NHL Hockey Player News

Quick led the Rangers onto the ice for warmups.

Quick has turned back time this season, grossly outplayed Igor Shesterkin, and will likely start for the Rangers on the front end of a back-to-back on Friday. The 37-year-old Quick has been nearly unbeatable this season, winning his last seven starts while posting a serviceable .916 SV%. Quick's 2.09 GAA and .926 SV% surpass anything he has ended the season with throughout his illustrious career. The Rangers will look for their fourth straight win as -116 home favourites against an Oilers team that snapped a three-game skid last night, courtesy of a 6-3 victory over the New Jersey Devils.

Jonathan Quick
Marc Staal will be a healthy scratch Friday in Detroit.

The Marc Staal/Egor Zamula lineup carousel continues Friday as Staal will be a healthy scratch in Detroit as he continues to appear in every other game. The 36-year-old veteran defenceman has struggled this season, with an assist, four SOG, and eight PIMs in 14 games played thus far.

Marc Staal
Egor Zamula will draw back into the Flyers' lineup Friday in Detroit.

Zamula will continue his pattern of playing in every other game as he draws back into the Flyers' lineup Friday in Detroit for Marc Staal. The 23-year-old has taken a step forward with his game in 2023-24, with a goal, three assists, 21 SOG, 14 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus through 23 games played.

Egor Zamula
Carter Hart will start Friday in Detroit.

Samuel Ersson has started the last five games for the Flyers, including a 4-2 loss to the Nashville Predators last night, as Hart has been recovering from an illness. Hart will return to the crease on Friday against the Detroit Red Wings as the 25-year-old netminder will search for his fourth straight win. Hart has allowed two or fewer goals in each of his last three contests (3-0-0), posting a dazzling .958 SV%. The Flyers are +118 road underdogs on Friday against a Red Wings team that has scored only six goals over their last four games (0-4-0).

Carter Hart
Vegas Golden Knights have signed Ben Hutton to a two-year, $1.95 million ($975,000 AAV) contract extension.

Hutton is nearing 500 games played (496) in his ninth NHL season and has signed a two-year, $1.95 million contract ($975,000) with Vegas Friday. The 30-year-old defenceman has almost surpassed his games played from last season at the quarter point of the 2023-24 season and has a goal, seven assists, 45 SOG, 15 PIMs and a +7 plus/minus in 28 games played.

Ben Hutton
Ben Meyers has been reassigned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL).

Meyers had appeared in Colorado's last five games but appears to be the odd man off the roster as he was assigned to the Colorado Eagles (AHL) on Friday. The 25-year-old returns to the minors with a goal, four SOG and a -1 plus/minus in five games in the NHL this season. He has miraculously yet to pick up an assist after 49 career NHL games.

Ben Meyers
Julien Gauthier (upper body) is expected to be available Saturday vs. Carolina.

Gauthier missed the Islanders' previous game Thursday due to an upper-body injury but appears ready to go on Saturday vs. Carolina. The 26-year-old is off to the most productive start of his five-year career, with two goals, five points, 19 SOG and. four PIMs in 14 games played prior to his injury.

Julien Gauthier
Michael Sgarbossa has been reassigned to Hershey (AHL).

Sgarbossa did not appear for the Capitals during his brief call-up stint and will head back to Hershey (AHL) Friday. The 31-year-old centre last played in the NHL in 2021-22 but has been having success in the minors with the Bears this season, with five goals, 28 points, 16 PIMs and a +4 plus/minus in 28 games played.

Michael Sgarbossa
Jeremy Swayman is expected to start Friday in Winnipeg.

Swayman, as are the Bruins, is winless in his last two outings, but he will return to the crease on the front end of a back-to-back on Friday. Despite sporting only a .500 record in his last four (2-0-2), Swayman has a stellar .958 SV%, only allowing five total goals, and has been a victim of porous goal support from his team. The Bruins have lost four of their last six (2-1-3) and matchup evenly at -105 against the Winnipeg Jets, who have points in four straight games (3-0-1).

Jeremy Swayman
Artturi Lehkonen (neck) took part in Colorado's optional team skate for the first time since November 9th, Friday.

Lehkonen has not yet been cleared for contact, but his presence, skating at practice, is a promising sign for a team without him for 21 games. Before his injury, Lehkonen had eight points (3G / 5A) in 12 games, averaging 18:30 time-on-ice, playing predominantly alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, including top powerplay deployment. Valeri Nischushkin has been the main benefactor, occupying Lehkonen's offensive deployment, scoring 24 points (13G / 11A) in 19 games since.

Artturi Lehkonen
Mason Lohrei will draw back into the Bruins lineup Friday vs. Winnipeg.

Lohrei will draw back into the lineup for the Bruins on Friday as Matt Grzelcyk (upper body) did not travel with the team and will miss at least the next two games. In 15 games this season, Lohrei has five points (2G / 3A), 22 shots, eight blocks, and 26 hits while averaging 16:59 time-on-ice.

Mason Lohrei
Matt Grzelcyk (upper body) did not travel with the Bruins' on their road trip and will miss at least the next two games.

Grzelcyk played only 13:35 in the Bruins' last game before exiting with an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old defenseman has failed to record a point in 13 consecutive games and has only one point (1G / 0A) through 20 games this season. Mason Lohrei will draw into the lineup in the interim.

Matt Grzelcyk
Steven Lorentz is expected to be a healthy scratch Saturday vs. Vegas.

Lorentz will be a healthy scratch on Saturday, allowing Anton Lundell to return to the lineup after missing four games due to an illness. Lorentz has been a regular in the lineup this season, scoring three points (1G / 2A) and registering 28 hits while averaging 8:35 time-on-ice through 25 games.

Steven Lorentz
Anton Lundell (illness) is expected to return after a four-game absence Saturday vs. Vegas.

Steven Lorentz will be a healthy scratch on Saturday, allowing Lundell to return to the lineup after missing four games battling an illness. Lundell has 12 points (2G / 10A) in 22 games this season, most recently playing on a line with Evan Rodrigues and Eetu Luostarinen.

Anton Lundell
Cayden Primeau will start Friday in Chicago.

Primeau will start for only the second time this month and the first time since December 9th, a sensational performance where he saved 46 of 48 shots (.958 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the Buffalo Sabres. Despite seeing very limited action between the pipes, Primeau has played pretty well when called upon, allowing nine goals across his last three starts, boasting a .918 SV%. That said, the Canadiens had to travel last night after a 4-3 loss to the Minnesota Wild and are +104 road underdogs against a Chicago Blackhawks team that surprisingly ended a four-game losing skid with a 3-2 victory over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.

Cayden Primeau
Carter Hart is expected to start Friday in Detroit.

Samuel Ersson has started the last five games for the Flyers, including a 4-2 loss to the Nashville Predators last night, as Hart has been recovering from an illness. All signs point to Hart returning to the crease on Friday against the Detroit Red Wings as the 25-year-old netminder will search for his fourth straight win. Hart has allowed two or fewer goals in each of his last three contests (3-0-0), posting a dazzling .958 SV%. The Flyers are +118 road underdogs on Friday against a Red Wings team that has scored only six goals over their last four games (0-4-0).

Carter Hart

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!