League to open season with tripleheader; Avs play Kings in the late game

NEW YORK>> The Florida Panthers are set to raise their second consecutive Stanley Cup banner before beginning the NHL season against the Chicago Blackhawks.

The back-to-back champions play at 3 p.m. MDT on Oct. 7 to lead off an opening night tripleheader, the league announced Monday.

Also on Oct. 7, the New York Rangers host the Pittsburgh Penguins at 6 p.m. with the Colorado Avalanche visiting the Los Angeles Kings at 8:30 p.m. MDT. The remainder of the schedule is set to be released Wednesday.

Ex-NFL QB Bridgewater says that he has been suspended from coaching

MIAMI>> Former NFL quarterback Teddy Bridgewater said he has been suspended from coaching his former high school team in Miami because he provided players with financial benefits that he says he’d reported to the school.

The 32-year-old Bridgewater publicized action taken against him by Miami Northwestern High School in a social media post. “I’m not going anywhere,” he said. Bridgewater wrote that he paid for rides, meals and treatment for players last season. This year, he solicited donations to help cover those costs.

Source: Jets, WR Garrett Wilson agree on a 4-year, $130M contract extension

NEW YORK>> The New York Jets and wide receiver Garrett Wilson have agreed on a four-year, $130 million contract extension, a person familiar with the situation said. Wilson had more than 1,000 yards receiving in each of his first three years.

Source: Sun Belt invites Louisiana Tech to join

NEW ORLEANS>> The Sun Belt Conference has formally approved a proposal to extend a membership invitation to Louisiana Tech, a person familiar with the situation said.

The person said it is not clear how soon the Bulldogs will join the Sun Belt, but that it could be as early as the 2026 football season if the university is able to negotiate an early departure from Conference USA.

Wembanyama says he’s been cleared to return

San Antonio Spurs star Victor Wembanyama expects to play this coming season and has been fully cleared after dealing with deep vein thrombosis in his shoulder for the last few months, he told the French newspaper L’Equipe in remarks published Monday.

76ers’ Paul George has arthroscopic knee surgery

Philadelphia 76ers wing player Paul George had arthroscopic surgery on his left knee to treat an injury that occurred during a recent workout. He will be re-evaluated prior to the start of training camp, the Sixers said.

23XI, Front Row seek court order to retain charters

23XI Racing and Front Row Motorsports, the two race teams suing NASCAR over antitrust allegations, filed for a temporary restraining order and preliminary injunction to be recognized as chartered organizations for the remainder of 2025.

The teams were set to lose their charters Wednesday and in the latest filing, they allege NASCAR has indicated it will immediately begin the process of selling the six tags that guarantee entry into every race.

— The Associated Press