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This is Defector, a new sports blog and media company. We made this place together, we own it together, we run it together. Without access, without favor, without discretion, and without interference.

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Better Hate An Owner

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Ray Ratto

The NBA Finals Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy and the NHL Stanley Cup are pictured in the Paddock during previews ahead of the F1 Grand Prix of Miami at Miami International Autodrome on May 02, 2024 in Miami, Florida.

The Playoffs Go Tinfoil

Lauren Theisen

Connor McDavid is stopped by Sergei Bobrovsky

The Charge Of The Oil Brigade

Barry Petchesky

EDMONTON, CANADA - JUNE 13: Ryan Nugent-Hopkins #93 of the Edmonton Oilers skates past Carter Verhaeghe #23 of the Florida Panthers during the first period of Game Three of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Rogers Place on June 13, 2024 in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Codie McLachlan/Getty Images)

Panther Sticks Are Everywhere

<p>Heather Chen is a former Defector intern and the managing editor at the <em>Columbia Daily Spectator</em>. She loves hockey, photography, and the good ol’ state of Michigan.</p>


Heather Wei-Xi Chen

NHL team officials watch prospects take part in testing during the NHL Combine at HarborCenter on June 3, 2017 in Buffalo, New York.

Asking NHL Prospects These Questions Will Fix Your Franchise

Evan Rodrigues celebrates after scoring a goal

The Panthers Kept The Faith

16 Nov 1999: The Mascot of the Colorado Avalanche smiles for the camera during the game against the Ottowa Senators at the Pepsi Center in Denver, Colorado. The Avalanche defeated the Senators 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Brian Bahr /Allsport

Utah Hockey Must Seize Howler The Yeti For Their Own Nefarious Purposes

ALEXANDRIA, VIRGINIA - DECEMBER 13: Monumental Sports &amp; Entertainment CEO Ted Leonsis (R) arrives for the announcement of a new sports arena for the Washington Wizards NBA basketball team and Washington Capitals NHL hockey team, December 13, 2023 in Alexandria, Virginia. Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin announced a tentative agreement with Monumental Sports &amp; Entertainment that would move the Wizards and the Capitals from Washington, DC to what Youngkin called a new "visionary sports and entertainment venue" in northern Virginia. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)

The Washington Capitals, You Have Made A Powerful Enemy Today

SUNRISE, FL - JUNE 08: Florida Panthers goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky (72) makes a tough save in the first period during game one of the Stanley Cup Finals between the Edmonton Oilers and the Florida Panthers on Saturday, June 8, 2024 at Amerant Bank Area in Sunrise, Fla. (Photo by Peter Joneleit/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Bob Was As Good As Goalies Get

Oliver Ekman-Larsson #91 of the Florida Panthers checks Jack Roslovic #96 of the New York Rangers into the boards

The Panthers Will Do Anything

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 20: Matthew Tkachuk #19 of the Florida Panthers looks on after a fight against the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period in Game Two of the Eastern Conference Final of the 2023 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 20, 2023 in Raleigh, North Carolina. He's kind of holding hands with the ref that's carting him away

Matthew Tkachuk Is My Beloved American Girl Doll

Jake Oettinger during pregame introductions

The Stars Crashed Down To Earth

EDMONTON, CANADA - JUNE 02: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers celebrates his first-period goal against the Dallas Stars in Game Six of the Western Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at Rogers Place on June 2, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Connor McDavid What In The Actual Hell

EDMONTON, CANADA - JUNE 02: Fans cheer on the Edmonton Oilers in Game Six of the Western Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs against the Dallas Stars at Rogers Place on June 2, 2024, in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Andy Devlin/NHLI via Getty Images)

Edmonton At The End

Wyatt Johnston scores a goal on Stuart Skinner

Sometimes The Puck Goes In, And Sometimes It Doesn’t

DALLAS, TEXAS - MAY 23: Connor McDavid #97 of the Edmonton Oilers reacts after his game winning goal against the Dallas Stars during the second overtime in Game One of the Western Conference Final of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at American Airlines Center on May 23, 2024 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo by Cooper Neill/Getty Images)

The Oilers Bailed Out Connor McDavid And He Returned The Favor

Arts And Culture

What Makes Hockey Hockey?

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 16: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers celebrates after scoring a goal against Frederik Andersen #31 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the third period in Game Six of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 16, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)

Chris Kreider Saved The Rangers’ Asses

David Roth

Caitlin Clark disputing a call during her first WNBA game, a loss to the Connecticut Sun at Mohegan Sun Arena on May 14, 2024,

Podcasts

When The Planes Become Available, With Maitreyi Anantharaman

NASHVILLE, TN - JUNE 26: Mark Messier is shown on the red carpet prior to the 2023 NHL Awards, held on June 26, 2023, at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Danny Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

Mark Messier Selects Winner Of Mark Messier Award For Player Who Best Exemplifies Qualities Of Mark Messier

Where Is Wyatt Johnston’s Off Switch?

EDMONTON, AB - MAY 12: Edmonton Oilers Goalie Stuart Skinner (74) makes a save in the second period of game five of the Western Conference Second Round Edmonton Oilers game versus the Vancouver Canucks on May 12, 2024 at Rogers Place in Edmonton, AB. (Photo by Curtis Comeau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)

The Oilers Have Two Goalie Problems

I Am Begging For A Goalie Fight In Panthers-Bruins

RALEIGH, NORTH CAROLINA - MAY 09: Chris Kreider #20 of the New York Rangers scores a goal against Pyotr Kochetkov #52 of the Carolina Hurricanes during the second period in Game Three of the Second Round of the 2024 Stanley Cup Playoffs at PNC Arena on May 09, 2024 in Raleigh, North Carolina. (Photo by Josh Lavallee/NHLI via Getty Images)

The Rangers Are Killers

Sportsnet's Hockey Night In Canada studio set

The Best Way To Stream The NHL Playoffs Is Dead

SALT LAKE CITY, UT - APRIL 19: The main entrance of the Delta Center is seen with the "NHL in Utah" logos on April 19, 2024 in Salt Lake City, Utah. The NHL has allowed the sale of the Arizona Coyotes and the team will relocate to Salt Lake City, Utah. (Photo by Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

NHL