Panthers Coach Responds Humorously to Trouba’s $5,000 Fine
New York Rangers defenseman Jacob Trouba has been fined $5,000 by the NHL, but Florida Panthers head coach Paul Maurice isn’t offering any sympathy.
The NHL’s Department of Player Safety imposed the maximum fine allowed under the Collective Bargaining Agreement on Trouba for elbowing Panthers forward Evan Rodrigues in Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Final on May 26.
When asked about Trouba’s fine at a media session the next day, Maurice responded with humor.
“Pass the hat around,” Maurice joked. “Poor guy. Poor Jake. He won’t be able to eat.” Given Trouba’s seven-year contract worth $8 million per season, the $5,000 fine is unlikely to impact him significantly. This marks the third fine in Trouba’s 10-year NHL career, his second this season after a high-sticking incident involving Trent Frederic of the Boston Bruins on November 25, as noted by ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski.
Maurice Avoids Commenting on Trouba’s Hit on Rodrigues
Trouba hit Rodrigues with an elbow late in the second period of Game 2, causing Rodrigues to remain on the ice for several minutes before leaving with the training staff. Rodrigues returned for the third period and overtime, but the Panthers lost 5-4 to the Rangers.
Initially assessed a major penalty for the hit, Trouba’s penalty was reduced to a two-minute minor after an official review.
Maurice, who coached Trouba for six seasons with the Winnipeg Jets from 2013 to 2019, was asked if he thought Trouba deserved a major penalty for the hit. Maurice opted not to comment.
“I think I’ve got enough on my plate,” he said, according to Peter Baugh of The Athletic. “I’m not going to do any refereeing or player safety tonight.”
Panthers Aim to Recover After Consecutive Overtime Losses
The Panthers began the Eastern Conference Final with a decisive 3-0 victory over the Rangers in Game 1 on May 22. However, following back-to-back overtime defeats in Games 2 and 3, they are now at risk of elimination for the first time this postseason.
In Game 3, the Panthers overcame a 4-2 deficit to tie the game and force overtime. However, Rangers forward Alex Wennberg scored the game-winning goal just under six minutes into the extra period, sealing a 5-4 victory.
Trailing in a playoff series for the first time since the 2023 Stanley Cup Final against the Vegas Golden Knights, the Panthers face a crucial Game 4 on May 28. Florida previously defeated the Tampa Bay Lightning in five games in the first round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs and then overcame the Bruins in six games in the second round
