NHL Hockey Player News

Mats Zuccarello (upper body) will be out again Tuesday and is considered week-to-week.

Zuccarello missed the Wilds' game Monday vs. Pittsburgh and will remain out Tuesday against Boston as he is week-to-week with an upper-body injury. It is a massive loss for the Wild as the 36-year-old veteran right-winger has six goals, 22 assists, 74 SOG, 10 PIMs and a -3 plus/minus in 28 games prior to his injury.

Mats Zuccarello
Pierre-Edouard Bellemare (lower body) has been placed on the Injured Reserve.

Bellemare exited Monday's game against the Dallas Stars with a lower-body injury after playing only 4:10 time-on-ice and was placed on the Injured Reserve Tuesday. The Kraken finished the game with only 10 forwards as Jared McCann exited the game as well shortly after. The 38-year-old Bellemare has five points (4G / 1A) in 29 games this season while averaging 9:34 time-on-ice.

Pierre-Edouard Bellemare
Cal Petersen has been recalled from Lehigh Valley (AHL) and will backup Tuesday vs. Vegas.

Petersen has a 4-6-1 record, .898 SV% and 3.20 GAA in 11 games with Lehigh Valley (AHL) this season and has been recalled to Philadelphia for a second time this season. The 29-year-old veteran of six years struggled in his previous call up, with his 1-1-0 record, .896 SV% and 3.50 GAA and will back up Samuel Ersson Tuesday while Carter Hart (illness) continues to recover.

Cal Petersen
Logan Couture (lower body) took part in San Jose's morning skate Tuesday for the first time since October.

Couture returned to Sharks' practice for the first time since early October as he is weeks away from returning from game action due to a lower-body injury. The 34-year-old was originally only expected to miss a few games to start the season but badly reaggrivated his injury and has missed the Sharks' first 31 games because of it. He is coming off a 67 point (27G/40A) season in 2022-23 and hasn't played less than 48 games in a since since 2009-10.

Logan Couture
Sean Couturier (maintenance) will be a game-time decision Tuesday vs. New Jersey.

Sean Couturier received a maintenance day and did not practice on Monday, and will be a game-time decision ahead of Tuesday's game against the New Jersey Devils. After missing the entirety of the 2022-23 campaign, Couturier hasn't missed a step. He has points in six of his last eight games, seven total (2G / 5A), and is averaging 3.4 shots per game. If he is unable to play, Scott Laughton will likely see increased offensive deployment.

Sean Couturier
Vinnie Hinostroza has been reassigned to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).

Hinostroza played three consecutive games for Pittsburgh, averaging over 13 minutes per night, but was held off the score sheet and has been reassigned to the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins of the AHL. He has four points (2G / 2A) in five games this season with Wilkes-Barre Scranton.

Vinnie Hinostroza
David Rittich is expected to make his Kings' debut Tuesday in San Jose.

Pheonix Copley went down with an undisclosed injury last week, prompting Rittich's call-up from the Ontario Reign (AHL). The 31-year-old veteran netminder is In his 9th NHL season and has a 79-51-21 career record with a .904 SV% and a 2.87 GAA. In 16 games with Ontario (7-6-3), Rittich a 2.63 GAA and .901 SV%. He has a favourable matchup in his Kings debut as they are -252 road favourites against a San Jose Sharks team that has scored only four goals combined over their last three games (1-2-0).

David Rittich
Kaapo Kahkonen was the first goalie off the ice at San Jose's morning skate.

Kahkonen will likely return to the crease on Tuesday when the Sharks face off against the Los Angeles Kings. In his last outing, Kahkonen saved 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) but was unvictorious in a 1-0 loss to the Arizona Coyotes. The Sharks have lost two straight, being outscored 7-2, and are sizeable +228 home underdogs against a Kings team that has lost three of their last four (1-2-1) and will turn to David Rittich between the pipes for the first time this season.

Kaapo Kahkonen
Ryan Shea has cleared waivers Tuesday and is expected to report to Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL).

Shea has been a regular in the lineup for the Penguins this season but has been a healthy scratch for the last three games. His placement on unconditional waivers coincides with Chad Ruhwedel preparing to return to the Penguins lineup and Pierre-Olivier Joseph returning last week.

Ryan Shea
Jacob Bryson has cleared waivers and is expected to be reassigned to Rochester (AHL).

Bryson has spent most of the season from the press box, regularly as a healthy scratch for the Sabres, and has been placed on unconditional waivers. After appearing in 59 games in the 2022-23 campaign, Bryson has been limited to only three games this season.

Jacob Bryson
Lucas Johansen has cleared waivers and been reassigned to Hershey (AHL).

Johansen was the 28th overall pick of the Washington Capitals in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft and has remained with the organization the entire time, playing predominantly with the Hershey Bears of the AHL. He has played nine total games with the Capitals in his career, including six this season, tallying one point (0G / 1A) and a +1 plus/minus.

Lucas Johansen
Adin Hill (undisclosed) will be out Tuesday and is expected to miss the next three games after not travelling on Vegas' road trip.

Hill returned to action after a multi-week absence on Sunday but exited the game in the first period with an undisclosed injury. It is unclear if his current ailment is related to his previous injury, but he will be out of the lineup for at least the next three games as Logan Thompson will continue to see the lion's share of action between the pipes in the interim.

Adin Hill
Calen Addison (lower body) will be a game-time decision Tuesday vs. Los Angeles.

Addison will be a game-time decision Tuesday but is expected to miss his first game since joining the Sharks earlier this year due to a lower-body injury. In 19 games with the Sharks, Addison has six points (1G / 5A), averaging 18:03 time-on-ice, including significant powerplay deployment.

Calen Addison
Jan Rutta (illness) will be a game-time decision Tuesday vs. Los Angeles.

Rutta will be a game-time decision on Tuesday due to an illness, allowing Marc-Edouard Vlasic to return to the lineup after being a healthy scratch for four games. Rutta has five points (0G / 5A) in 26 games while averaging 18:56 time-on-ice.

Jan Rutta
Anthony Duclair will draw back into the Sharks' lineup Tuesday vs. Los Angeles.

Duclair was a healthy scratch in the Sharks' 6-2 loss to the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday but will return to the lineup Tuesday night against the Los Angeles Kings. Duclair has played predominantly with Mikael Granlund and Fabian Zetterlund, scoring 11 points (6G / 5A) in 27 games this season.

Anthony Duclair
Jordan Binnington will start Tuesday at Tampa Bay.

Binnington will start for the fifth consecutive game and look for his third-straight win on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the two games since Drew Bannister took over coaching duties for the Blues, Binnington has won both games, saving 52 of 57 shots (.912 SV%) in the process. The Blues are +151 road favourites against the Lightning despite defeating them 5-0 in their only other meeting, a 30-save shutout for Binnington, his only one of the season.

Jordan Binnington
Hellebuyck will start Friday vs. Boston.

Hellebuyck did not play in Wednesday's 5-0 victory over the Detroit Red Wings but will return to the crease on Friday when the Jets host the Boston Bruins. Hellebuyck has been terrific lately, allowing two or fewer goals in 10 of his last 11 games (8-2-1) while posting a dazzling .939 SV%. The Jets are among the hottest teams in the league this month, losing only two of nine games in December (7-1-1), yet are slight +105 home underdogs against a Bruins team that has lost three of their last four contests (1-2-1).

Connor Hellebuyck

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!