Kristen Shilton

Expert picks for the 2025-26 NHL season: Stanley Cup, division winners, awards Can the Panthers three-peat? Who are the favorites for major individual hardware? Here are our predictions.

The puck has dropped on a new #NHL season! Here’s how the @espn.com hockey fam predicts* the year ahead is playing out

*i’m v. bad at this game 🙃

www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/...

Keith Tkachuk on Matthew, Brady, Olympic gold and his Hall of Fame snub "There's nothing better than seeing your kids do what they love to do best," Tkachuk said of his All-Star sons.

Spoke with Keith Tkachuk about being an EA Sports NHL cover model, partying with the Panthers, Brady Tkachuk’s future in Ottawa and his Hockey Hall of Fame snubs. Enjoy!

www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/...

Also - have we seen Happy Gilmore II? Or Naked Gun, the remake? Thoughts? Reviews? Please share!

I feel strangely proud when people ask me for directions.

Like, do I appear trustworthy? You're betting I will send you in the right direction? Love that for us!

Leafs' Tavares 'thrilled' to land 4-year extension Veteran center John Tavares has signed a four-year contract extension to remain with the Toronto Maple Leafs, the team announced Friday.

John Tavares is "thrilled" to be staying home in Toronto as Leafs' ink center to four-year contract extension:

www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/...

NHL draft buzz: How Blackhawks, Isles, Predators could shake up first round The first round is Friday. Our reporters pass along the latest intel they're hearing from around the league.

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Some pre-NHL Draft buzz heading into a couple of really big weeks in the offseason.

www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/...

The Paul Maurice Effect: How the Panthers coach helped create a monster Yes, he inherited a good team. But he made it great, on the verge of a second Stanley Cup.

"He's just a tremendous person"

Paul Maurice was at a career crossroads when the chance to coach in Florida came along. It's been a match made in heaven - with the championship(s?) to prove it:

www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/...

Panthers' Reinhart, Mikkola, Greer back for Gm. 5 The Florida Panthers will get winger Sam Reinhart, defenseman Niko Mikkola and forward A.J. Greer back for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Finals on Wednesday night against the Hurricanes.

The Florida Panthers are loading back up with Sam Reinhart, Niko Mikkola and AJ Greer all set to return for Game 5 of the Eastern Conference Final.

Bad news for the Hurricanes, as they try to stave off elimination again? We'll find out (via @wyshynski.bsky.social):

www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/...

Oilers' Hyman likely out for remainder of playoffs Oilers forward Zach Hyman is unlikely to play again in the Stanley Cup playoffs after suffering an injury in Game 4 of the Western Conference Final.

The Edmonton Oilers are one win away from a second consecutive Stanley Cup Final - but they'll have to get there without Zach Hyman

On Edmonton's significant loss - and what's next for the Oilers' offense:

www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/...

Is Anthony Stolarz the Maple Leafs' goaltending savior? The Maple Leafs' recent playoff goaltending history is rough. Have they found a solution? How far can he take them?

“He’s just a competitor”

How Anthony Stolarz went from understudy to #Leafs leading man - and Toronto needs his best performance of the season in tonight’s Game 6 showdown in Ottawa:

www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/...

How Zach Werenski has leveled up during an emotional season for the Blue Jackets As the team continues to honor the memory of Johnny Gaudreau, the veteran blueliner has been at the forefront.

"I want to be in that conversation, where people look at me as a number one defenseman"

How Zach Werenski is making good on his goals in the most emotional of seasons for Columbus:

www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/...

Grades for all 32 NHL teams at midseason: Knights, Caps, Jets, Wild lead the way From multiple A's to several D's and two F's, here's each team's class president, player in danger of failing, and an overall grade.

We are midway through this NHL season so naturally it's time to judge all 32 clubs!

Here we have the official @espn.com midseason grades - agree, or disagree?

www.espn.com/nhl/insider/...

How the Devils' rise has echoes of a recent Stanley Cup champ: Is this the year? If New Jersey's journey to contention feels a little familiar, there's a good reason why. And will the Devils make another Cup run this spring?

The New Jersey Devils have captured my curiosity.

Are they on the verge of breaking through as bonafide contenders? And might they follow the path of a recent Stanley Cup champion?

My look into the matter:

www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/...

Can the Sabres salvage their season? What must happen to get back in playoff mix As the Bills prepare for another playoff run in the NFL, Buffalo's hockey team appears poised to extend their postseason drought.

Buffalo is up on Washington through 40 minutes - but can the Sabres hold on to win?

That's been an issue already for the Sabres in 2025...to go along with an issues-packed 2024.

Taking a look at it all for Buffalo:

www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/...

Grades for all 32 NHL teams at the quarter mark: Canes, Jets, Wild lead the way From multiple A's to several D's, here's what has gone right (and wrong) for every club, as well as an overall grade for the quarter.

We're past the quarter-mark of this #NHL season already (insane!)

So of course, it's time to dole out grades for all 32 teams! Never an easy task (things can change on a dime, as we know) but here's our take on where the league's clubs are at:

www.espn.com/nhl/insider/...

Are the New York Rangers...broken?

Are we worried yet?

That was something of a breakdown at 4-on-4 to let Schenn score.

Nashville is...playing well? And beating the Winnipeg Jets?

Granted, Connor Hellebuyck isn't in net but. Two goals on five shots is something against a team like the Jets.

But will it hold?!

How does Ovechkin's injury impact the goal-scoring chase -- and the Capitals' playoff hopes? The race to 894 goals is currently on hold as the superstar scorer will miss the next four to six weeks. Here's everything you need to know.

Alex Ovechkin is out for 4-6 weeks with a fractured fibula.

What it all means - for Ovechkin's chase to beat Wayne Gretzky's record, and for the Washington Capitals moving forward without him:

www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/...

Are the Winnipeg Jets really this good? Inside their hot start -- and whether it's sustainable In a season of surprises, none have been more shocking than the Jets' sudden ascent. What's changed? And are they now a Stanley Cup favorite?

The @NHLJets have won 16 of 19 games to shock the NHL.
How are they *this* good? Is it sustainable? Could they win the Cup?

It's a Wysh x Kristen Shilton deep dive into the stats and psychology of the red hot Jets, including thoughts from the players.

www.espn.com.sg/nhl/story/_/...

Are the Winnipeg Jets really this good? Inside their hot start -- and whether it's sustainable In a season of surprises, none have been more shocking than the Jets' sudden ascent. What's changed? And are they now a Stanley Cup favorite?

Winnipeg has soared atop the NHL standings as an offensive heavyweight with championship-calibre goaltending and a first-year head coach pushing all the right buttons.

@wyshynski.bsky.social and I did a deep dive into the Jets early success - from every angle:

www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/...

NHL Future Power Rankings: Predicting best, worst teams for the next three seasons Which NHL teams are set up for long-term success? We stacked all 32 franchises' expectations through 2026-27.

An annual labour of love - our @espnplus.bsky.social Future Power Rankings!

I got to examin how each team landed where they did - and why:

www.espn.com/nhl/insider/...

kyle connor just did that to sergei bobrovksy sheeesssh

and winnipeg was getting v. outplayed there by florida, too #nhljets

Leafs' Matthews at least a week away from play Leafs star Auston Matthews is at least a week away from returning from an upper-body injury.

Auston Matthews "isn't getting worse" but won't be back in the #Leafs lineup this week as he recovers from upper-body injury: "It's a little bit of a holding pattern:"

www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/...

We are not talking nearly enough about Dylan Strome and the season he is having.

Two assists tonight already to give him 26 points in 17 games, putting him top-10 in league scoring. Incredible start.

Leafs' Reaves suspended 5 games for hit on Nurse Toronto Maple Leafs veteran forward Ryan Reaves was suspended on Sunday for five games, the NHL announced, after an illegal check to the head of Edmonton Oilers defenseman Darnell Nurse on Saturday ni...

Didn't think my first post on here would be about a Ryan Reaves suspension, but here we are:

#Leafs enforcer gets five game ban for illegal check to the head of #Oilers Darnell Nurse:

www.espn.com/nhl/story/_/...