NHL commissioner Gary Bettman on Panthers-Lightning preseason brawls: ‘That was over the top’

Yahoo SportsTuesday, October 7, 2025 at 10:49:00 PM
NegativeSports
The recent preseason clashes between the Florida Panthers and Tampa Bay Lightning have raised eyebrows, with NHL commissioner Gary Bettman calling the violence 'over the top.' These intense matchups, fueled by last season's playoff elimination of Tampa Bay by Florida, resulted in nearly 500 penalty minutes and several fines and suspensions. This matters because it highlights the ongoing rivalry and the need for the league to address player safety amidst escalating tensions.
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