The preseason game between the Florida Panthers and the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday saw 312 penalty minutes and 13 game misconducts. Now, the league has handed out fines — but fans are not happy…
The Battle of Florida is more heated than ever. During the preseason, the teams faced each other three times, and across those games, they combined for 498 penalty minutes and 14 game misconducts. Many analysts and fans called Saturday’s game outrageous.
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Tampa Bay Lightning fines
Now, the league has handed out the consequences. The league issued several personal fines to players on both teams. On top of that, the Tampa Bay Lightning were fined $100,000, and coach Jon Cooper was fined $25,000. Fans are not happy with the league’s decision.
Fans are furious
The NHL Department of Player Safety is being heavily criticized by fans who believe it is being too lenient on the Panthers. According to fans, the reason is that the league’s Executive Vice President and Director of Hockey Operations, Colin Campbell, has a son, Greg Campbell, who currently works as an assistant general manager for the Florida Panthers.
“DoPS stands for Department of Panthers Safety. You didn’t know that?” one fan wrote on Reddit.
“The fine, levied by the NHL Hockey Ops department (overseen by Florida’s assistant GM’s father), goes to ‘charitable’ causes,” another wrote on X.
“How could we look more corrupt and unserious as a league? Colin Campbell: ‘Hold my beer,’” a third fan wrote.
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