The Avalanche have acquired Tucker Poolman (20% retained) and a 2025 fourth-round pick from the Canucks for Erik Brannstrom.
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NHL Hockey Player News
The Canucks have acquired Erik Brannstrom from the Avalanche for Tucker Poolman (20% retained) and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
The Ducks placed John Gibson (appendectomy) on IR.
Gibson underwent an emergency appendectomy on September 25th and is about two weeks into his original 3-6 week timeline. The American netminder has failed to produce a save percentage above .900 in each of the last two seasons and beginning 2024-25 on the Injured Reserve is a tough way to ensure a bounce-back campaign after only 13 wins in 2023-24.
The Blackhawks placed Wyatt Kaiser (illness) on IR.
The Blackhawks placed Laurent Brossoit (knee) on injured non-roster.
Boston has signed Jeremy Swayman to an eight-year, $66 million ($8,250,000 AAV) contract extension.
After prolonged contract negotiations kept Swayman out of the Bruins' training camp, the two sides have finally reached an agreement on a massive eight-year contract extension worth $66 million. Swayman cemented his part in the Bruins' crease last season after posting a tremendous 2.53 GAA and .916 SV% in 44 games (25-10-8). The American netminder is expected to see the majority of action between the crease for the Bruins this season but will be backing up Joonas Korpisalo in the team's debut on Tuesday against the Florida Panthers.
Othmann has been assigned to the Hartford Wolfpack (AHL).
Bear has cleared waivers and been loaned to the Hershey Bears (AHL).
Bear was placed on waivers Friday but cleared on Saturday and has been loaned to the Hershey Bears (AHL) for the start of the 2024-25 season. The 27-year-old is in the second year of a two-year, $4.13 million contract and had a goal, four points and 10 PIMs in 24 games played in 2023-24.
Waiver Move
Colorado has claimed John Ludvig off waivers from the Pittsburgh Penguins.
Ludvig was placed on waivers by Pittsburgh on Friday and has been claimed by the Colorado Avalanche on Saturday. The 24-year-old defenseman spent his entire rookie season in 2023-24 with Pittsburgh and had three goals, five points and 47 PIMs in 33 games played.
Peterka has been diagnosed with a concussion.
Peterka left Buffalo's Global Series game in Prague after just 1:39 TOI in the first due to an injury and has been diagnosed with a concussion post game. The 22-year-old is without a timetable to return for the time being but should be provided updates when Buffalo returns to the United States.
Columbus has signed Kevin Labanc to a one-year, $775,000 contract.
Labanc was on a PTO with New Jersey but has earned himself a one-year, $775,000 contract with the Columbus Blue Jackets on Saturday. The 28-year-old winger played the previous eight seasons in San Jose but had a down year in 2023-24 with only two goals, nine points and a -27 plus/minus in 46 games played.
Karlsson (lower body) expects to be ready for Pittsburgh's season opener.
Karlsson began skating with the team earlier this week but has stated that he fully expects to be ready for Pittsburgh's season opener on Wednesday vs. the New York Rangers. The 34-year-old has yet to appear in the preseason but will be looking to build off a subpar first season in PIttsburgh in 2023-24, with 11 goals, 56 PIMs and 213 SOG in 82 games played.
Line Change
Kulich will make his season debut on Saturday vs. New Jersey.
Kulich will get the chance to make his season debut in his home country of Czechia after it was announced Zach Benson would be out on Saturday vs. New Jersey. The 20-year-old centre is only making his second NHL appearance ever after making it into one game in 2023-24. He is expected to take Benson's spot in Buffalo's top-six.
Line Change
Krebs will make his season debut on Saturday vs. New Jersey.
Benson (lower-body) is out for Saturday vs. New Jersey.
Benson played 17:23 TOI in Buffalo's debut on Friday but is absent from the lineup for their second game on Saturday in Prague due to a lower-body injury. The Sabres' have yet to provide any updates on the severity of the issue of the flashy 19-year-old who appeared in 71 games in 2023-24 and picked up 11 goals and 30 points.
MacDermid will make his season debut on Saturday vs. Buffalo.
With Ondrej Palat stepping away from the team due to the birth of his second child, Kurtis MacDaermid will make his season debut on Saturday in Prague vs. Buffalo. The 30-year-old bruising left-winger came to New Jersey mid season in 2023-24 and had two goals, three points and 73 PIMs in 45 total games played.
Goalie Start
Levi will start on Saturday vs. New Jersey in Prague.
Levi split his 2023-24 season between the NHL and the AHL and will start 2024-25 as the Sabres' No.2 netminder behind Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. During his 23 NHL games last season, Levi was 10-8-2 with a 3.10 GAA and .899 SV%. Buffalo is coming off of a 4-1 loss to the Devils on Friday and are +127 underdogs.
Goalie Start
Allen will start on Saturday vs. Buffalo in Prague.
Allen was traded to the Devils last March and went 6-6-1 with a 3.11 GAA and .900 SV% in 13 games. Over the last two seasons he has posted a pretty ugly .893 SV% across 76 games. With Jacob Markstrom starting the season opener on Friday, the Devils will turn to Allen in the second half of a back-to-back. New Jersey enter play as -140 favourites following yesterday’s 4-1 win.
Line Change
Palat will not play on Saturday due to the birth of his child.
Kurtis MacDermid will make his season debut in Palat's absence as he leaves the team for the birth of his second child. Palat managed to stick around for the Devils' season opener in Prague and had no points, and one SOG across 13:46 TOI.
Goalie Start
Levi is expected to start Saturday vs. the Devils.
Levi split his 2023-24 season between the NHL and the AHL and will start 2024-25 as the Sabres' No.2 netminder behind Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen. During his 23 NHL games last season, Levi was 10-8-2 with a 3.10 GAA and .899 SV%. Buffalo is coming off of a 4-1 loss to the Devils on Friday and are +127 underdogs.
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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- NHL Player Injury Updates and Recovery Timelines – See all the latest NHL player injury updates, timelines for their return, and impact made on each team.
- NHL Waiver Wire Moves and Implications – Check out all the latest moves made on the NHL waiver wire and their implications on the teams involved.
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- NHL Player Signings and Contract Details – Your go-to spot during NHL free agency, check out the latest NHL player signings and contract details today.
- NHL Roster Changes and Transactions – Looking to see what the latest moves made by your favourite team were? Then check out the latest NHL roster changes and transactions here on DFO.