# Nhl Data > NHL data via ESPN public endpoints — scores, standings, rosters, schedules, game summaries, play-by-play, injuries, transactions, futures, team/player stats, leaders, and news. Zero config, no API keys. Use when: user asks about NHL scores, standings, team rosters, schedules, game stats, box scores, play-by-play, injuries, transactions, betting futures, team/player statistics, or NHL news. Don't use when: user asks about other hockey leagues (AHL, KHL, college hockey). For other sports use: nfl-data (NFL), nba-data (NBA), wnba-data (WNBA), mlb-data (MLB), football-data (soccer), tennis-data (tennis), golf-data (golf), cfb-data (college football), cbb-data (college basketball), fastf1 (F1). For betting odds use polymarket or kalshi. For news use sports-news. - Skill: `tools-only/nhl-data` (Agent Skill, multi-file: 3 files) - Install (CLI): `npx skillmds add tools-only/nhl-data` - Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/tools-only/nhl-data/raw - Safety review: pending - Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex - Category: Integrations & APIs - License: MIT - Author: tools-only (https://skillmd.com/u/tools-only) - Updated: 2026-09-09 - Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/tools-only/nhl-data --- # NHL Data ## Setup Before first use, check if the CLI is available: ```bash which sports-skills || pip install sports-skills ``` If `pip install` fails with a Python version error, the package requires Python 3.10+. Find a compatible Python: ```bash python3 --version # check version # If < 3.10, try: python3.12 -m pip install sports-skills # On macOS with Homebrew: /opt/homebrew/bin/python3.12 -m pip install sports-skills ``` No API keys required. ## Quick Start Prefer the CLI — it avoids Python import path issues: ```bash sports-skills nhl get_scoreboard sports-skills nhl get_standings --season=2025 sports-skills nhl get_teams ``` ## Choosing the Season Derive the current year from the system prompt's date (e.g., `currentDate: 2026-02-18` → current year is 2026). - **If the user specifies a season**, use it as-is. - **If the user says "current", "this season", or doesn't specify**: The NHL season runs October–June. If the current month is October–December, the active season year matches the current year. If January–June, the active season started the previous calendar year (use that year as the season). - **Example:** Current date is February 2026 → active season started October 2025 → use season `2025`. - **Never hardcode a season.** Always derive it from the system date. ## Commands ### get_scoreboard Get live/recent NHL scores. - `date` (str, optional): Date in YYYY-MM-DD format. Defaults to today. Returns `events[]` with game info, scores, status, and competitors. ### get_standings Get NHL standings by conference and division. - `season` (int, optional): Season year Returns `groups[]` with Eastern/Western conferences and division standings including W-L-OTL, points, regulation wins, goals for/against, and streak. ### get_teams Get all NHL teams. No parameters. Returns `teams[]` with id, name, abbreviation, logo, and location. ### get_team_roster Get full roster for a team. - `team_id` (str, required): ESPN team ID (e.g., "21" for Maple Leafs) Returns `athletes[]` with name, position, jersey number, height, weight, experience, birthplace, and shoots/catches. ### get_team_schedule Get schedule for a specific team. - `team_id` (str, required): ESPN team ID - `season` (int, optional): Season year Returns `events[]` with opponent, date, score (if played), and venue. ### get_game_summary Get detailed box score and scoring plays. - `event_id` (str, required): ESPN event ID Returns `game_info`, `competitors`, `boxscore` (stats per player), `scoring_plays`, and `leaders`. ### get_leaders Get NHL statistical leaders (goals, assists, points, etc.). - `season` (int, optional): Season year Returns `categories[]` with leader rankings per stat category. ### get_news Get NHL news articles. - `team_id` (str, optional): Filter by team Returns `articles[]` with headline, description, published date, and link. ### get_play_by_play Get full play-by-play data for a game. - `event_id` (str, required): ESPN event ID Returns play-by-play detail including period, clock, team, play type, and scoring plays. ### get_schedule Get NHL schedule for a specific date or season. - `date` (str, optional): Date in YYYY-MM-DD format - `season` (int, optional): Season year (used only if no date provided) Returns `events[]` for the specified date. ### get_injuries Get current NHL injury reports across all teams. No parameters. Returns `teams[]` with per-team injury lists including player name, position, status (Out/Day-To-Day/IR), injury type, and detail. ### get_transactions Get recent NHL transactions (trades, signings, waivers). - `limit` (int, optional): Max transactions to return. Defaults to 50. Returns `transactions[]` with date, team, and description. ### get_futures Get NHL futures/odds markets (Stanley Cup winner, Hart Trophy, etc.). - `limit` (int, optional): Max entries per market. Defaults to 25. - `season_year` (int, optional): Season year. Defaults to current. Returns `futures[]` with market name and entries (team/player name + odds value). ### get_team_stats Get full team statistical profile for a season. - `team_id` (str, required): ESPN team ID - `season_year` (int, optional): Season year. Defaults to current. - `season_type` (int, optional): 2=regular (default), 3=postseason. Returns `categories[]` with detailed stats including value, rank, and per-game averages. ### get_player_stats Get full player statistical profile for a season. - `player_id` (str, required): ESPN athlete ID - `season_year` (int, optional): Season year. Defaults to current. - `season_type` (int, optional): 2=regular (default), 3=postseason. Returns `categories[]` with detailed stats including value, rank, and per-game averages. ## Team IDs (Common) | Team | ID | Team | ID | |------|-----|------|-----| | Anaheim Ducks | 25 | Nashville Predators | 27 | | Boston Bruins | 1 | New Jersey Devils | 11 | | Buffalo Sabres | 2 | New York Islanders | 12 | | Calgary Flames | 3 | New York Rangers | 13 | | Carolina Hurricanes | 7 | Ottawa Senators | 14 | | Chicago Blackhawks | 4 | Philadelphia Flyers | 15 | | Colorado Avalanche | 17 | Pittsburgh Penguins | 16 | | Columbus Blue Jackets | 29 | San Jose Sharks | 18 | | Dallas Stars | 9 | Seattle Kraken | 124292 | | Detroit Red Wings | 5 | St. Louis Blues | 19 | | Edmonton Oilers | 6 | Tampa Bay Lightning | 20 | | Florida Panthers | 26 | Toronto Maple Leafs | 21 | | Los Angeles Kings | 8 | Utah Mammoth | 129764 | | Minnesota Wild | 30 | Vancouver Canucks | 22 | | Montreal Canadiens | 10 | Vegas Golden Knights | 37 | | | | Washington Capitals | 23 | | | | Winnipeg Jets | 28 | **Tip:** Use `get_teams` to get the full, accurate list of team IDs. ## Examples **User: "What are today's NHL scores?"** ```bash sports-skills nhl get_scoreboard ``` **User: "Show me the Eastern Conference standings"** ```bash sports-skills nhl get_standings --season=2025 ``` Then filter results for Eastern Conference. **User: "Who's on the Maple Leafs roster?"** ```bash sports-skills nhl get_team_roster --team_id=21 ``` **User: "Show me the full box score for last night's Bruins game"** 1. Find the event_id from `get_scoreboard --date=YYYY-MM-DD` 2. Call `get_game_summary --event_id=` for full box score **User: "Who's injured on the Maple Leafs?"** ```bash sports-skills nhl get_injuries ``` Then filter results for Toronto Maple Leafs (team_id=21). **User: "What are the Stanley Cup odds?"** ```bash sports-skills nhl get_futures --limit=10 ``` **User: "Show me Connor McDavid's stats"** ```bash sports-skills nhl get_player_stats --player_id=3895074 ``` ## Error Handling When a command fails, **do not surface raw errors to the user**. Instead: 1. Catch silently and try alternatives 2. If team name given instead of ID, use `get_teams` to find the ID first 3. Only report failure with a clean message after exhausting alternatives ## Troubleshooting - **`sports-skills` command not found**: Run `pip install sports-skills` - **Team not found**: Use `get_teams` to list all teams and find the correct ID - **No data for future games**: ESPN only returns data for completed or in-progress games - **Offseason**: `get_scoreboard` returns 0 events — expected. Use `get_standings` or `get_news` instead.