NHL Hockey Player News

Alexandar Georgiev is in the starter's crease at Wednesday's morning skate.

Georgiev will likely start for the Avalanche on Wednesday when they welcome the Anaheim Ducks into town. Georgiev is coming off a solid 18-save effort (.947 SV%) in a 5-1 win over the Seattle Kraken on Monday, his first quality start in over three weeks. Before Monday's contest, Georgiev had an ugly .832 SV% in his previous five games (1-4-0). The Avalanche hope Georgiev's most recent effort is a sign he is getting his game back on track as they are huge -306 home favourites against a Ducks team that played in Nashville last night.

Alexandar Georgiev
Stuart Skinner will start Wednesday vs. Seattle.

Skinner is coming off consecutive quality starts for the first time this season and will look to stretch his streak to three games on Wednesday. In his last two games (2-0-0), Skinner has saved 49 of 51 shots (.961 SV%), including saving 17 of 18 (.944 SV%) against Wednesday's opponent, the Seattle Kraken. The Oilers are in the midst of their first two-game winning streak of the season and have outscored their opposition 8-2. They will hope to continue their success under new head coach Kris Knoblauch as -182 home favourites against a Kraken team that has been outscored 9-2 in their last two outings (0-2-0).

Stuart Skinner
Erik Cernak (undisclosed) is likely to return to Tampa's lineup Thursday vs. Chicago.

Cernak did not play on Tuesday due to an undisclosed injury that forced him to exit the team's November 11th matchup against the Carolina Hurricanes, a 4-0 loss, after playing only 9:57. The 6'4 Slovak defenceman has three points (0G / 3A), 18 blocks, and 33 hits while averaging 18:53 time-on-ice through 15 games this season.

Erik Cernak
Darcy Kuemper left Washington's practice Wednesday with a lower-body injury.

Kuemper left practice in difficulty with an apparent lower-body injury on Wednesday. Kuemper had just returned to the lineup and served as the backup to Charlie Lindgren after not dressing for two games with an undisclosed injury. It is unclear at this time if Kuemper will miss any time. He has an uncharacteristically poor 3.07 GAA and .892 SV% through eight games this season (3-3-2).

Darcy Kuemper
Vladislav Kolyachonok has been recalled from Tucson (AHL).

With the news that Juuso Valimaki is expected to miss an extended period with an upper-body injury, the Coyotes have opted to recall Kolyachonok from the Tuscon Roadrunners of the AHL. In 11 games with the Roadrunners, Kolyachonok has three points (2G / 1A) and a +5 plus/minus rating. He was the 52nd overall pick of the Florida Panthers in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft.

Vladislav Kolyachonok
Juuso Valimaki (upper body) will be out "a while" after taking a puck high Tuesday.

Valimaki exited the ice under his power immediately after taking a Jani Hakanpaa slapshot directly to the face, leaving a trail of blood behind him. Unfortunately for Valimaki and the Coyotes, it appears to be a significant injury. Valimaki has played in all 15 games for the Coyotes, tallying four points (0G / 4A) and 10 shots while averaging 18:13 time-on-ice.

Juuso Valimaki
Egor Zamula will draw back into the Flyers' lineup Wednesday vs. Carolina.

Zamula will return to the lineup for the Flyers after being a healthy scratch in their most recent contest. The 22-year-old Russian defenceman is off to a solid start this season, tallying four points (1G / 3A), 12 shots, and a +9 plus/minus rating while averaging 16:19 time-on-ice through 14 games.

Egor Zamula
Carter Hart will start Wednesday in Carolina.

Hart will start for the Flyers on Wednesday, marking his first game action since November 1st, when he allowed two goals on five shots. Hart was originally out of the lineup with a mid-boy injury and, more recently, dealing with an illness. The Flyers managed to hold down the fort in Hart's absence, posting a 3-2-0 record, but will be thrilled to have their workhorse goaltender back in the mix. The 25-year-old Hart is in the midst of his best season in four years, boasting a 2.52 GAA and .913 SV% through eight games (4-3-0). Hart will be thrown to the lions in his return to action as the Flyers are sizeable +218 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes team coming off a dominant 4-0 shutout victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Carter Hart
Dylan Holloway (undisclosed) has been placed on the long-term injured reserve.

Holloway was hoping he was turning his season around after scoring his first point in game 13 of the season but followed that up by suffering an undisclosed injury in the following contest. The Oilers have recalled Adam Erne and Raphael Lavoie as potential substitutes for the 22-year-old Holloway.

Dylan Holloway
Mattias Janmark (shoulder) has been placed on the LTIR retroactive to October 26th.

Janmark has not played since suffering a shoulder injury on October 26th and has been placed on the long-term injured reserve. Janmark was averaging 13:05 time-on-ice in the seven games leading up to his injury, scoring zero points and a -2 plus/minus rating. The Oilers have recalled Raphael Lavoie and Adam Erne.

Mattias Janmark
Philip Broberg has been recalled from Bakersfield (AHL).

Broberg has been recalled from the AHL in addition to Adam Erne and Raphael Lavoie in moves corresponding to Mattias Janmark and Dylan Holloway being placed on the injured reserve. The 22-year-old Broberg has eight games with the Oilers this season, scoring zero points while averaging 11:12 time-on-ice.

Philip Broberg
Adam Erne has been recalled from Bakersfield (AHL) and will draw into the Oilers lineup Wednesday.

Erne was sent down earlier this month, allowing the Oilers to sign Sam Gagner, but has now been recalled with the team placing Mattias Janmark and Dylan Holloway on the injured reserve. In four games with Bakersfield, Erne recorded one point (0G / 1A) and a -5 plus/minus rating. He will replace Raphael Lavoie in the Oilers' lineup Wednesday.

Adam Erne
Matthew Phillips (lower body) was absent at practice Wednesday after blocking a shot last game.

Phillips played 13:52 time-on-ice Tuesday, only four seconds less than his season-high, as he made his way onto the Capitals second-line and second powerplay unit. He received a maintenance day on Wednesday and did not participate in practice after blocking a shot in the team's 3-0 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights on Tuesday. Phillips has four points (1G / 3A) in 14 games this season.

Matthew Phillips
Pyotr Kotchetkov was in the starter's crease at Wednesday's morning skate.

Kochetkov will likely start his second consecutive game for the Hurricanes as the 24-year-old Russian netminder is reeling after a 22-save, 4-0 shutout victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning on Saturday. Before his strong performance on Saturday, Kochetkov had lost all three appearances (0-3-0), allowing 11 goals on 67 shots (.836 SV%). The Hurricanes will hope to keep things rolling for Kochetkov on Wednesday as they are -248 home favourites against a Philadelphia Flyers team on a two-game winning streak.

Pyotr Kochetkov
Carter Hart is the likely starter Wednesday at Carolina.

Hart will likely start for the Flyers on Wednesday, marking his first game action since November 1st, when he allowed two goals on five shots. Hart was originally out of the lineup with a mid-boy injury and, more recently, dealing with an illness. The Flyers managed to hold down the fort in Hart's absence, posting a 3-2-0 record, but will be thrilled to have their workhorse goaltender back in the mix. The 25-year-old Hart is in the midst of his best season in four years, boasting a 2.52 GAA and .913 SV% through eight games (4-3-0). Hart will be thrown to the lions in his return to action as the Flyers are sizeable +218 road underdogs against a Carolina Hurricanes team coming off a dominant 4-0 shutout victory over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Carter Hart
Thompson is out indefinitely with an upper-body injury.

Sabres head coach Don Granato said after Tuesday's game against the Bruins that Thompson would likely miss "significant time" due to the upper-body injury. Thompson originally left the game in the first period due to a lower-body injury before returning. He then exited the game again shortly thereafter when a Charlie McAvoy shot struck him in the left wrist. Thompson's absence will leave a major void in the Sabres' attack, even despite his relatively slow start. Thompson has six goals and six assists in 15 games on the season. We should expect to receive a more definitive timeline on his recovery in the coming days.

Tage Thompson

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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