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NHL Hockey Player News

Benson (upper-body) has a chance to make his season debut on Wednesday vs. Ottawa.

Benson has not played in Buffalo's first three games due to an upper-body injury but could draw into the lineup in Wednesday's contest against the Ottawa Senators. The 20-year-old Benson scored 28 points (10G / 18A) in 75 games last season.

Zach Benson
Wolf will start vs. Vegas on Tuesday.

The Flames have rolled with Wolf in their crease in all three games this season (1-2-0), and will turn to him again in the front end of a back-to-back on Tuesday against the Vegas Golden Knights. The 24-year-old Wolf was the runner-up for the Calder trophy last season as the NHL's best rookie and will hope to improve in 2025-26 after a mediocre start, posting a 3.99 GAA and .865 SV%. The Flames enter Tuesday's contest as +150 home underdogs against a Golden Knights team that has been outscored 11-10 through three games (1-0-2).

Dustin Wolf
Petrovic will make his season debut on Tuesday vs. Minnesota.

Ilya Lyubushkin will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild, allowing Petrovic to draw into the lineup for his season debut. The 33-year-old Petrovic has played only five regular-season NHL games since 2019-20 but has been a regular with the Stars over the last two postseasons, playing 24 combined games, potentially earning himself a larger role with the team in 2025-26.

Alex Petrovic
Lyubushkin will be a healthy scratch vs. Minnesota on Tuesday.

Lyubushkin will be a healthy scratch for the first time this season, allowing Alex Petrovic to make his season debut on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. The 31-year-old Lyubushkin is averaging 12:56 time-on-ice, recording one point (0G / 1A), a +3 plus/minus, and six penalty minutes through two games.

Ilya Lyubushkin
Oettinger will start vs. Minnesota on Tuesday.

The Stars have had a spread-out schedule to begin the 2025-26 season and will roll with Oettinger between the pipes for a third straight contest on Tuesday against the Minnesota Wild. Oettinger and the Stars are 2-0-0 to start the season, but have faced some adversity defensively. The 26-year-old netminder has a 3.84 GAA and .875 SV% through two games. Dallas enters its home opener on Tuesday as -189 home favorites against a Minnesota team that played last night and defeated the Los Angeles Kings 4-3 in a shootout.

Jake Oettinger
Walman (undisclosed) is hopeful to make his season debut on Thursday on Long Island.

Walman signed a seven-year contract worth $7 million AAV at the beginning of October but has not played a game yet in the 2025-26 season. He is hopeful to debut on Thursday against the New York Islanders. The 29-year-old Walman had a goal, eight points and a +5 plus/minus in 15 games with the Oilers last season after being acquired at the Trade Deadline from San Jose.

Jake Walman
Tkachuk is expected to be out for at least four weeks wth a hand injury.

Tkachuk exited Monday's game against the Nashville Predators after only 13:53 time-on-ice. Ottawa's head coach, Travis Green, said the team and doctors are trying to determine if Tkachuk will need surgery to address the injury. The 26-year-old Tkachuk scored points (0G / 3A) through three games this season.

Brady Tkachuk
Jones has been recalled from Iowa (AHL).

Ben Jones started his 2025-26 campaign in the AHL, scoring two points (0G / 2A) in two games with the Iowa Wild, and has now been recalled by Minnesota. Minnesota has assigned Hunter Haight to Iowa in a corresponding move. The 26-year-old Jones played a career-high 26 games with Minnesota last season and scored zero points.

Ben Jones
Stecher is expected to draw back into Edmonton's lineup in New York on Tuesday.

Alec Regula (undisclosed) will not play on Tuesday against the New York Rangers, allowing Stecher to draw into the lineup for his season debut. The 31-year-old Stecher played 66 games with the Oilers last season and scored seven points (3G / 4A).

Troy Stecher
Roslovic will make his Edmonton debut on Tuesday in New York.

After a lengthy offseason, which included a change in agents, Jack Roslovic signed a one-year, $1.5 million contract last week with the Edmonton Oilers. The 28-year-old is entering his ninth NHL season after tying his career high in goals in 2024-25 with 22 and 39 points across 81 games played with Carolina. Noah Philp will exit the Oilers' lineup to accommodate Roslovic's debut.

Jack Roslovic
Regula (undisclosed) will be out on Tuesday in New York and is hopeful to return by the weekend.

Regula is battling an undisclosed injury and will not play on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. The 25-year-old Regula has zero points and is averaging 15:54 time-on-ice through two games this season. Troy Stecher will draw into the lineup as Regula's replacement.

Alec Regula
Annunen was the first goalie off the ice at Nashville's morning skate.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, a day after a 4-1 win over the Ottawa Senators, Nashville will turn to Annunen for his first start of the season. The 25-year-old Annunen posted a 3.17 GAA and .888 SV% in 23 appearances with the Predators (9-11-1) last season after being acquired in a trade with the Colorado Avalanche. The Predators enter the action on Tuesday as +156 road underdogs against a Toronto Maple Leafs team off to a 1-2-0 start to the 2025-26 season.

Justus Annunen
Batherson (upper-body) will make his season debut on Wednesday vs. Buffalo.

Batherson has been sidelined for Ottawa's first three games this season, recovering from an upper-body injury, but will draw into the lineup for his season debut on Wednesday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 27-year-old right-winger is entering his eighth season in Ottawa after putting up career highs in points (67) last season across 82 games played.

Drake Batherson
Primeau will make his Maple Leafs' debut vs. Nashville on Tuesday.

Anthony Stolarz and the Maple Leafs surrendered the game-deciding goal in the final minute of yesterday's disappointing 3-2 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The Maple Leafs will hope to rebound in Tuesday's contest against the Nashville Predators, turning to Cayden Primeau for his first start as a Maple Leaf. The 26-year-old Primeau was acquired last week to accommodate the absence of Joseph Woll (personal). Primeau appeared in 11 games with the Montreal Canadiens last season (2-3-1), posting a 4.70 GAA and .836 SV%. The Maple Leafs enter Tuesday's contest as -177 home favorites against a Predators team that defeated the Ottawa Senators 4-1 yesterday.

Cayden Primeau
Philp will be a healthy scratch in New York on Tuesday.

Philp has played both Oilers games to start the 2025-26 season but will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the New York Rangers to accommodate the debut of newcomer Jack Roslovic. The 27-year-old Philp has one goal this season.

Noah Philp
Skinner will start in New York on Tuesday.

The Oilers have split starts in their 2025-26 season (1-0-1) and will return to their season-opening starter, Stuart Skinner, on Tuesday against the New York Rangers. The 26-year-old Skinner was serviceable in his only start of the season, saving 19 of 22 shots (.864 SV%), but mishandled a puck in the third period, resulting in a goal en route to an eventual 4-3 shootout loss to the Calgary Flames. The Oilers enter Tuesday's contest as -134 road favorites against a Rangers team that has failed to score in two of their four games this season (2-2-0).

Stuart Skinner
Montembeault will start vs. Seattle on Tuesday.

The Canadiens are off to a 2-1-0 start to the 2025-26 season and will turn to Montembeault between the pipes on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. The 26-year-old Montembeault played a career-high 62 games in 2024-25 (31-24-7), recording a solid 2.82 GAA and .901 SV%. He has a 2.54 GAA and .894 SV% through two games this season and should have a heavy workload again in 2025-26. The Canadiens enter Tuesday's contest as -144 home favorites against a Kraken team off to a 2-0-0 start.

Sam Montembeault
van Riemdsyk is expected to draw back into Washington's lineup vs. Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Declan Chisholm will exit Washington's lineup on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, allowing van Riemsdyk to draw back in after being a healthy scratch on Sunday. The 34-year-old van Riemsdyk is averaging 13:47 time-on-ice and has a +2 plus/minus through two games this season.

Trevor van Riemsdyk
Chisholm is expected to be a healthy scratch vs. Tampa Bay on Tuesday.

Trevor van Riemsdyk was a healthy scratch on Sunday, but he will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning, replacing Declan Chisholm. The 25-year-old Chisholm played 14:29 time-on-ice in Sunday's 1-0 win over the New York Rangers and recorded one assist.

Declan Chisholm

NHL Player News: Your Ultimate Source for Hockey Player News

At Daily Faceoff you can stay in the know regarding all 32 teams and their top players this season. From trades, to injuries, and everything in between, you can find all the latest NHL player news today here. Staying up to date with player news NHL can also give you a competitive edge in your fantasy hockey leagues, as well as your NHL bets.

Check out all the latest NHL updates below and learn more about the hottest updates in the hockey world today.

Who are the top NHL players to watch this season?

There’s never been more talent scattered across the NHL than there is this season. With living legends like Sidney Crosby and Alexander Ovechkin still setting records left-and-right, alongside today’s current superstars such as Connor McDavid and Nathan Mackinnon, the level of talent in the NHL is at an all-time high. Along with these established stars, there’s plenty of budding stars emerging every season such as Connor Bedard, Macklin Celebrini, and Matvei Michkov.

What are the latest updates on NHL player suspensions or disciplinary actions?

Already this season we’ve seen the hammer brought down by the NHL Department of Player Safety. Notable suspensions and fines include Ryan Reaves of the Toronto Maple Leafs who was given a five-game suspension for an illegal check to the head against the Edmonton Oilers, and Los Angeles Kings forward Tanner Jeannot who was dealt a three-game suspension, also for an illegal hit to the head.

In the 2023-24 season, there were a total of 14 suspensions and 17 fines issued throughout the NHL. The longest suspension served was dealt to former-Detroit Red Wing David Perron at six-games after a cross-checking penalty dealt ironically against his current team in the 2024-25 season, the Ottawa Senators. Additionally, Perron was fined $148,437.48 for his actions.

How are NHL player performances impacting fantasy hockey?

NHL player performances make a direct impact on the outcome of any fantasy hockey matchup. Staying up to date with the latest news and performances of your team’s players can be the difference between winning and losing.

Some notable fantasy hockey performers that flew under the radar in most drafts this year include Martin Necas (123 ADP) of the Carolina Hurricanes and Kiefer Sherwood of the Vancouver Canucks. While sleeper picks are always a great get, nothing is worse than a bust taken early on. Some of the most disappointing players of the fantasy hockey season includes Zach Hyman (28 ADP) of the Edmonton Oilers and Jason Robertson of the Dallas Stars (33 ADP).

Whether you’re checking out how your current rostered players are performing or scouting for hidden gems on the waiver wire, the latest player news can help you make your next winning move this season.

Which NHL players are having breakout or comeback seasons?

Every season there are several players who have breakout years, establishing themselves as some of the best up-and-coming stars in the league. In the 2024-25 season early breakout candidates have emerged such as Dylan Strome of the Washington Capitals (on-pace for his first 100-point season) and Ivan Barbashev of the Vegas Golden Knights (on-pace for career-high in points).

Additionally, nothing beats a comeback story, and that can be said about surging veterans such as Anze Koipitar of the Los Angeles Kings, and Matt Duchene of the Dallas Stars.

How often is NHL player news updated?

Our player news is updated regularly throughout the season, bringing you fresh player updates every day throughout the calendar year. Providing our users with a one-stop destination for everything you need to know from across the NHL, our player news is the go-to spot for all the biggest stories in the hockey universe.

What types of information does NHL player news cover?

Our NHL news covers every aspect of the hockey season. From injuries to trades to rumours and even suspensions, we’ve got you covered through it all with credible and fast-updates all-season long.

Are there specific sources for reliable NHL player updates?

All of our sources come from credible and reputable areas. When you’re at Daily Faceoff, you can trust that we are never going to spoon-feed you fake news. You can trust you’re only reading legitimate news that matters.

How does NHL player news impact betting lines?

Player news has a massive impact on the latest hockey betting lines. From daily game lines and prop bets, to Stanley Cup futures bets, every trade, roster change, and injury can shake up the odds set by oddsmakers.

By staying informed on the latest NHL updates, you can become a better NHL bettor as you’ll have a winning edge thanks to our in-depth news coverage.

DFO’s Specialized News Categories

Get the most out of your hockey news with our in-depth coverage of the NHL with our comprehensive player news updates. Below we’ve compiled go-to destinations for player injuries, trades, signings, line combinations, and more!