NHL Data
Setup
Before first use, check if the CLI is available:
bash
which sports-skills || pip install sports-skills
If
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.,
→ 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 .
- Never hardcode a season. Always derive it from the system date.
Commands
get_scoreboard
Get live/recent NHL scores.
- (str, optional): Date in YYYY-MM-DD format. Defaults to today.
Returns
with game info, scores, status, and competitors.
get_standings
Get NHL standings by conference and division.
- (int, optional): Season year
Returns
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
with id, name, abbreviation, logo, and location.
get_team_roster
Get full roster for a team.
- (str, required): ESPN team ID (e.g., "21" for Maple Leafs)
Returns
with name, position, jersey number, height, weight, experience, birthplace, and shoots/catches.
get_team_schedule
Get schedule for a specific team.
- (str, required): ESPN team ID
- (int, optional): Season year
Returns
with opponent, date, score (if played), and venue.
get_game_summary
Get detailed box score and scoring plays.
- (str, required): ESPN event ID
Returns
,
,
(stats per player),
, and
.
get_leaders
Get NHL statistical leaders (goals, assists, points, etc.).
- (int, optional): Season year
Returns
with leader rankings per stat category.
get_news
Get NHL news articles.
- (str, optional): Filter by team
Returns
with headline, description, published date, and link.
get_play_by_play
Get full play-by-play data for a game.
- (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.
- (str, optional): Date in YYYY-MM-DD format
- (int, optional): Season year (used only if no date provided)
Returns
for the specified date.
get_injuries
Get current NHL injury reports across all teams. No parameters.
Returns
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).
- (int, optional): Max transactions to return. Defaults to 50.
Returns
with date, team, and description.
get_futures
Get NHL futures/odds markets (Stanley Cup winner, Hart Trophy, etc.).
- (int, optional): Max entries per market. Defaults to 25.
- (int, optional): Season year. Defaults to current.
Returns
with market name and entries (team/player name + odds value).
get_team_stats
Get full team statistical profile for a season.
- (str, required): ESPN team ID
- (int, optional): Season year. Defaults to current.
- (int, optional): 2=regular (default), 3=postseason.
Returns
with detailed stats including value, rank, and per-game averages.
get_player_stats
Get full player statistical profile for a season.
- (str, required): ESPN athlete ID
- (int, optional): Season year. Defaults to current.
- (int, optional): 2=regular (default), 3=postseason.
Returns
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
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"
- Find the event_id from
get_scoreboard --date=YYYY-MM-DD
- Call
get_game_summary --event_id=<id>
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:
- Catch silently and try alternatives
- If team name given instead of ID, use to find the ID first
- Only report failure with a clean message after exhausting alternatives
Troubleshooting
- command not found: Run
pip install sports-skills
- Team not found: Use 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: returns 0 events — expected. Use or instead.