Days after calling Canada the 51st state, Panthers exec's social media post labeled 'unacceptable' by NHL gets him suspended

Douglas Cifu, the vice chairman and alternate governor of the Florida Panthers, is in major hot water now. Following his team's victory in the playoffs over the Toronto Maple Leafs, he responded to an account known for trolling sports team owners.

He called Canada the 51st state, a talking point President Donald Trump has used time and again as he claims he wants to annex the country to his immediate north.

The NHL, as a result of his online conduct, suspended the executive. Their statement read via The Toronto Sun:

“The NHL has concluded that Mr. Cifu’s X posts were unacceptable and inappropriate. As a result, Mr. Cifu has been suspended indefinitely from any involvement with the Club and the NHL. An in-person meeting will be scheduled with Mr. Cifu and the Commissioner at a date to be determined.”

The account associated with the vulgar tweets has a blue checkmark, but the new X protocol does not guarantee that verified users are who they claim to be. However, the account's bio reads, "Partner Cup Champion Florida Panthers and CEO of Virtu Financial (VIRT). Shill Team 6 Leader. All tweets are mine."

The posts have since been made private, but it appears the damage has been done. He is now indefinitely suspended from the team during the Stanley Cup Playoffs and will have another potential punishment laid down at a later date.

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What did Florida Panthers exec say on social media?

Douglas Cifu's X account, or at least one that has gone to great lengths to impersonate him, posted several times following Game 4 of the team's series with the Toronto Maple Leafs.

The Florida Panthers exec was suspended (Imagn)

The Panthers' alternate owner engaged with @mrgrozz on X after the account asked whether using headshots to win an NHL series was worse than "starvation as a weapon to win a war."

Cifu responded:

“Eat s**t 51st state anti-semite loser. Israel now and forever. Until ever last Hamas rat is eliminated."

Cifu also allegedly said:

“Actually being a whiny dope anti-Semite is clearly worse. Loser.”

The posts didn't stay up long, but they got the attention of the NHL and forced a suspension during a crucial time for the team.