NHL Hockey Player News

Nate Thompson has announced his retirement after 15 NHL seasons.

Thompson announced Thursday that he is bringing an end to his 15-year NHL career which ends with 65 goals, 99 assists, 906 SOG, 401 PIMs and a -67 plus/minus through 844 games played. The 28-year-old was drafted by Boston in the sixth-round of the 2003 NHL Draft (183rd overall) and represented 10 NHL teams throughout his career.

Nate Thompson
Boston has signed Reilly Walsh to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.

Walsh had nine goals, 32 assists, 40 PIMs and a -6 plus/minus through 71 games played with Utica (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 AAV with Boston. The 24-year-old defenseman was a 2017 3rd-round pick to New Jersey (81st overall) and one assist in his only NHL appearance back in 2021-22.

Reilly Walsh
Boston has signed Alec Regula to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.

Regula failed to pick up a point across four NHL games in 2022-23 but was a -3 plus/minus and had four PIMs and has been signed to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 with Boston. The 22-year-old defenseman's rights were acquired by Boston as a piece in the deal which saw Taylor Hall land in Chicago and he brings a goal, 21 SOG and 16 PIMs across 22 career NHL games to the Bruins.

Alec Regula
Boston has signed Michael DiPietro to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.

Dipietro was 19-9-0 with a .918 SV% and 2.61 GAA in 29 games with the Maine Mariners (ECHL) and has signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 with Boston. The 24-year-old netminder was dealt to Boston in October 2022 for Jack Studnicka and has posted a 0-2-0 career NHL record with a 5.25 GAA and .771 SV% in a short three game showing across three seasons from 2018-2022.

Michael DiPietro
Vegas has signed Brett Howden to a two-year, $3.8 million contract extension ($1,900,000 AAV).

Howden had six goals, seven assists, 53 SOG, 55 PIMs and a +5 plus/minus through 54 games with Vegas in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, $3.8 million extension ($1,900,000 AAV). The 25-year-old centre was a 2017 first-round pick (27th overall) and has 31 goals, 82 points and 120 PIMs through 279 career NHL games across five seasons.

Brett Howden
Winnipeg has signed Gabriel Vilardi to a two-year, $6.875 million contract.

Vilardi broke out in 2022-23 with Los Angeles scoring 23 goals, 18 assists, 122 SOG, 18 PIMs and a +10 plus/minus through 63 games and has signed a two-year, $6.875 million contract extension with Winnipeg. The 23-year-old centre was a key piece in the deal which saw Pierre-Luc Dubois head to Los Angeles. Vilardi was a 2017 1st round pick (11th overall) and has 41 goals, 78 points and 247 SOG through 152 career NHL games.

Gabriel Vilardi
Anaheim has signed Noah Warren to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Warren had three goals, 17 assists, 35 PIMs and a +21 plus/minus through 47 games with Gatineau (QMJHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Anaheim Ducks. The 19-year-old defenseman was Anaheim's 2022 second-round pick (42nd overall) and is expected to suit up for Victoriaville (QMJHL) in 2023-24.

Noah Warren
New Jersey has signed Tomas Nosek to a one-year, $1 million contract.

Nosek had seven goals, 11 assists, 69 SOG, 48 PIMs and a +9 plus/minus through 66 games played with Boston in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, $1 million contract with New Jersey. The 30-year-old centre will be joining his fourth NHL team and he has 42 goals, 101 points and 146 PIMs across 398 career games played.

Tomas Nosek
St.Louis has signed Jeremie Biakabutuka to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Biakabutuka had 17 goals, 25 assist, 53 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 56 games played with Charlottetown (QMJHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract after going undrafted in junior. The 21-year-old defenseman appeared in three AHL games with Grand Rapids after his QMJHL season was cut short, and failed to pick up a point but had two PIMs across his short professional showing.

Jeremie Biakabutuka
Dallas Stars have signed Riley Damiani to a one-year, two-way contract.

Damiani had 13 goals, 18 assists, 28 PIMs and a -15 plus/minus through 59 games with Texas (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract extension with Dallas. The 23-year-old centre was a 2018 fifth-round draft pick (137th overall) and has a goal and an assist in seven career NHL games.

Riley Damiani
Detroit has re-signed Gustav Lindstorm to a one-year contract worth $950,000.

Lindstorm had a goal, seven assists, 18 SOG, 20 PIMs and a -16 plus/minus through 36 games played with Detroit in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year contract worth $950,000 AAV. The 24-year-old defensemen was drafted in the second-round of the 2017 NHL Draft (38th overall) and has two goals, and 25 points across 128 career NHL games played.

Gustav Lindstrom
Detroit has signed Nolan Stevens to a one-year, two-way contract.

Stevens had 15 goals, 18 assists, 17 PIMs and a +9 plus/minus through 48 games with Utica (AHL) in 2022-23 and has been signed a one-year, two-way contract by Detroit. The 26-year-old centre was drafted in the fifth-round of the 2016 NHL Draft (125th overall) and has yet to make his NHL debut after six AHL seasons.

Nolan Stevens
Detroit has signed Wyatt Newpower to a one-year, two-way contract.

Newpower had two goals, five assists, 68 PIMs and a -4 plus/minus through 59 games with Grand Rapids (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract extension. The 25-year-old undrafted defensemen is entering his fourth season in the AHL and has yet to make his NHL debut.

Wyatt Newpower
Detroit has signed Jared McIsaac to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.

McIsaac had three goals, 19 assists, 30 PIMs and a -14 plus/minus through 61 games with Grand Rapids (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000. The 23-year-old defenseman was drafted by Detroit in the second-round of the 2018 NHL Draft (36th overall) and has yet to make his NHL debut.

Jared McIsaac
Edmonton has signed Raphael Lavoie to a one-year, two-way contract worth $874,125.

Lavoie had 25 goals, 20 assists, 47 PIMs and a +10 plus/minus through 61 games played with Bakersfield (AHL) in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract extension worth $874,125. The 22-year-old right-wing was Edmonton's 2019 second-round Draft Pick (38th overall) and has yet to make his NHL debut.

Raphael Lavoie
The New York Islanders have signed Jakub Skarek to a two-year, two-way contract.

Skarek was 15-16-3 with a .892 SV% and 3.37 GAA in 2022-23 with Bridgeport (AHL) and has signed a two-year, two-way contract extension with the Islanders. The 23-year-old goaltender was selected by the Islanders in the third-round of the 2018 Draft (72nd overall) and has yet to make his NHL debut after four seasons in the AHL.

Jakub Skarek
Colorado has avoided arbitration and signed Ross Colton to a four-year, $16 million contract ($4,000,000 AAV).

Colton had 16 goals, 16 assist, 153 SOG, 50 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 81 games with Tampa Bay in 2022-23 and has signed a four-year, $16 million contract ($4,000,000 AAV) with Colorado. The 26-year-old centre was acquired for a 2023 second-round pick back in June and brings 47 goals and 83 points across 190 games played to the Avalanche.

Ross Colton
Florida has signed Will Lockwood to a two-year, two-way contract.

Lockwood had an assist, 12 SOG, and a -7 plus/minus through 13 games in 2022-23 with Vancouver and has signed a two-year, two-way contract with the Florida Panthers. The 25-year-old right-winger was a third-round pick by Vancouver in 2016 (64th overall) and has an assist, 28 SOG, and 11 PIMs in 28 career NHL games across three seasons.

William Lockwood
Casey Fitzgerald has signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Florida Panthers.

Fitzgerald had three assists, 13 SOG, four PIMs and a -2 plus/minus through 27 games with both Buffalo and Florida in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000 with the Panthers. The 26-year-old defenseman was acquired off waivers from Buffalo in 2022-23 and has nine assists and a -21 plus/minus through 63 career NHL games.

Casey Fitzgerald
The New York Islanders have signed Oliver Wahlstrom to a one-year, $874,125 contract.

Wahlstrom had seven goals, nine assists, 70 SOG, 32 PIMs and a +5 plus/minus through 35 games with the New York Islanders in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, $874,125 contract extension. The 23-year-old right-winger was the Islanders first-round pick in 2018 (11th overall) and missed majority of last season due to a knee injury. He has 32 goals and 61 points in 161 games played across four NHL seasons.

Oliver Wahlstrom

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!