Eric Stephens
@iceman-cometh.bsky.social
Ignore the hacked and now fake @icemancometh tweets on X. Doing the writing thing for The Athletic. SoCal bred. Eyes on the California teams and beyond. Still love the grits. Still kinda goofy. https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/
Two playoff berths are very much up for grabs in the Western Conference, the third spot in the Pacific and second wild card. Utah is hot and continues to hold down WC1. Edmonton remains ahead for home ice. Teams in play: Anaheim (57), San Jose (55), Los Angeles (55), Seattle (53), Nashville (52).
January 25, 2026 at 8:22 PM
Two playoff berths are very much up for grabs in the Western Conference, the third spot in the Pacific and second wild card. Utah is hot and continues to hold down WC1. Edmonton remains ahead for home ice. Teams in play: Anaheim (57), San Jose (55), Los Angeles (55), Seattle (53), Nashville (52).
Trevor Moore returns to score a goal in regulation and gets the decisive shootout winner for Kings in 5-4 victory over Blues. Jordan Kyrou's late goal denies a regulation win, which could prove critial in tiebreakers as L.A. has only 13. Taylor Ward, Brian Dumoulin, Alex Laferriere also have goals.
January 25, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Trevor Moore returns to score a goal in regulation and gets the decisive shootout winner for Kings in 5-4 victory over Blues. Jordan Kyrou's late goal denies a regulation win, which could prove critial in tiebreakers as L.A. has only 13. Taylor Ward, Brian Dumoulin, Alex Laferriere also have goals.
Sharks win, 3-1, over Rangers and hold the WC2 spot in the West before venturing on another lengthy road trip. Every goal came in the first period. Macklin Celebrini scored twice and Pavol Regenda continues to spark. Alex Nedeljkovic is the one getting it done in net with a sharp 28-save night.
January 24, 2026 at 6:04 AM
Sharks win, 3-1, over Rangers and hold the WC2 spot in the West before venturing on another lengthy road trip. Every goal came in the first period. Macklin Celebrini scored twice and Pavol Regenda continues to spark. Alex Nedeljkovic is the one getting it done in net with a sharp 28-save night.
Ducks win sixth straight, taking a 4-2 road win over Kraken. Lukáš Dostál stays hot with 20-save effort and goals from Cutter Gauthier, Ryan Poehling (SH), Chris Kreider and Pavel Mintyukov (EN). Mintyukov and Gauthier also had assists. Team doing it without Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, Troy Terry.
January 24, 2026 at 5:49 AM
Ducks win sixth straight, taking a 4-2 road win over Kraken. Lukáš Dostál stays hot with 20-save effort and goals from Cutter Gauthier, Ryan Poehling (SH), Chris Kreider and Pavel Mintyukov (EN). Mintyukov and Gauthier also had assists. Team doing it without Leo Carlsson, Mason McTavish, Troy Terry.
Real good stuff from Jesse here. Worth watching.
Goalie Breakdown: Brandon Bussi
I’m really excited about these types of videos. If you like it, subscribe to The Athletic’s Hockey YouTube channel, where there will be many more to come 🔗⤵️
youtu.be/CbJmHzhA414
I’m really excited about these types of videos. If you like it, subscribe to The Athletic’s Hockey YouTube channel, where there will be many more to come 🔗⤵️
youtu.be/CbJmHzhA414
January 24, 2026 at 3:31 AM
Real good stuff from Jesse here. Worth watching.
So much for going without a point in consecutive games. Macklin Celebrini snaps out of a "drought" with two goals in the first period and is now on hat trick watch.
January 24, 2026 at 3:31 AM
So much for going without a point in consecutive games. Macklin Celebrini snaps out of a "drought" with two goals in the first period and is now on hat trick watch.
Sources: New York Islanders intend to move AHL team north of the border to Hamilton.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
Islanders plan to relocate AHL affiliate from Bridgeport to Hamilton: Sources
League sources say a deal has yet to be finalized, and hurdles must be cleared before the Bridgeport Islanders can officially make the move.
www.nytimes.com
January 24, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Sources: New York Islanders intend to move AHL team north of the border to Hamilton.
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/699...
Reposted by Eric Stephens
Toronto! I’ll be in your city promoting my book Black Aces next month!
I’ll be at A Different Booklist with @donnovanbennett.bsky.social on Feb. 4
&
Another Story with @shireenahmed.bsky.social on Feb. 27!
RSVP (Feb. 4): shorturl.at/cqFXX
RSVP (Feb. 27): www.eventbrite.ca/e/launch-of-...
I’ll be at A Different Booklist with @donnovanbennett.bsky.social on Feb. 4
&
Another Story with @shireenahmed.bsky.social on Feb. 27!
RSVP (Feb. 4): shorturl.at/cqFXX
RSVP (Feb. 27): www.eventbrite.ca/e/launch-of-...
January 23, 2026 at 6:39 PM
Toronto! I’ll be in your city promoting my book Black Aces next month!
I’ll be at A Different Booklist with @donnovanbennett.bsky.social on Feb. 4
&
Another Story with @shireenahmed.bsky.social on Feb. 27!
RSVP (Feb. 4): shorturl.at/cqFXX
RSVP (Feb. 27): www.eventbrite.ca/e/launch-of-...
I’ll be at A Different Booklist with @donnovanbennett.bsky.social on Feb. 4
&
Another Story with @shireenahmed.bsky.social on Feb. 27!
RSVP (Feb. 4): shorturl.at/cqFXX
RSVP (Feb. 27): www.eventbrite.ca/e/launch-of-...
Managed to get enough words out of Jonathan Quick to almost last two full minutes. Can't do any better today. Believe in miracles, kids.
January 23, 2026 at 12:41 AM
Managed to get enough words out of Jonathan Quick to almost last two full minutes. Can't do any better today. Believe in miracles, kids.
Kings coach Jim Hiller said Trevor Moore and Anze Kopitar will join the club on its six-game road trip. Isn't sure yet if and when they will play but a promising sign that both could become available during.
January 22, 2026 at 8:36 PM
Kings coach Jim Hiller said Trevor Moore and Anze Kopitar will join the club on its six-game road trip. Isn't sure yet if and when they will play but a promising sign that both could become available during.
My error on prior post on Darcy Kuemper. He did practice and pronounced himself good to go on Kings road trip. Said he had a pinched nerve in neck and bit of dead arm but was feeling much better Wednesday.
January 22, 2026 at 8:17 PM
My error on prior post on Darcy Kuemper. He did practice and pronounced himself good to go on Kings road trip. Said he had a pinched nerve in neck and bit of dead arm but was feeling much better Wednesday.
Kings practice lines and pairings:
Perry-Laferriere-Kempe
Foegele-Byfield-Armia
Fiala-Turcotte-Kuzmenko
Malott-Helenius-Moore (Ward subs in)
Anderson-Doughty
Edmondson-Clarke
Dumoulin-Ceci (Moverare subs in)
Perry-Laferriere-Kempe
Foegele-Byfield-Armia
Fiala-Turcotte-Kuzmenko
Malott-Helenius-Moore (Ward subs in)
Anderson-Doughty
Edmondson-Clarke
Dumoulin-Ceci (Moverare subs in)
January 22, 2026 at 7:35 PM
Kings practice lines and pairings:
Perry-Laferriere-Kempe
Foegele-Byfield-Armia
Fiala-Turcotte-Kuzmenko
Malott-Helenius-Moore (Ward subs in)
Anderson-Doughty
Edmondson-Clarke
Dumoulin-Ceci (Moverare subs in)
Perry-Laferriere-Kempe
Foegele-Byfield-Armia
Fiala-Turcotte-Kuzmenko
Malott-Helenius-Moore (Ward subs in)
Anderson-Doughty
Edmondson-Clarke
Dumoulin-Ceci (Moverare subs in)
Reposted by Eric Stephens
Why are so many former player agents having success as GMs and execs in the NHL? An interesting look at a trend in front offices lately
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
What’s driving the NHL’s agent-to-executive pipeline, and why it works
Agents are crossing over to hockey's executive suites and succeeding, including on both sides of the last two Stanley Cup finals.
www.nytimes.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:45 PM
Why are so many former player agents having success as GMs and execs in the NHL? An interesting look at a trend in front offices lately
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/697...
Trevor Moore is on the ice for the Kings' full practice. Drew Doughty, who didn't play Tuesday because of illness, is out there. Anže Kopitar is not, watching from behind the glass. Don't believe Darcy Kuemper is on the ice either.
January 22, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Trevor Moore is on the ice for the Kings' full practice. Drew Doughty, who didn't play Tuesday because of illness, is out there. Anže Kopitar is not, watching from behind the glass. Don't believe Darcy Kuemper is on the ice either.
Think more than a few heading to Milan took note of someone once labeled a "no-name" goalie after a 55-save night against the Maple Leafs who is game-stealing sharp again and will have the net for Czechia.
January 22, 2026 at 5:06 AM
Think more than a few heading to Milan took note of someone once labeled a "no-name" goalie after a 55-save night against the Maple Leafs who is game-stealing sharp again and will have the net for Czechia.
Stunning 2-1 victory by the Ducks over the NHL-best Avalanche behind a spectacular performance by Lukáš Dostál, who stopped 39 shots in regulation and overtime before adding two shootout saves. Jeffrey Viel's goal nearly held up until Artturi Lehkonen spoiled the shutout with 3:39 left.
January 22, 2026 at 4:51 AM
Stunning 2-1 victory by the Ducks over the NHL-best Avalanche behind a spectacular performance by Lukáš Dostál, who stopped 39 shots in regulation and overtime before adding two shootout saves. Jeffrey Viel's goal nearly held up until Artturi Lehkonen spoiled the shutout with 3:39 left.
I don't mean the finest for the Ducks. The finest of any goalie in the NHL this season.
Win or lose in the shootout, Lukas Dostal has arguably the finest goaltending performance of the season tonight for the Ducks in Denver. Has absolutely put on a show against the otherworldly Avalanche.
January 22, 2026 at 4:47 AM
I don't mean the finest for the Ducks. The finest of any goalie in the NHL this season.
Win or lose in the shootout, Lukas Dostal has arguably the finest goaltending performance of the season tonight for the Ducks in Denver. Has absolutely put on a show against the otherworldly Avalanche.
January 22, 2026 at 4:44 AM
Win or lose in the shootout, Lukas Dostal has arguably the finest goaltending performance of the season tonight for the Ducks in Denver. Has absolutely put on a show against the otherworldly Avalanche.
Peter Baugh on what might have been Jonathan Quick's final game in Los Angeles. #GoKingsGo #NYR
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
January 22, 2026 at 12:22 AM
Peter Baugh on what might have been Jonathan Quick's final game in Los Angeles. #GoKingsGo #NYR
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Brandt Clarke started the Kings' win over the Rangers with a bang. The young defenseman didn't finish it, though. When will they trust the 22-year-old standout for every situation? #GoKingsGo
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
'Not just quite yet': When will the Kings fully trust Brandt Clarke?
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Brandt Clarke started the Kings' win over the Rangers with a bang. The young defenseman didn't finish it, though. When will they trust the 22-year-old standout for every situation? #GoKingsGo
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Which NHL players might miss the Olympics due to injury?
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 9:18 PM
Jackson LaCombe's ascent in the ranks of United States hockey continues with selection to Olympic team in place of the injured Seth Jones.
#FlyTogether
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
#FlyTogether
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Jackson LaCombe named to Team USA for Olympics, replaces injured Seth Jones
www.nytimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 6:10 PM
Jackson LaCombe's ascent in the ranks of United States hockey continues with selection to Olympic team in place of the injured Seth Jones.
#FlyTogether
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
#FlyTogether
www.nytimes.com/athletic/698...
Team USA named Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe to its Olympic team as an injury replacement selection for Seth Jones, who'll be unable to participate.
January 21, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Team USA named Ducks defenseman Jackson LaCombe to its Olympic team as an injury replacement selection for Seth Jones, who'll be unable to participate.
Upper-body injury for Darcy Kuemper, per Kings. Won't return.
January 21, 2026 at 4:21 AM
Upper-body injury for Darcy Kuemper, per Kings. Won't return.
Not a good development for Kings as Darcy Kuemper has to leave game with 38.8 left in first period. Rangers forward Jonny Brodzinski backed into Kuemper's head on a play at the L.A. net. Wasn't like when Mikko Rantanen ran into him a few weeks ago but Kuemper missed some time after that.
January 21, 2026 at 3:54 AM
Not a good development for Kings as Darcy Kuemper has to leave game with 38.8 left in first period. Rangers forward Jonny Brodzinski backed into Kuemper's head on a play at the L.A. net. Wasn't like when Mikko Rantanen ran into him a few weeks ago but Kuemper missed some time after that.