NHL Hockey Player News

Corey Perry has cleared waivers and his contract is terminated "effective immediately".

Perry's saga as a member of the Chicago Blackhawks is officially over after an unceremonious contract termination. In a statement released by the team, Perry engaged in "unacceptable conduct" that violated his contract and team standards. Perry was amid a somewhat resurgent start to the season, scoring nine points (4G / 5A) in 16 games.

Corey Perry
Shea Theodore (upper body) underwent successful surgery and is out week-to-week.

Theodore missed the last three games with an upper-body injury with an uncertain timeframe but has since been updated to week-to-week after undergoing surgery. Theodore was pacing for the most productive season of his career with 18 points (4G / 14A) in 20 games. The Golden Knights will turn to Alex Pietrangelo, already averaging 23:55 time-on-ice, to see an increased role in his absence, especially on the powerplay.

Shea Theodore
Cam Talbot is expected to start Wednesday vs. Washington.

Talbot will likely start for the Kings on Wednesday and should be well rested, having only played once in the last 10 days, a 29-save performance (.935 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks. Talbot was a workhorse to start the season but could be used more conservatively moving forward as backup goalie Phoenix Copley has had consecutive strong performances, indicating he has refound his game after a poor start. In 14 games this season (10-3-1), Talbot has been among the league's best goaltenders, posting a tremendous 2.02 GAA and .931 SV%. The Kings are sizeable -203 home favourites against a Washington Capitals team that ranks 31st in the league offensively (2.33 GF / GP) and has been outscored 7-1 in their last two games (0-2-0).

Cam Talbot
Pierre-Olivier Joseph (lower body) was in a normal practice jersey at Wednesday's team skate.

Joseph has not played since November 4th due to a lower-body injury but appears to be on the verge of a return to the lineup after being a full participant at the Penguins' practice on Wednesday. Before his injury, Joseph had one point (0G / 1A) in five games, averaging 13:05 time-on-ice, playing predominantly with Chad Ruhwedel on the Penguins' third defensive pairing.

Pierre-Olivier Joseph
Jacob Markstrom (illness) was a full participant in Calgary's practice Wednesday.

Markstrom was a full participant at practice and will likely be available to return to the crease for the Flames on Thursday against the Dallas Stars. Markstrom was the starting goalie for the Flames one week ago against the Stars, saving 24 of 28 shots (.857 SV%), in a 7-4 victory.

Jacob Markstrom
Akito Hirose has been reassigned to Abbotsford (AHL).

Hirose last played on November 18th but has since served as a healthy scratch, prompting his reassignment to the Abbotsford Canucks of the AHL. In a corresponding move, the Canucks have recalled veteran defenceman Matt Irwin, who has yet to play at the NHL level this season but has eight points (0G / 8A) in 12 games with Abbotsford.

Akito Hirose
Linus Karlsson has been recalled from Abbotsford (AHL).

Karlsson made his NHL debut with the Canucks on November 16 and could be an option to draw back into their lineup after being recalled from Abbotsford (AHL) on Wednesday. In 17 games with Abbotsford, Karlsson has 15 points (3G / 12A) and a +5 plus/minus rating.

Linus Karlsson
Matt Irwin has been recalled from Abbotsford (AHL).

Irwin was an NHL regular with the Washington Capital last season, scoring five points (2G / 3A) in 61 games but has exclusively played in the AHL this season with the Abbotsford Canucks, scoring two points (0G / 2A) in 13 games. Irwin was recalled along with Linus Karlsson and could serve as a replacement for Akito Hirose, who was reassigned to Abbotsford in a corresponding move.

Matt Irwin
Jordan Oesterle has been recalled from the Calgary Wranglers (AHL).

Oesterle played four games with the Flames earlier this season, going without a point, but has spent most of his time in the AHL with the Calgary Wrangler where he has eight points (0G / 8A) in 12 games. During his brief stint with the Flames, he played almost exclusively with either Dennis Gilbert or Nikita Zadorov.

Jordan Oesterle
Dougie Hamilton (upper body) is being evaluated and will be a game-time decision Thursday.

Hamilton logged 13:25 TOI before departing Tuesday's come-from-behind win over the Islanders. Hamilton did not return for the third period and head coach Lindy Ruff's only update was that he "couldn't play." Hamilton will be a game-time decision on Thursday.

Dougie Hamilton
Jordan Greenway (personal) will draw back into the Sabres' lineup Thursday vs. St. Louis.

Greenway has missed the last two games for the Sabres tending to a personal matter but will return to the lineup on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues. Through 19 games this season, Greenway has six points (2G / 4A), 19 penalty minutes, and 28 hits while averaging a career-high 17:08 time-on-ice. He has spent the majority of the season partnered with centerman Casey Mittelstadt.

Jordan Greenway
Cayden Primeau will start Thursday vs. Florida.

Primeau will start on Thursday for the Canadiens, the back end of a back-to-back, after Samuel Montembeault got the nod on Wednesday. Primeau played exceptionally in his most recent contest, saving 31 of 33 shots (.939 SV%) in a 3-2 victory over the San Jose Sharks, but will be facing a significantly more challenging opponent in the Florida Panthers on Thursday. The Panthers rank in the bottom third of the league offensively (2.91 GF / GP) but will still be heavy road favourites against a Canadiens team that played and travelled the previous night.

Cayden Primeau
Joel Armia will draw back into the Canadiens' lineup Wednesday vs. Columbus.

Armia has not played since November 9th, a span of eight games, but will draw back into the lineup for the Canadiens on Wednesday in favour of Michael Pezzetta, who will be a healthy scratch. In six games this season, Armia has one point (1G / 0A) and eight shots while averaging 12:38 time-on-ice.

Joel Armia
Elvis Merzlikins will start Wednesday vs. Montreal.

Merzlikins will start for the fourth time in the last five games for the Blue Jackets and look to build on his best stretch of play this season. After a six-game run of winless hockey for Merzlikins (0-4-1), posting a .891 SV%, he has won two of his last three (2-1-0), registering a tremendous .940 SV%, including a heroic 40-save performance in a 3-2 losing effort to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday. The Blue Jackets are -125 home favourites on Wednesday against a Montreal Canadiens team that has lost five of their last seven (2-5-0), being outscored 27-17.

Elvis Merzlikins
Samuel Laberge has been recalled from Utica (AHL) Wednesday.

Laberge is an undrafted left-winger who has spent the last three seasons with the Utica Comets of the AHL, scoring 32 points (14G / 18A) in 104 combined games. The 26-year-old Laberge has yet to play an NHL game and will likely serve as a depth forward for the Devils while they are without Erik Haula and Timo Meier.

Samuel Laberge
Mark Girodano (hand) left Tuesday's game vs. Florida and is expected to miss Thursday's game and beyond.

Giordano played only 6:31 time-on-ice before exiting Tuesday's contest with a suspected upper-body injury and is expected to miss an extended period, leaving a huge void on a defensive core already without Timothy Liljegren and John Klingberg. Giordano has been a consistent presence on the back end for the Maple Leafs this season, recording five points (1G / 4A) in 20 games while averaging 17:52.

Mark Giordano
Jeremy Swayman will start Thursday vs. San Jose.

Jim Montgomery and the Bruins coaching staff have favoured Swayman over Linus Ullmark in recent weeks and will continue that trend on Thursday as Swayman will start for the fifth time in the last seven games. Swayman has been the more consistent of the two goalies this season but has struggled lately, as has the entire team, failing to record a victory in three straight games (0-1-1), posting a subpar .882 SV% in the process. The Bruins will look for only their second win in six games (1-3-1) against a low-scoring San Jose Sharks team (1.64 GF / GP) that has played significantly better lately, winning three of their last six (3-2-1).

Jeremy Swayman
Elvis Merzlikins is expected to start Wednesday vs. Montreal.

Merzlikins will likely start for the fourth time in the last five games for the Blue Jackets and look to build on his best stretch of play this season. After a six-game run of winless hockey for Merzlikins (0-4-1), posting a .891 SV%, he has won two of his last three (2-1-0), registering a tremendous .940 SV%, including a heroic 40-save performance in a 3-2 losing effort to the Carolina Hurricanes on Sunday. The Blue Jackets are -125 home favourites on Wednesday against a Montreal Canadiens team that has lost five of their last seven (2-5-0), being outscored 27-17.

Elvis Merzlikins

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!