Sean Shapiro

“He's ready for the next step” Why Alberts Šmits will have scouts watching at the Olympics After an impressive World Juniors, Alberts Šmits will have all eyes on him at the Olympics in Milan.

Alberts Šmits is the only draft-eligible player at the 2026 Olympics. He's a fascinating prospect with NHL physical tools and decision making.

My latest on the Latvian over at @eliteprospects

www.eliteprospects.com/news/2026-nh...

We should talk about how much influence CAA has in the hockey world The Predators are using the firm to find a GM, the agency's top news breaker also broke a hockey trade that featured a player who is represented by CAA

The Nashville Predators hired CAA to help find their GM. The NHLPA is looking into that.

There was a big NHL trade today including a CAA client and another big CAA client, Adam Schefter, broke the deal. That's at least worth discussing.

www.shapshotshockey.com/p/we-should-...

I'm just fucking sick of having to text friends in this industry about how they'll figure it out and land on their feet. I don't have a good answer, just so fucking frustrating about how many good journalists, and even better people, get shafted.

Kid makes hockey fun

Just watched Finnegan Sears score a lacrosse-style goal live vs Switzerland and my reaction was just “oh that’s cool.” I’ve become a jaded old man.

Minor league deal, stars have acquired Jeremie Poirier in a trade with Calgary for Gavin White

Jake Oettinger Is Ready For His Olympic Moment The 27-year-old goalie is the Stars' only representative on Team USA. It's the latest milestone in a hockey journey that's surprised even those closest to him.

On Jake Oettinger, the new dad and Olympian, & the support group heading to Italy with him

"Maybe when he’s big enough someday in high school or college, he can wear his dad’s old Olympic jersey or sweatshirt and look back at the pictures and be proud.”

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2026/...

It'll be Stars-Golden Knights in the "outdoor" game at Jerryworld.

Simon Edvinsson will be out until the Olympic break

How having fun helped Brady Knowling become top goalie prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft Get to know one of the top goalie prospects eligible for 2026 in NTDP netminder Brady Knowling.

Brady Knowling ended up in net because he complained about quality of goaltending in house hockey.

"I wasn’t allowed to do that unless I was willing to try it myself."

Now he's one of the top goalie prospects for the 2026 Draft.

www.eliteprospects.com/news/2026-nh...

Random note from this game: I aspire for my hair to be as good as Glen Gulutzan's and Rick Bowness' when I am at their respective ages.

try again... they should be now

shoot me a DM/chat (whatever they call it on this platform) and we can figure it out for after warmups are over

Let’s connect and I’ll sign it!

Rick Bowness and his boat, Jim Nill is always talking, and burying my beef with Charlie Coyle A quick dispatch from Columbus -- maybe you'll get that word play, either way, enjoy!

Rick Bowness from the boat to the bench. Jim Nill on the Stars still being status quo and how he's always talking to other GMs. And I finally buried my "beef" with Charlie Coyle.

My latest Shap Shots

www.shapshotshockey.com/p/rick-bowne...

91s and white Nikes for warmups

Rink Stories: "Wow," on the importance of No. 91 in the rafters, JVR's connection to his son and Rick Bowness back on the bench Let's share some fun stories before the Red Wings and Hurricanes play.

Wasn't really sure what I was going to write about No. 91 going to the rafters, then I saw Sergei Fedorov simply whisper "wow" as he watched the banner rise.

On a story that's not mine to tell, but one that we can all connect with.

My latest Shap Shots

www.shapshotshockey.com/p/rink-stori...

"Leaving Detroit was a huge mistake," - Sergei Federov during his speech.

Federov arrives to his Jersey retirement ceremony in his iconic or corvette

How good is the Olympic ice? Let's ask someone who played on it this weekend The Olympic ice surface has been a big topic of conversation. Let's include someone who played on it in that conversation.

How good is the Olympic ice? Let's ask someone who played on it this weekend

Chatted with Florian Wieser about it today and then got some perspective Moritz Seider and Lucas Raymond their Olympics thoughts.

My latest at Shap Shots

www.shapshotshockey.com/p/how-good-i...

It's Time For the Stars To Make Their Trade Deadline Move - D Magazine Dallas is riding a six-game losing streak in the toughest division in hockey. Its general manager needs to act accordingly.

Living in the Central Division this season means the Stars are at the high-rollers table. We already know who they’ll likely play in the playoffs, too. With that reality it’s time for them to be aggressive in the trade market

My latest for @DMagazine

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2026/...

Stars have signed Justin Hryckowian to a two year extension $950K AAV.

It's Time For the Stars To Make Their Trade Deadline Move - D Magazine Dallas is riding a six-game losing streak in the toughest division in hockey. Its general manager needs to act accordingly.

The NHL's three best teams play in the same division. The Stars are one of them.

Since Dallas can't run from that reality, they need to act accordingly. Here's @seanshapiro.bsky.social on why the Stars need to make another big deadline swing as soon as possible

www.dmagazine.com/sports/2026/...

Year 3 of PWHL neutral site games in Detroit. Always a good time.

Jason Robertson never really had a chance to make Team USA It was made official on Friday, but I think we need to talk about the false hope that existed.

Jason Robertson never really had a chance to make Team USA

www.shapshotshockey.com/p/jason-robe...

Brothers Emil and Oscar Hemming have reclaimed their games in whirlwind seasons It's been an interesting season so far for Dallas Stars prospect Emil Hemming and brother Oscar, a top prospect for the 2026 NHL Draft. Sean Shapiro has the story from Minnesota.

Stars prospect Emil Hemming's season has seen him from AHL to OHL, now an impressive WJC. His bother Oscar is finally playing after a dispute of where he could play kept him off the ice.

On the Hemming brothers in my latest for @eliteprospects

www.eliteprospects.com/news/world-j...

Obviously @russohockey.bsky.social already has had the big well-reported story on the likely USA roster from earlier this month. But the feeling from talking to some Stars people is that Jason Robertson is still on the outside of the USA Olympic roster.

Alberts Šmits arrives at World Juniors and is already turning from a curiosity to commodity The Latvian defender made his World Junior debut and is one of the most fascinating players for the 2026 NHL Draft.

Alberts Šmits is a behemoth, a bona fide top defensive prospect. He's also lived alone since he was 13, takes a no-nonsense approach to his game and the hockey world is taking notice as he's gone from curiosity to commodity

My latest for @eliteprospects.com

www.eliteprospects.com/news/wjc-20/...

Michigan State's Ryker Lee ready to bring unconventional creativity to 2026 World Juniors Ryker Lee will take his dazzling talents from Michigan State to the 2026 World Junior Championship. Sean Shapiro has the story.

Greetings from Minnesota and Day 1 of World Juniors.

I’ll be here for first half of tournament for @eliteprospects Before the games begin, here’s a story on @MSU_Hockey’s Ryker Lee who realizes hockey is a game and games are suppose to be fun

www.eliteprospects.com/news/world-j...