NHL Hockey Player News

Karel Vejmelka(G)|UTA
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Vejmelka was the first goalie off the ice at Utah's morning skate.

Utah HC has points in four straight (2-0-2) and will likely turn to Vejmelka between the pipes on Friday against the Seattle Kraken. Vejmelka was solid in his most recent outing, saving 19 of 21 shots (.905 SV%) in a 3-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks. The 28-year-old Czech goalie has a 2.47 GAA and .909 SV% in 42 appearances this season (18-16-6). Utah enters the action on Friday as -149 road favorites against a Seattle team coming off a 5-4 overtime win over the Montreal Canadiens.

Source:
Cole Bagley 2025-03-14T19:03:39.258Z
Karel Vejmelka
Tyler Myers(D)|VAN
Injury
Injury
Myers (undisclosed) practiced on Friday after missing Vancouver's previous game and is probable to return on Saturday vs. Chicago.

Myers was a surprise scratch on Wednesday, with the Canucks not announcing his absence prior to warmups. The 35-year-old Myers is averaging 20:47 time-on-ice and has 21 points (4G / 17A) in 61 games this season.

Source:
Ben Kuzma 2025-03-14T19:49:55.521Z
Tyler Myers
Michael Bunting(LW)|NSH
Injury
Injury
Bunting (appendix) is a game-time decision in Anaheim on Friday.

Bunting was acquired by the Predators in a trade from the Pittsburgh Penguins before the deadline last week and could finally make his debut with the team as he approaches his return from an appendectomy. The 29-year-old Bunting had 29 points (14G / 15A) and a -18 plus/minus rating in 58 games with Pittsburgh this season.

Source:
Brooks Bratten 2025-03-14T18:45:13.567Z
Michael Bunting
Thatcher Demko(G)|VAN
Injury
Injury
Demko (lower-body) returned to practice with Vancouver on Friday.

Demko has not played since February 8th due to a lower-body injury but appears to be progressing towards a return after participating at practice on Friday. The 29-year-old Demko was performing at a high level before his injury, posting a 1.21 GAA and .955 SV% in his previous five appearances (3-1-0).

Source:
Jeff Paterson 2025-03-14T18:40:29.704Z
Thatcher Demko
Sam Malinski(D)|COL
Line Change
Line Change
Malinski will be a healthy scratch in Calgary on Friday.

Erik Johnson will draw back into Colorado's lineup on Friday against the Calgary Flames, sending Malinski to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Malinski is averaging 15:30 time-on-ice and has nine points (2G / 7A) in 61 games this season.

Source:
Evan Rawal 2025-03-14T18:38:03.008Z
Sam Malinski
Erik Johnson(D)|COL
Line Change
Line Change
Johnson will draw back into Colorado's lineup on Friday in Calgary.

Sam Malinski will be a healthy scratch on Friday against the Calgary Flames, allowing Johnson to re-enter the lineup. The 36-year-old Johnson made his season debut with the Avalanche earlier this week, playing 12:01 time-on-ice and recording three hits.

Source:
Evan Rawal 2025-03-14T18:37:17.576Z
Erik Johnson
Scott Wedgewood(G)|COL
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Wedgewood will start in Calgary on Friday.

With Mackenzie Blackwood battling an illness, Wedgewood will tend the twine for Colorado for the second time in their past three games. Wedgewood was excellent in his most recent outing, saving all 20 shots he faced in a 3-0 win over the Chicago Blackhawks for his second shutout of the season. The 32-year-old Wedgewood has an impressive 2.03 GAA and .922 SV% in 12 appearances with Colorado this season (7-4-0). Colorado enters the action on Friday as -203 road favorites against a Calgary Flames team with points in five straight (2-0-3).

Source:
Evan Rawal 2025-03-14T18:18:00.341Z
Scott Wedgewood
Lukas Dostal(G)|ANA
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Dostal was the first goalie off the ice at Anaheim's morning skate.

The Ducks have lost two straight and will likely turn to Dostal between the pipes on Friday against the Nashville Predators. The 24-year-old Czech netminder struggled in his most recent outing, allowing six goals on 42 shots (.857 SV%) in a 7-4 loss to the Washington Capitals. He has a 2.91 GAA and .910 SV% in 41 games this season (19-7-5). The Ducks enter Friday's contest as +140 home underdogs against a Predators team riding a four-game winning streak.

Source:
Derek Lee 2025-03-14T18:06:39.527Z
Lukas Dostal
Joel Armia(RW)|MON
Injury
Injury
Armia (upper-body) is expected to be available to return vs. Florida on Saturday.

Armia was a late scratch before Wednesday's game due to an upper-body injury, but will likely return to the lineup on Saturday against the Florida Panthers. The 31-year-old Armia is averaging 14:42 time-on-ice and has 25 points (11G / 14A) in 64 games this season.

Source:
Eric Engels 2025-03-14T18:04:39.973Z
Joel Armia
Sam Montembeault(G)|MON
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Montembeault will start vs. Florida on Saturday.

The Canadiens have points in eight of their last nine games (6-1-2) and will turn to Montembeault between the pipes on Saturday against the Florida Panthers. The 28-year-old Montembeault was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 29 of 31 shots in a 4-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks. He has a 2.87 GAA and .900 SV% in 48 games this season (23-21-4).

Source:
Anthony Martineau 2025-03-14T18:03:22.591Z
Sam Montembeault
Erik Haula(LW)|NJD
Line Change
Line Change
Haula will be a healthy scratch in Pittsburgh on Saturday.

Haula is coming off a serviceable outing for the Devils, recording one assist in 12:42 time-on-ice in their 3-2 win over the Edmonton Oilers, but will be a healthy scratch on Saturday against the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 33-year-old Haula has 14 points (6G / 8A) in 55 games this season.

Source:
Kristy Flannery 2025-03-14T18:01:24.824Z
Erik Haula
Philipp Grubauer(G)|SEA
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Grubauer was the first goalie off the ice at Seattle's morning skate.

Grubauer was excellent in his previous outing, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Philadelphia Flyers last week. He will likely return to the crease on Friday against the Utah Hockey Club. Success has evaded the 33-year-old Grubauer since joining Seattle several seasons ago. He owns an ugly 3.69 GAA and .870 SV% through 22 games with the Kraken this season (6-15-1). Seattle enters the action on Friday as +134 home underdogs against a Utah team with points in four straight games (2-0-2).

Source:
Mike Benton 2025-03-14T18:00:15.797Z
Philipp Grubauer
Nikita Kucherov(RW)|TBL
Injury
Injury
Kucherov practiced on Friday after missing Thursday's game due to illness.

Kucherov has missed the last four periods of hockey for Tampa Bay due to an illness but appears to be ready to return to the lineup after practicing with the team on Friday. The 31-year-old Kucherov remains among the league leaders with 92 points (28G / 64A) in 61 games this season. That said, the elite forward has been held off the scoresheet in two straight games for only the second time this season.

Source:
Gabby Shirley 2025-03-14T17:24:38.266Z
Nikita Kucherov
Adam Klapka(RW)|CAL
Line Change
Line Change
Klapka will draw back into Calgary's lineup vs. Colorado on Friday.

Klapka has only played one game for the Flames in the last month but will re-enter the lineup on Friday against the Colorado Avalanche, filling in for an injured Mikael Backlund (upper body). The 24-year-old Klapka is averaging 8:10 time-on-ice and has one point (1G / 0A) in 13 games this season.

Source:
Pat Steinberg 2025-03-14T17:23:48.180Z
Adam Klapka

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!