NHL Hockey Player News

Samuel Ersson will start Thursday in Vancouver.

On the front end of a back-to-back, the Flyers will turn to Samuel Ersson for the sixth time in the last seven games. Ersson's clutch of the starting position for the Flyers is a result of Hart being unable to play due to various injuries and illnesses over the last month, but he has made the most of his time between the pipes. Ersson has played nine games since mid-November (7-1-1), allowing three or fewer goals in each, posting a stellar .926 SV%. That said, the Flyers will be put to the test as +136 road underdogs on Thursday against a Vancouver Canucks club that was shut out by the Flyers 2-0 in the opening week of the season.

Samuel Ersson
Ryan Carpenter (undisclosed) has been activated from the Injured Reserve.

Carpenter has not played since December 3rd, a 10-game absence, and will be eligible to return to the lineup for the Sharks on Thursday after being activated from the injured reserve. The 32-year-old centre is on pace to play the most amount of games he has in three seasons and has a goal, four assists, 21 SOG, and two PIMs in 18 games played this season. In a corresponding move, the Sharks placed Givani Smith on IR.

Ryan Carpenter
Detroit has placed Michael Hutchinson on waivers Thursday.

With Alex Lyon returning from an upper-body injury, the Red Wings will roll with him and James Reimer, prompting the team to place Hutchinson on waivers to be reassigned to the Grand Rapids Griffins. In one game with the Red Wings, Hutchinson saved 33 of 36 shots (.917 SV%) in a 3-2 loss to the New Jersey Devils last week.

Michael Hutchinson
Casey DeSmith was the first goalie off the ice at Vancouver's morning skate.

In their first game back from the Christmas break, the Canucks will likely turn to Casey DeSmith and give Thatcher Demko an extended rest, as they will not play again until January 2nd. DeSmith last played on December 19th, saving 26 of 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Nashville Predators, and is amid a hot streak, allowing two goals or less, posting a .965 SV% while recording at least a point in each of his last three contests (2-0-1). The Canucks are -164 home favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team that has lost two straight.

Casey DeSmith
Jack Roslovic (fractured ankle) has a chance to return to the Blue Jackets' lineup Friday vs. Toronto.

Roslovic has not played since November 12th, a 21-game absence, due to a fractured ankle and could make his return to the lineup on Friday against the Toronto Maple Leafs despite not participating in line rushes at practice on Thursday. Before his injury, Roslovic played predominantly on a line with Boone Jenner and Johnny Gaudreau, scoring eight points (2G / 6A) in 14 games.

Jack Roslovic
Zach Werenski (lower body) is expected to be out week-to-week.

Werenski suffered a lower-body injury in Wednesday's contest against the New Jersey Devils and exited the game after playing only 11:15 time-on-ice. Werenski has struggled to stay healthy the last several seasons and will likely be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis. He has been a solid contributor for the Blue Jackets on the blueline this season, scoring 19 points, all assists, in his last 23 games. Ivan Provorov assumed the top powerplay role after Werenski exited the game on Wednesday.

Zach Werenski
Jeff Petry (upper-body) is expected to return Friday vs. Nashville after a one-game absence.

Petry skated on a pair with Ben Chiarot at practice on Thursday and is expected to make his return to the lineup after being unable to play on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury. In 27 games this season, Petry has ten points (1G / 9A), 34 shots, 34 hits, and 49 blocks.

Jeff Petry
Olli Maatta is expected to draw back into the Red Wings' lineup Friday vs. Nashville.

Maatta is expected to draw back into the lineup after a two-game absence due to an upper-body injury. The veteran defenseman skated alongside Shayne Gostisbehere at practice on Thursday and has six points (1G / 5A), 16 hits, and 29 blocks through 27 games this season.

Olli Maatta
Simon Edvinsson is expected to be the odd man out of the Red Wings' lineup Friday vs. Nashville.

With Olli Maatta and Jeff Petry expected to return to the lineup on Friday, Edvinsson is expected to serve as a healthy scratch. Edvinsson played the last two games from the Red Wings, averaging over 14 minutes of time-on-ice, recording one point (0G / 1A), and registering three hits.

Simon Edvinsson
Alex Lyon will start Friday vs. Nashville.

Lyon has been on injured reserve with an upper-body injury after exiting a December 16th contest against the Philadelphia Flyers in the second period. In his absence, the Red Wings, also without Ville Husso, went 1-5-0 while relying predominantly on James Reimer. Before his injury, Lyon was stellar, allowing one goal or fewer in four of his last six games (4-2-0), posting a tremendous .938 SV%. The Red Wings will face off against the Nashville Predators, who have lost two straight games (0-2-0).

Alex Lyon
Pavel Buchnevich (illness) missed practice Thursday and is questionable Friday vs. Colorado.

Buchnevich was held without a point in 19:42 time-on-ice on Wednesday, firing five shots on goals and taking three hits, but was absent from practice on Thursday as he battles an illness. His status for Friday's contest against the Colorado Avalanche remains in the air.

Pavel Buchnevich
Ilya Samsonov will start Friday in Columbus.

Samsonov has served as the backup to the Maple Leafs' third-string goaltender, Martin Jones, in four of the last games but will get the opportunity to reassert himself in a favourable matchup against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Friday. Samsonov has been abysmal when called upon lately, allowing four or more goals in each of his last three contests (0-1-2), posting an ugly .819 SV%. Samsonov allowed six goals on 35 shots (.829 SV%) in a 6-5 overtime loss to the Blue Jackets two weeks ago.

Ilya Samsonov
Tyson Barrie (upper body) is considered day-to-day.

Barrie was a healthy scratch on Wednesday, replaced by Dante Fabbro, and is now day-to-day with an upper-body injury. Before the Christmas break, Barrie had played five straight games for the Predators, scoring one point (1G / 0A), a -2 plus/minus, and averaged slightly over 17 minutes per night.

Tyson Barrie
Semyon Varlamov (undisclosed) is day-to-day after missing practice Thursday and will be a game-time decision Friday vs. Washington.

Varlamov entered Wednesday's 7-0 blowout loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins in relief of Ilya Sorokin in the third period, allowing one goal on seven shots (.857 SV%). However, he was absent from practice on Thursday, dealing with an undisclosed injury, and is considered day-to-day ahead of Friday's contest against the Washington Capitals. The Islanders recalled Ken Appleby from Bridgeport (AHL), who will likely serve as the backup to Sorokin if Varlamov is unable to suit up on Friday.

Semyon Varlamov
Mark Giordano (broken finger) appears set to return Friday vs. Columbus.

Giordano has not played since November 28th, missing 12 games, and will likely return to the lineup on Friday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Before his injury, Giordano skated predominantly on a pair with Jake McCabe, scoring five points (1G / 4A) while averaging 17:52 time-on-ice in 20 games this season.

Mark Giordano
Zach Werenski (lower body) was absent at Blue Jackets' practice after leaving Wednesday game early.

Werenski suffered a lower-body injury in Wednesday's contest against the New Jersey Devils and exited the game after playing only 11:15 time-on-ice. Werenski has struggled to stay healthy the last several seasons and will be reevaluated after not participating in practice on Thursday. He has been a solid contributor for the Blue Jackets on the blueline this season, scoring 19 points, all assists, in his last 23 games.

Zach Werenski
Cole Caufield (treatment) will play Thursday in Carolina despite missing the morning skate.

Caufield has four points during his current four-game point streak (1G / 3A) and will play on Thursday after not partaking in the morning skate on Thursday. The talented winger has one goal in his last 11 games but still produces a high shot volume, averaging 3.4 shots per game.

Cole Caufield

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

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