NHL Hockey Player News

Fischer (upper-body) will return to the Red Wings lineup on Tuesday.

Fischer has played primarily on the fourth line with Austin Czarnik and Klim Kostin, recording one point (0G / 1A), 11 shots, and 18 hits through 11 games with the Red Wings. He will return to the lineup after sitting out Saturday's game against the Bruins due to the upper-body injury.

Christian Fischer
Larkin (upper-body) is on the ice for warmups and is expected to play against the Rangers in New York on Tuesday.

Larkin did not attend practice on Monday but participated in the team's morning skate on Tuesday and was officially a game-time decision. Through 12 games hee is averaging 19:50 time-on-ice, has 17 points (5G / 12A), and 41 shots on goal.

Dylan Larkin
Pelech (undisclosed) is on the ice for warmups and is expected to play against the Wild on Tuesday.

Pelech did not play on Saturday because of an undisclosed injury and he was a game-time decision for Tuesday's game against the Wild. The 29-year-old Pelech is averaging 20:33 time-on-ice and has racked up one point (0G / 1A), 20 blocks, and 12 hits in nine games this season.

Adam Pelech
Horvat (lower-body) is not on the ice for warmups and is not expected to play in Tuesday's game against the Wild.

Horvat played 20:06 on Saturday, recording two points (0G / 2A), but suffered a lower-body injury at some point, and he was a game-time decision for the Islanders' Tuesday night matchup against the Minnesota Wild as a result. Horvat is averaging 19:43 time-on-ice this season and has nine points (4G / 5A) through 10 games.

Bo Horvat
Varlamov will start Tuesday's game against the Wild.

Varlamov is coming off his league-leading second shutout of the season and will be the starting goalie for the Islanders on Tuesday when they host the Minnesota Wild. Varlamov has been tremendous in his limited action between the pipes this season, even outperforming teammate and perennial Vezina-finalist Ilya Sorokin, posting a league-best 1.00 GAA and .972 SV% through three games (2-1-0). The Islanders will be tested against the Wild and their ninth-ranked offence (3.55 GF / GP) but still rank as -128 home favourites.

Semyon Varlamov
Allen will start against the Lightning on Tuesday.

The Habs number-one netminder will return to the crease on Tuesday after Sam Montembeault got the call against the Blues on Saturday. Allen has enjoyed an incredibly hot start to the season, registering a .927 SV% and a 2.72 GAA along with a 3-1-1 record across his first five starts. He'll be looking to get back in the win column tonight after suffering a defeat in Arizona on Thursday despite surrendering just three goals on 35 shots (.914 SV%). Allen and the Habs are fortunate to catch the Lightning on the tail-end of a back-to-back, but they are still slight underdogs at +110.

Jake Allen
Luukkonen will start in Carolina on Tuesday.

Luukkonen served as the backup on Saturday to allow Devon Levi to return to the crease but will be the Sabres' starter on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. In his most recent game, Luukkonen surrendered five goals on 19 shots in a lopsided 5-1 defeat at the hands of the Philadelphia Flyers. Before that, Luukkonen was in the midst of a four-game stretch (3-1-0) where he saved 113 of 122 shots (.926 SV%). The Sabres will hope that Luukkonen can re-channel that early-season form as they are heavy +200 road underdogs on Tuesday.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Raanta will start against the Sabres on Tuesday.

Raanta is the starter for the Hurricanes on Tuesday in their first game without Frederik Andersen, who is away from the team to tend to a blood clotting issue. In five games this season (3-1-0), Raanta has played well below his career average, posting a 3.03 GAA and .870 SV%, but should see the majority of action between the pipes in the interim. Going forward, he will also battle for time with Pyotr Kochetkov, recalled from Syracuse (AHL) on Monday, and possibly Jaroslav Halak, who joined the team on a free-agent tryout. The Hurricanes are -203 home favourites on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres, who are 6-6-0 on the season.

Antti Raanta
Tomkins will start in Montreal on Tuesday.

With the Lightning playing their second game in as many nights, Tomkins will relieve temporary starter Jonas Johansson between the pipes on Tuesday. It's the third start of the year for the 29-year-old rookie who spent the last two seasons in the Swedish Hockey League. Tomkins will be looking for his first win of the season and will be hoping to improve on his .891 SV% and 3.61 GAA. He and the Lightning are slight road favourites at -130 over the Canadiens.

Matt Tomkins
Alec Martinez (undisclosed) is expected to return to the Golden Knights lineup Wednesday vs. Los Angeles.

Martinez missed the Golden Knights' previous game due to an undisclosed injury but is expected to return to the lineup Wednesday vs. Los Angeles after practicing Tuesday. The 36-year-old is in his 15th NHL season and has a goal, an assist, seven SOG and a +1 plus/minus in eight games played this season. He should return to the Golden Knights' second defensive pair.

Alec Martinez
John Gibson will start Tuesday vs. Pittsburgh.

Gibson returned from an upper-body injury on Sunday and saved 30 of 32 shots en route to defeating the Vegas Golden Knights 4-2, their first regulation loss of the season. The Ducks were mostly rotating starts between Gibson and Lukas Dostal but will reward Gibson with his first consecutive start of the season after his mighty performance on Sunday. The Ducks are +170 home underdogs against a Pittsburgh Penguins team that has lost five of their last seven games (2-5-0). On October 30th, Gibson saved six of seven shots against the Penguins before exiting the game with an injury, a game that the Ducks ultimately won 4-3.

John Gibson
Mackenzie Blackwood will start Tuesday vs. Philadelphia.

Blackwood will start on Tuesday and attempt to stop the bleeding for the Sharks, who have been dreadfully outscored 20-3 over their past two contests (0-2-0). Putting it lightly, the Sharks have been abysmal this season, ranking dead last offensively (1.09 GF / GP) and defensively (4.91 GA / GP). Given the team's horrendous start, Blackwood's .879 SV% through eight games (0-6-1) is somewhat admirable, but until the Sharks prove they can compete with other teams, there is very little optimism for whichever goaltender mans their crease.

Mackenzie Blackwood
Jack Campbell has been placed on waivers for the purpose of assignment.

After 41 unimpressive games with the Oilers over the past two seasons, posting a 3.53 GAA and .886 SV%, the team has placed Campbell on waivers for assignment. The Oilers, who were largely considered to be Stanley Cup contenders to start the season, are off to a dreadful start, winning only two of their first 11 games (2-8-1). The Oilers will likely recall Calvin Pickard from Bakersfield (AHL) once Campbell clears waivers and will turn to Stuart Skinner for starting duties in the interim.

Jack Campbell
Mackenzie Blackwood is expected to start Tuesday vs. Philadelphia.

Blackwood will likely start on Tuesday and attempt to stop the bleeding for the Sharks, who have been dreadfully outscored 20-3 over their past two contests (0-2-0). Putting it lightly, the Sharks have been abysmal this season, ranking dead last offensively (1.09 GF / GP) and defensively (4.91 GA / GP). Given the team's horrendous start, Blackwood's .879 SV% through eight games (0-6-1) is somewhat admirable, but until the Sharks prove they can compete with other teams, there is very little optimism for whichever goaltender mans their crease.

Mackenzie Blackwood

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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