NHL Hockey Player News

Vladar will start Thursday in Detroit.

Vladar stopped 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%) for his fifth-straight win as he defeated the Seattle Kraken in his previous start. The 25-year-old has turned the Flames starting job into a timeshare with his solid play, as shown by his 11-4-4 record, 2.77 GAA and .904 SV%. He takes on the Detroit Red Wings, who have lost their last two games but are 24th in the NHL in goals per game (2.98).

Dan Vladar
Stuart Skinner will start Thursday vs. Philadelphia.

Skinner allowed three goals on 27 shots (.889 SV%) for his first loss in three starts as he was surprisingly defeated by Columbus in his previous start. The 24-year-old Edmonton native was a first time NHL all-star over the weekend, due to his 13-10-3 record, 2.92 GAA and .914 SV%. He takes on the Philadelphia Flyers, who have lost four of their last five games after a 2-1 loss to the New York Islanders last game.

Stuart Skinner
Vladar is in the starter's crease at the Flames morning skate.

Vladar stopped 28 of 30 shots (.933 SV%) for his fifth-straight win as he defeated the Seattle Kraken in his previous start. The 25-year-old has turned the Flames starting job into a timeshare with his solid play, as shown by his 11-4-4 record, 2.77 GAA and .904 SV%. He takes on the Detroit Red Wings, who have lost their last two games but are 24th in the NHL in goals per game (2.98).

Dan Vladar
Hughes is out week-to-week with an upper-body injury.

Hughes was having a phenomenal season with 35 goals, 67 points, 229 SOG, and a +15 plus/minus through 50 games played but will miss weeks due to an upper-body injury. It is an unfortunate loss for the fourth year star as he has never played more than 61 games in a season in his career.

Jack Hughes
Kubalik will be a healthy scratch on Thursday.

Kubalik has 14 goals, 20 assists, 118 SOG, 12 PIMs and a -9 plus/minus through 49 games with the Red Wings this season but will be a healthy scratch Thursday. Kubalik has found himself slipping down the Wings' lineup after starting his Detroit tenure incredibly hot with 25 points (10G/15A) through his first 25 games.

Dominik Kubalik
Zadina (leg) will be back in the Red Wings lineup on Thursday.

It will be Zadina's first NHL game since November 5th. He was recently recalled from his conditioning stint, where he scored one goal in two games with the Grand Rapids Griffins. Zadina failed to record a point in his first nine NHL games this season.

Filip Zadina
Kahkonen will start Thursday in Florida.

Kahkonen allowed three goals on 37 shots (.919 SV%) for his second-straight victory as he topped the Tampa Bay Lightning in his last start. The 26-year-old Sharks backup will be hoping his recent run of success can continue as he has a horrendous .874 SV%, 3.84 GAA and 7-9-4 record. He draws the Florida Panthers, who have won their last two games and are tops in the NHL in shots per game (35.9).

Kaapo Kahkonen
Blackwood was the first goalie off the ice at the Devils' morning skate.

Blackwood allowed five goals on 40 shots (.875 SV%) for his fourth loss in five games as he was defeated by Nashville in his previous start. The Devils' backup net minder has been shaken when called up this season, with his 6-4-2 record, 3.21 GAA and .894 SV%. He takes on the Seattle Kraken, who are coming off a 4-0 shutout loss to the New York Islanders but are fifth in the NHL in goals per game (3.54).

Mackenzie Blackwood
Andersson was struck by a vehicle while riding a scooter in Detroit on Wednesday and is considered day-to-day.

Andersson was riding a scooter to dinner on Wednesday when he was struck by a car in Detroit. He was taken to a local hospital for a full battery of tests before being released last night. The Flames say that Andersson will remain with the team and is listed as day-to-day.

Rasmus Andersson
Vasilevskiy will start Thursday vs. the Avalanche.

Vasilevskiy allowed seven goals on 49 shots (.857 SV%) as he was peppered in his previous start, ending a three-game winning streak as he lost 7-1 to Florida. It has been another successful season for the goaltender who has led the NHL in wins the last five seasons, with his 23-13-1 record, 2.63 GAA, and .916 SV%. He takes on the Colorado Avalanche, who lost their last game 2-1 vs. Pittsburgh in overtime but have won seven of their last nine games.

Andrei Vasilevskiy
The Kraken have recalled John Hayden from Coachella Valley (AHL).

Hayden has 13 goals, 12 assists, 51 PIMs and a +6 plus/minus through 36 games with Coachella Valley (AHL) and has been recalled on Thursday for the second time this season. In Hayden's previous stint with Seattle this season, he had one goal, four SOG and a +1 plus/minus through three games and 8:02 TOI.

John Hayden
The Kraken have activated Justin Schultz (undisclosed) from IR.

Schultz last played on January 17th due to an undisclosed injury and has been activated off the injured reserve Thursday. The 32-year-old will make a welcome return as he had five goals, 19 assists, 59 SOG, 28 PIMs and a +7 plus/minus through 42 games prior to his injury.

Justin Schultz
The Kraken have placed Andre Burakovsky (lower-body) on IR.

Burakovsky left Seattle's previous game vs. the Islanders after just one shift and 0:21 TOI due to a lower-body injury and has been placed on the injured-reserve Thursday. The 28-year-old left winger had 13 goals, 26 assists, 105 SOG, 14 PIMs and a -9 plus/minus in 49 games in his first season with the Kraken.

Andre Burakovsky
Sorokin will start Thursday vs. the Canucks.

Sorokin was perfect, stopping all 32 of 32 shots for his second straight shutout as he defeated the high-scoring Seattle Kraken in his last start. The 27-year-old may have a near .500 record with his 17-16-4 record, but has a top-five SV% with his .926 SV% and impressive 2.31 GAA. He takes on the Vancouver Canucks, who have lost three of their last four under new coach Rick Tocchet after a 4-3 loss to the New York Rangers last game.

Ilya Sorokin
Barkov (hand) will not play Thursday vs. the Sharks.

Barkov has 14 goals, 47 points, 128 SOG, and a +5 plus/minus through 43 games played but will miss Thursday's matchup vs. San Jose due to a hand injury. Barkov is considered day-to-day for the time being as this is not the first time we have seen him miss time this season.

Aleksander Barkov
Bobrovsky will start Thursday vs. the Sharks.

Bobrovsky was fantastic in his previous start, stopping 32 of 33 shots (.970) for his first win in three starts as he beat the Tampa Bay Lightning 7-1. It has been an down year for the 34-year-old one-time Vezina Trophy winner, with his 13-13-2 record, 3.17 GAA and .900 SV%. He takes on the San Jose Sharks, who have won their last two games but are 19th in the NHL in goals per game (3.08).

Sergei Bobrovsky

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.

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