NHL suspends Florida Panthers exec for back-and-forth with playoff opponent's fan about Israel, Canada

The National Hockey League announced on Tuesday that a minority owner of the Florida Panthers has been suspended due to his social media activity.

Doug Cifu got into a spat with a Toronto Maple Leafs fan that turned into a discussion about the Israel-Palestine conflict and Cifu mentioning Canada as the "51st state."

Florida and Toronto are currently facing off in the second round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs.

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The series has been rather chippy, which began with a high hit from Florida's Sam Bennett on Leafs goalie Anthony Stolarz - later in the game, Stolarz got sick on the bench and has not played since.

A fan, with the name "Dr. Grizzo," posted on X, "Hey, what's worse, using headshots to win a series or using starvation as a weapon to win a war?"

Cifu responded, "Actually being a whiny dope anti-semite is clearly worse. Loser."

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"Not approving of using starvation as a weapon makes me a bigot?" the fan replied, adding a derogatory comment about Cifu's conservative political views.

Cifu wrote back, "Eat s--- 51st state anti-semite loser. Israel now and forever. Until ever [sic] last Hamas rat is eliminated."

Cifu then made his account private and deactivated his account.

"Two days ago, I posted regrettable and inflammatory comments on social media. My behavior does not reflect the standards of the Florida Panthers organization and the Viola family. I sincerely apologize to all those affected by my comments. I am committed to working with the NHL to amend my actions."

The series is tied at two games apiece with Game 5 in Toronto on Wednesday night.

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