Does Matvei Michkov deserve more ice time? A deep dive into the much-discussed Flyers forward
Michkov is the best offensive spark the Flyers have, but his ice time is trending down again. What gives, and is the logic justified?.
NHL
9th November 2026
NHL weekend rankings: Patrice Bergeron convinced me to put Boston in the Top 5
It's Hall of Fame day, and one inductee had a heavy influence on this week's rankings while another's former team marks a surprise.
NHL Draft prospects ranking: Way-too-early top-10 list for the 2028 class
The 2028 NHL Draft class is headlined by WHL teammates Liam Pue and Maddox Schultz.
How to watch the 2026 Hockey Hall of Fame induction ceremony
The 2026 class stars four NHL notables, a U.S. women’s national team fixture and an accomplished executive.
Ugly, generic jerseys overshadow U.S. and Canada at IIHF Women’s World Championship
The bizarre jersey fiasco at women's worlds is the result of a months-long conflict between Hockey Canada, USA Hockey and the IIHF.
Ducks' Cutter Gauthier joins rare air with third hat trick in 5 games: 'Hotter than a firecracker'
The Anaheim Ducks left wing has scored 13 goals in his last six games.
Devils announce Connor Hellebuyck will not start in return to Winnipeg
Hellebuyck said not playing in his first game back in Winnipeg after the trade was not his decision.
Jeff Blashill will remain Blackhawks coach despite 4-13-1 start: Source
Despite a 9-2 loss to the Carolina Hurricanes on Saturday, Jeff Blashill will remain the Chicago bench boss.
8th November 2026
Andrei Vasilevskiy hopes Nikita Kucherov, Lightning can find ‘perfect golden middle’
Vasilevskiy said it would “mean a lot” to be a Lightning lifer — and he still hopes Kucherov joins him despite asking out of Tampa Bay.
As Blackhawks hit new level of embarrassment, all options are suddenly on the table
The Blackhawks held a players-only meeting aimed at "getting out some frustration" after a brutal 9-2 loss to the Hurricanes.
Canadiens goalie Jacob Fowler says fake apple was 'thrown right at me' mid-play
Referee TJ Luxmore picked up the fake green apple and kept it in his pocket, later showing it to the goalie during a stoppage in play.
Keith Tkachuk says 'it's time Ottawa moves on' after son Brady's trade to Florida
Keith Tkachuk also said comments made by Brian Burke about players trying to force their way onto specific teams were "about my kids.".
IIHF gives update on Russia, reaffirms Belarus won't play World Juniors and World Championship
The IIHF said it was “reviewing what conditions would need to be met” regarding Russia’s reintegration into its competition.
7th November 2026
Which active NHL players have the best Hockey Hall of Fame cases? One from every team
From superstars who are Hall of Fame locks to young franchise players who could continue building their cases, here is who we picked.
Why these 5 underrated NHL sophomore players are breaking out
Let's move past the obvious names and break down five less-heralded, underrated sophomore players who have taken huge strides this season.
Who backs up the emergency backup goalie? Explaining the NHL's EBUG replacement situation
There's still a chance, however minuscule, to see a fully amateur goalie play in an NHL game.
Wild make NHL history as fastest team to win 1,000 regular-season games
Kirill Kaprizov, Quinn Hughes, Matt Boldy and Joel Eriksson Ek extended their point streaks to seven games as the Wild beat the Sharks.
An NHL player was penalized for a 'one-man fight.' It's more common than you might think
When the Oilers' Vasily Podkolzin recently dropped his gloves against the Ducks' Drew Helleson, only he was assessed a fighting major. Why?.
Brock Faber opens up about fractured skull, frightening aftermath and road back to Wild
Wild defenseman thought he was fine after he took a shot to the side of the head. He soon found out he was wrong.
Wayne Gretzky marvels at Connor McDavid, on pace to chase his records: 'He's on a mission'
McDavid is on pace for 217 points — territory not approached since Gretzky and Mario Lemieux — and has scored in 17 straight games.
What the NHL can learn from the NBA about its player empowerment movement
Let's explore what hockey fans can expect as star players drive player movement more than ever.
NHL Power Rankings: A Top 10 shuffle — plus, Nikita Kucherov's impact on each team
What's the power of adding a top-five player in hockey? Kucherov alone has the power to move a team up several tiers.
Canada, U.S. take the ice in generic jerseys at women's worlds: 'It's unfortunate'
The Canadian and American women's hockey teams appeared at the 2026 IIHF Women's World Championship in generic jerseys.
6th November 2026
What if Hockey Hall of Fame inductees had to go in representing a single NHL team?
What would the Hockey Hall of Fame look like if it decided to copy the Baseball Hall of Fame and assign each player to a specific team?.
Nikita Kucherov wants a big payday. The Lightning would be smart to move on from him
Thinking the Lightning mishandled the situation with Kucherov misses key context of an uncertain new landscape for league-wide negotiations.
Nearing Hall of Fame induction, Patrice Bergeron still binds the Boston Bruins
Three years after his retirement, the standout center is still making an impact on key parts of the only franchise for which he ever played.
Connor McDavid fuming after 'dangerous' Drew Helleson hit: ‘I’ve got feelings and emotions too’
McDavid made it known in his immediate exchange and in his candid postgame comments that he took umbrage at Helleson's actions.
What's wrong with the Sharks? Will a players-only meeting spark a turnaround?
San Jose entered the season with playoff expectations but has lost five of its last six games.
Guide to IIHF 2026 Women's World Championship: Jersey drama, how to watch, format
The 2026 IIHF Women's World Championship begins Friday in Denmark. Here's everything you need to know about the tournament.
Wild's Brock Faber practices for first time since skull fracture, approaching return
Faber will join the Wild on their three-game road trip next week, but coach John Hynes said his return date is a “moving target.”.
PWHL announces new rules for 2026-27: Neck guards, checking and experimental overtime
A team now will be able to choose a penalty shot instead of a power play in overtime.
5th November 2026
This Week in Sports Trivia: Nov. 5, 2026
How closely were you following the sports news this week? Find out and test your knowledge by taking The Athletic's weekly quiz.
16 NHL stats: Nikita Kucherov's UFA value and the Lightning's big mistake
Plus: Toronto’s improved slot pass defense on the PK and Edmonton's drastic switch to dump-and-chase hockey.
Kirill Kaprizov's pursuit of 70 goals shows he's reached yet another elite level
A deeper look below the gaudy scoring totals to open the year shows what a force Kaprizov has been so far.
Michael DiPietro, a lasting loss and the love of a Boston Bruins goalie dad
Four years after nearly quitting hockey, DiPietro is the Bruins' backup goalie. His father Vic played an instrumental role in the journey.
Anaheim Ducks' Hometown Remix jersey is a sellout smash. Will it join the full-time rotation?
In addition to the online sellout, the Ducks said they also sold more than 2,000 of the jerseys at their team store in the first 24 hours.
Nikita Kucherov-Lightning split is looming. How hard should each NHL team pursue him?
The biggest bombshell of the season came last week when the longtime Lightning star and pending UFA asked for a trade.
If an NHL career unfolds without fans in the stands, did it really happen?
Due to COVID-19, five skaters realized their NHL dreams in empty arenas. Their experience is unlike any rookie's in league history.
Burn the boats! Why a 500-year-old myth became a rallying cry for sports teams
“Motivation isn't just about how much you want something,” a professor wrote. “It's also about whether you believe you have other options.”.
As Blackhawks' free fall continues, will heads roll or will cooler heads prevail?
Are the Blackhawks' woes just a slump or something worse? The team will have to decide.
Canada, U.S. women will wear generic jerseys at World Championship amid dispute with IIHF
The jerseys for the World Championship will feature a no-frills design limited to their country names across the front.
Hockey's Russia crisis deepens as major sponsors threaten to pull out of 2027 men's World Championship
Car manufacturer Škoda and workwear brand Strauss have expressed opposition to Russian involvement at next year's World Championship.
Connor Hellebuyck addresses Jets fans for first time since trade to Devils
Hellebuyck offered insight into his decision to request a trade out of Winnipeg, calling it an "extremely difficult" one.
Why Flyers' Zegras sat for 10 minutes after 'showing the ref up' in loss
Zegras received a 10-minute misconduct after banging his stick on the ice in response to an unfortunate play.
4th November 2026
Why the NHL's skyrocketing salary cap presents opportunities for these 5 teams
The NHL's salary cap could jump 33 percent in just three years. These teams are in great position to take advantage.
Five times an NHL player had a monster year, then got traded during the following season
A star player being traded, especially after a big season, is unusual in the NHL, certainly. But it’s not all that rare.
Michael Hage, Adam Benák and 8 more standout NHL prospects so far this season
We're a month into the hockey season in North America, and two months into campaigns across Europe.
Mammoth have become an NHL destination. What's next? Catching up with Bill Armstrong
Could the Mammoth get in on Dylan Larkin? Or Nikita Kucherov? Armstrong is weighing his options and has a reputation for taking big swings.
Lunch with Rod Brind'Amour: The face of the Hurricanes on the Cup run and why he'll never quit
Retirement? “I suck at that,” Brind'Amour says. "My wife knows it. But I feel like I am retired. … I get to come in here and do this.".
Jets beat Canadiens in OT after trailing 4-0 with 3 minutes left, setting NHL record
The Winnipeg Jets snapped a nine-game winless streak with one of the most unlikely wins in NHL history on Tuesday.
Jets set NHL record with latest 4-goal comeback win in league history vs. Canadiens
The Jets scored their first goal with 2:39 remaining in the third period and won 5-4 in overtime.
Canadian prime minister says Russian athletes won't compete for their country at World Juniors
The decision comes after a ruling Friday that Russia must be allowed to compete in IIHF events again, starting with the World Juniors.
Kucherov trade request heightens NHL's soap opera era. Plus: Your votes on Larkin-Red Wings spat
Let's get you caught up on the Nikita Kucherov mess and the rest of the drama around the league.
Sweden, Norway among nations refusing to play Russian hockey teams after CAS decision
Last week, the Court of Arbitration for Sport ruled that Russia should be allowed to compete in international hockey events again.
3rd November 2026
Why NHL expansion should also lead to expanding and improving the playoff field
Expansion gives the league a chance to recharge the competitive balance and fix a flawed playoff system.
2027 NHL Draft ranking: Landon DuPont leads Pronman's top 25 prospects
Early on this season, the 2027 NHL Draft class looks about average, with DuPont and Dima Zhilkin standing out as the best prospects.
Why do NFL leaders turn to a husband-wife duo for advice? The secret behind the Blancks
Ryan and Amanda Blanck have worked with coaches of executives from around the NFL, college sports and the NHL.
Finland seeks united front against Russia's return to international hockey
Finland is seeking allies to oppose Russia's return to international hockey after a court ruling cleared the way for its reinstatement.
NHL rumblings: Nikita Kucherov trade request has teams lining up — if Lightning will move him
One NHL GM estimated that "31 teams" will try to acquire Nikita Kucherov if he's available.
Nikita Kucherov explains trade request: Lightning 'made it clear that I’m free to walk on July 1'
Speaking for the first time since Friday's bombshell, Kucherov said he wants out because of "poor communication and respect.".
Which NHL team has the best Hometown Remix jersey? Ranking all 32
There wasn’t much consensus among our panel about which teams would wear Fanatics’ first foray into a league-wide alternate look the best.
NHL, Fanatics release Hometown Remix jerseys for all 32 teams
Teams across the league are currently expecting to wear the new alternate jerseys several times during the 2026-27 season.
Inside Hockey Canada's new big push to fix its national goaltending woes
In hiring former Oilers goalie coach Dustin Schwartz as its first director of goaltending, Hockey Canada is making the position a priority.
'Dear Hockey': Ryan Reaves debuts on TNT panel after emotional NHL retirement
After carving out an unlikely NHL career of 962 games as an enforcer, Reaves is bringing his knowledge of the game to the broadcast booth.
2nd November 2026
NHL weekend rankings: Nikita Kucherov shocker, plus early stories I'm starting to buy
With the Lightning facing a trade request from their best player one week after the Hellebuyck trade, it's a tough month for the top five.
NHL trade board 3.0: Rumor mill in high gear after Nikita Kucherov's seismic trade request
Kucherov now sits atop a Big Board that already featured Olympic and Stanley Cup champions, Norris winners and a Conn Smythe winner.
Why a Canadian NHL streaming shift is hitting Maple Leafs fans harder than most
The move to paywalled Monday games on Sportsnet+ comes as parent company Rogers takes full ownership of the Maple Leafs.
Seattle Kraken trade Shane Wright to Nashville Predators for Matthew Wood: Sources
A top-five draft pick in 2022, Wright subsequently struggled to find his footing with Seattle, registering just 27 points last season.
1st November 2026
How Canada's new time zones are impacting NHL teams: Travel plans, start times and more
The new time zone is an additional complication for Vancouver while juggling the usual flow of the regular season.
Nikita Kucherov's current, former teammates react to trade request: 'A tough day'
Kucherov’s shocking trade request from the Lightning did not seem to impact his play or change how his teammates feel about him.
Team USA announces roster for 2026 Women’s World Championship
The roster includes 20 returning players from Team USA's gold medal Olympic team.
31st October 2026
What's next for the Lightning and Nikita Kucherov after a shocking trade request?
The messy situation between Kucherov and Tampa Bay changes the landscape of league, and where it goes from here will be beyond fascinating.
Every NHL team's biggest surprise early in the 2026-27 season
What has been each team’s biggest surprise so far, good, bad or ugly? Here’s what The Athletic's NHL staff said.
The airline lost my (hockey) bag: Inside an NHL player's delayed season debut
After a flight to Seattle, the Leafs' Dakota Joshua came to the helpless realization many travelers come to: His luggage was not coming.
If the L.A. Kings fall from the NHL's mushy middle, is a housecleaning ahead?
If the Kings can't find sustained success or chart a new path, perhaps it's time for big changes.
Will Russia return to the 2027 World Juniors? Here's what it could look like
The first event the CAS has ordered the IIHF to allow Russia to participate in is the upcoming World Juniors in Alberta.
Unmasking the NHL's Halloween obsession, featuring the elaborate Golden Knights
The annual Halloween party is a marquee event on the social calendar for most NHL teams.
Senators' Hayden Hodgson suspended 2 games for hit on Kings' Brandt Clarke
The incident occurred in the second period of Thursday night's game, a 6-5 overtime win for the Kings. Hodgson was ejected from the game.
Lightning star Nikita Kucherov reportedly requests trade from Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay Lightning right wing Nikita Kucherov has reportedly requested a trade, becoming the latest high-profile NHL player to ask to leave his longtime home.
Nikita Kucherov informs Lightning he won't re-sign, asks for trade: Sources
The two-time Hart Trophy winner and three-time scoring champion is set to hit unrestricted free agency after this season.
Russia's return to international hockey means the NHL has a World Cup decision to make
The CAS ruled on Friday that the IIHF must allow Russia back into its international hockey events immediately.
How is this NHL season different than last? Analyzing trends after a month of hockey
The 2026-27 season has crossed the 200-game mark, meaning we're already 16 percent of the way through. So, what's changed?.
NHL Power Rankings: A new No. 1 — and a Treehouse of Horrors for every team
The Hurricanes, Wild and Canadiens are on the rise in our very special Treehouse of Horror Power Rankings.
30th October 2026
Russia allowed to return to international hockey after CAS ruling
The International Ice Hockey Federation had banned Russia from its competitions following its invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
November sports watch guide: College basketball returns, NWSL Championship, 'Madden' movie
In surveying the sports month ahead, we did our best to cover the major events and promote some sleepers.
The NHL's next frontier in scoring-chance generation: Passing out of the slot
As counterintuitive as it may seem for hockey players and coaches, feeding the puck in the slot can be more dangerous than shooting.
NHL rumblings: Breaking down Larkin's 10-team list, plus latest on Robertson and Edvinsson
Which teams on Dylan Larkin's trade list are realistic and which are most interested? Here's what I'm hearing.
PWHL star and Olympic gold medalist Kendall Coyne Schofield announces pregnancy
Coyne Schofield signed a two-year contract extension in August to remain with the Minnesota Frost through 2027-28.
Wild are pushing hard for Dylan Larkin. Can they finally land him after his breakup with Red Wings?
Larkin informed the Wings on Thursday that he is done playing for them, and they responded by suspending him without pay.
Red Wings suspend Dylan Larkin without pay as he waits for trade
Larkin, 30, requested a trade from the Red Wings in May but remains with the team nearly a month into the season.
PWHL increases minimum salary and roster size, eliminates 'reserve player' designation
The agreement between the league and players association brings incremental raises in each of the next five seasons.
Red Wings' Dylan Larkin has 'had enough,' won't play as trade stalemate continues
The Dylan Larkin situation is reaching another boiling point in Detroit.
U.S., Canada women could wear generic jerseys at hockey worlds amid IIHF legal dispute
USA Hockey and Hockey Canada are appealing a decision in Swiss court that would give the IIHF commercial rights to their jerseys.
Ducks must re-learn how to win after squandering 3-goal lead against Canucks
After a three-goal lead with less than eight minutes left became an overtime loss, the Ducks are left to do some early soul searching.
29th October 2026
This Week in Sports Trivia: Oct. 29, 2026
How closely were you following the sports news this week? Find out and test your knowledge by taking The Athletic's weekly quiz.
The real stakes of the Vancouver Canucks' rebuild: Becoming a destination NHL franchise again
There are a few areas the Canucks need to address if they're going to emerge as a relevant, competitive organization.
NHL’s scariest starts: Players starting the 2026-27 season frighteningly slow
Let’s get in the Halloween spirit by building our annual team made up of players off to disappointing starts.
What we learned about the NHL in October: Devils are complete, Blackhawks can't defend
Newfound finishing and a new reliable goalie make the Devils formidable, David Pastrnak is scoring again and more.
16 NHL stats: How the Boston Bruins got their groove back
Are the Bruins back to being a legitimate threat? The early numbers suggest their hot start might be for real.
2027 NHL Draft ranking: Landon DuPont tops Wheeler's preliminary top 64 prospects
The 2027 class is headlined by Canadian star Landon DuPont and the best collection of Russian prospects in years.
