NHL Hockey Player News

Dylan Larkin (upper body) missed practice and is questionable to play Tuesday vs. the New York Rangers.

Larkin has played all 12 games for the Red Wings this season but his status is questionable for Tuesday after missing practice on Monday with an upper-body injury. Larkin is averaging 19:50 time-on-ice, has 17 points (5G / 12A), and 41 shots on goal.

Dylan Larkin
Nicklas Backstrom (hip) is unlikely to play again during the 2023-24 season.

Last week, Backstrom announced he would "step away from the game" indefinitely as he takes time to focus on his health. In 2022, Backstrom had hip resurfacing surgery that forced him to miss the majority of the 2022-23 season. The 35-year-old Sweedish center iceman has played 1105 career games, all with the Washington Capitals, registering 1033 points (271G / 762A), but has only scored 22 points (7G / 15A) in 47 games since his surgery, a 0.47 point-per-game pace, down significantly from the 0.96 pace he had prior.

Nicklas Backstrom
Sergei Bobrovsky will start Monday vs. Columbus.

Bobrovsky will return to the crease on Monday to face his former team, the Columbus Blue Jackets. In his most recent game, Bobrovsky saved all 22 shots he faced for his first shutout of the season and is in the midst of a six-game run (4-1-1) that has seen him post a 2.16 GAA and .925 SV%. The Panthers are heavy -219 home favourites on Monday as the Blue Jackets have lost five of their last six games (1-3-2) and have been very poor offensively all season, averaging only 2.55 goals per game.

Sergei Bobrovsky
David Jiricek will be a healthy scratch Monday vs. Florida.

Jiricek will watch the Blue Jackets' matchup against the Panthers from the press box on Monday as he will be a healthy scratch after playing 10 consecutive games. The 19-year-old Czech defenceman registered three points (1G / 2A) and 12 blocks while averaging a conservative 13:34 time-on-ice.

David Jiricek
Andrew Peeke will draw back into the Blue Jackets' lineup vs. Florida.

Peeke will play his second game of the season for the Blue Jackets as David Jiricek is expected to be a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Peeke was a regular in the Blue Jackets lineup the last two seasons, playing 162 games and tallying 28 points (8G / 20A). He skated next to Ivan Provorov at practice on the Blue Jackets' second defensive pairing.

Andrew Peeke
Jake Oettinger was the first goalie off the ice at Dallas' morning skate.

Oettinger appears to be the starter for the Stars on Monday after suffering his first regulation loss of the season on Saturday, a 2-0 loss at the hands of the Vancouver Canucks. Loss aside, Oettinger has been reliable and consistent, giving the Stars a chance to win every night, sporting a 1.97 GAA and .938 SV% through seven games (5-1-1). Oettinger and the Stars will be challenged on Monday by the Eastern Conference-leading Boston Bruins, who are off to a blistering 9-1-1 start, outscoring opponents 35-21. That said, the Stars are -141 home favourites in what should be a low-scoring game between two of the top five defensive teams in the league.

Jake Oettinger
Elvis Merzlikins will start Monday vs. Florida.

Merzlikins will start against the Florida Panthers on Monday, marking his fourth consecutive start for the Blue Jackets and seventh in their last eight games. Merzlikins is coming off back-to-back solid performances (1-1-0) in which he saved 52 of 56 shots on what has otherwise been a very inconsistent season. The Blue Jackets have struggled as a whole, ranking 28th offensively (2.55 GF / GP), leaving very little room for error for their netminders. As such, the Blue Jackets are +194 road underdogs against a Panthers team that is coming off a 5-2 loss at the hands of the Chicago Blackhawks.

Elvis Merzlikins
Marc-Andre Fleury will start Tuesday vs. the New York Islanders.

Fleury picked up the rare relief win in the Wild's previous game after coming in to stop 13 of 14 shots (.929 SV%) in the first period vs. the Rangers and will take on the Islanders on Tuesday. The 38-year-old has had a disappointing start to his campaign, as he is 2-2-21 with a .892 SV% and 2.83 GAA. He will head to Long Island Tuesday to take on New York, who has struggled offensively placing 23rd in the NHL in goals per game (2.7) and 18th in shots per game (30.9).

Marc-Andre Fleury
Adam Ruzicka (shoulder) was a full participant in practice Monday and is questionable to return Tuesday vs. Nashville.

Ruzicka has missed the last four games with a shoulder injury but was a full participant at practice Monday, skating alongside A.J. Greer and Walker Duehr. The 24-year-old Slovak was off to a solid start this season, recording four points (2G / 2A) in seven games.

Adam Ruzicka
Evgeny Kuznetsov (illness) missed practice Monday and is questionable to play Wednesday vs. Florida.

Kuznetsov is dealing with an illness that kept him out of practice on Monday and is uncertain for the Capitals Wednesday night matchup against the Florida Panthers. Over his last seven games, Kuznetsov has seen a huge uptick in ice time, averaging 23:12 and scoring five points (1G / 4A) while firing 21 shots on goal.

Evgeny Kuznetsov
Jonas Johansson was the first goalie off the ice at Tampa Bay's morning skate.

Johansson has been a workhorse for the Lightning with Andrei Vasilevskiy sidelined, starting nine of 11 games thus far, and appears to be the starter on Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Expectations were low for Johansson coming into the season with a career average of 3.35 GAA and .886 SV% but has been a marvel between the pipes for the Lightning, posting a 2.87 GAA and .916 SV% in nine games (5-1-3). Johansson was busy in his only other matchup against the Maple Leafs this season, saving 48 of 52 shots in a 4-3 overtime loss on October 21st. The Lightning are +138 road underdogs against a Maple Leafs team that has lost four consecutive games (0-2-2), being outscored 16-9.

Jonas Johansson
Joel Hanley is expected to draw back into the Stars' lineup Monday vs. Boston.

Hanley is expected to dress as the Stars' seventh defenseman as he anticipates to make his season debut on Monday against the Boston Bruins. Hanley has become a reliable depth defenseman when called upon by the Stars, playing 129 games over the past five seasons, scoring 18 points (2G / 16A), 125 blocks, and 143 hits.

Joel Hanley
Scott Mayfield (maintenance) missed practice and will be a game-time decision Tuesday vs. Minnesota.

Mayfield just recently worked his way back into the lineup, playing two consecutive games, after missing seven straight with a lower-body injury. He did not participate in practice on Monday and will be a game-time decision against the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday. Mayfield has one point (0G / 1A), five shots, five hits, and 13 blocks while averaging 19:27 time-on-ice through three games.

Scott Mayfield
Adam Pelech (lower body) is expected to return to the Islanders' lineup Tuesday but is still a game-time decision.

Pelech did not play on Saturday because of a lower-body injury but appears likely to return to the Islanders lineup on Tuesday. His status will be confirmed closer to the puck drop. 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
Bo Horvat (undisclosed) is day-to-day and will be a game-time decision Tuesday vs. Minnesota.

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

Bo Horvat
Mathieu Olivier is expected to draw back in the Blue Jackets' lineup Monday vs. Florida.

Olivier will likely slot back into the Blue Jackets' lineup as Emil Bemstrom is expected to be a healthy scratch. Olivier hasn't played since October 30th, but has six games under his belt this season, recording two points (0G / 2A) while averaging 9:12 time-on-ice. He is expected to skate on the third line with Yegor Chinakhov and Cole Sillinger.

Mathieu Olivier
Duchene (upper-body) is day-to-day and will miss Monday vs. Boston.

Duchene left Saturday's game in Vancouver with an upper-body injury after a high hit from Ian Cole and will not dress Monday. Duchene is considered day-to-day and is expecting Joel Hanley to be dressed as at the seventh defenseman or the Stars will have to recall a forward from the AHL for Monday.

Matt Duchene
Brett Pesce (lower body) returned to practice in a non-contact sweater for the first time since October 19th.

Pesce, who has missed the Hurricanes' last seven games with a lower-body injury, participated at practice on Monday in a non-contact jersey. His presence at practice is an encouraging sign for the Hurricanes, though his actual return to the lineup will be dependent on when he is cleared for contact. Pesce has two points (1G / 1A) in five games this season.

Brett Pesce

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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