems to be a very safe bet to make.
Quentin Tarantino is making a sequel to “Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.” (Photo by Gareth Cattermole/Getty Images)
There’s no set release date for “The Adventures of Cliff Booth.” It will likely be a couple of years, but the wait will be worth it. Let me know what you think at David.Hookstead@outkick.com.
Although the organization’s main sights are on winning its second Stanley Cup championship in as many years, the Florida Panthers have a few key pending unrestricted free agents to worry about. In an interview on NHL Network, David Pagnotta believes negotiations are going much better with one than they are with the other.
A few days ago, James Mirtle of The Athletic reported that virtually no teams are expecting Sam Bennett to reach free agency, and Pagnotta believes that’s the case. In the interview, Pagnotta shared that Bennett and the Panthers are negotiating a new deal that would pay him approximately $64MM over eight years.
Bennett’s value largely comes from his postseason performances and the intangibles. AFP Analytics projected Bennett’s next deal around the six-year, $40MM range, which is reasonable given he’s only scored more than 50 points in one season. Still, he’s an extremely physical forward, has responded well to Florida’s possession-heavy scheme, and has a unique ability to get under the skin of opponents.
He’s been an instrumental part of the Panthers’ run to three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals. Since the start of the 2022-23 postseason, Bennett has scored 26 goals and 50 points in 60 games, and is leading this year’s playoffs in goals. Outside of putting pucks in the net, Bennett has made headlines this postseason for his extracurricular activity, particularly his somewhat egregious physicality toward opposing teams’ netminders.
Unfortunately, negotiations aren’t going as smoothly with defenseman Aaron Ekblad, according to Pagnotta. Despite Ekblad’s public desire to remain with the only organization he’s known, Ekblad and his representation are asking for a similar or increased salary on his current $7.5MM AAV, but the Panthers only feel comfortable paying him in the $6MM range.
In Florida’s defense, Ekblad has had significant injury issues throughout his entire career, only playing in a full campaign in three seasons out of his 11-year career. Still, offering him a 20% pay decrease as the salary cap rises projects as an unbridgeable gap.
Ekblad is only a few weeks away from reaching unrestricted free agency for the first time in his career, and he could become more amenable to a lower salary if his comfortability in Florida outweighs his salary demands. Still, as a capable top-four right-handed defenseman, Ekblad should be able to match or increase his salary on the open market.
