Ryan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN. And now Phil Kessel stands alone. Kessel became the NHL’s new “Iron Man” on Tuesday after taking the ice in the Vegas Golden Knights’ game against the San Jose Sharks at SAP Center in San Jose, California. The 35-year-old winger has now appeared in 990 consecutive games, a streak that started […]

Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer. Phil Kessel is set to play in his 990th consecutive game Tuesday night (10:30 p.m. ET, ESPN), meaning the Vegas Golden Knights winger will pass retired defenseman Keith Yandle to become the NHL’s all-time iron man. It’s the latest, and perhaps greatest, moment in a career that’s been equal parts eclectic and electric, […]

The first week of the 2022-23 NHL season is in the books, and it definitely was captivating: There are 11 undefeated teams — including the Philadelphia Flyers and Detroit Red Wings, just as everyone predicted. The new-look Ottawa Senators struggled out of the gate going 0-2, as did Johnny Gaudreau and the Columbus Blue Jackets (0-3). The Pittsburgh Penguins have […]

Emily Kaplan is ESPN’s national NHL reporter. It was opening night for the Philadelphia Flyers, and pessimism swirled ahead of the Thursday night game against the New Jersey Devils. Forward Joel Farabee checked Twitter before arriving to the rink. “Everyone is already saying our season is done,” Farabee said. “No one believes in us but ourselves.” A clip of John […]

Emily Kaplan is ESPN’s national NHL reporter. The NHL said it found no evidence to substantiate sexual misconduct allegations against Tampa Bay Lightning defenseman Ian Cole and considers the matter closed. Cole was immediately reinstated by the Lightning, who had suspended him with pay. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to respond to and refute the anonymous allegations made against me, […]

Greg Wyshynski is ESPN’s senior NHL writer. JAKE OETTINGER FELT INVINCIBLE. The Dallas Stars were in a Game 7 overtime against the Calgary Flames in the first round of last season’s playoffs. They were there because of Oettinger, the second-year goaltender who had stopped 208 of the 218 shots he had faced in the previous six games. The finale against […]

Ryan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN. DENVER — Bowen Byram and Alex Newhook were toddlers. Cale Makar was 3. Nathan MacKinnon was 6. That is how long it has been since the Colorado Avalanche last hung a Stanley Cup banner in Denver. Wednesday brought an end to that drought, with the team raising the third championship banner […]

Ryan S. Clark is an NHL reporter for ESPN. DENVER — So, now that Nathan MacKinnon has won a Stanley Cup, will he finally chill out? The question takes five seconds to ask, but it leads the Colorado Avalanche alternate captain to share more about himself over a 20-minute interview than he has at any point in his nine-year NHL […]

The Tampa Bay Lightning suspended defenseman Ian Cole pending an investigation into allegations made on social media that he sexually abused a woman when she was a minor. The Lightning said Sunday night they were fully cooperating with the NHL on an investigation and were making the decision to suspend Cole until they gather more details. It’s the latest off-ice […]

Darryl Sutter has signed a multiyear extension to remain head coach of the Calgary Flames, the team announced Saturday. Sutter won his first career Jack Adams Award last year in his 20th season as a coach. In his second stint as coach of the Flames, Sutter led the team to a Pacific Division championship with the sixth-most points in the […]