NHL Hockey Player News

The Coyotes have acquired Nathan Smith and Bryan Little from the Jets for a fourth-round draft pick.

Smith was a third-round pick in 2018 but was not planning on signing in Winnipeg. The 23-year-old had 18 goals and 31 assists (49 points) in 34 games with Minnesota State University this season.

Nathan Smith
The Coyotes have acquired Bryan Little and Nathan Smith from the Jets for a fourth-round draft pick.

Little is on LTIR and has two years left with a $5.291M AAV cap hit. The move doesn't change anything for the Jets this season but provides them some cap flexibility for the next two seasons. For the Coyotes, it will help them stay cap compliant down the road.

Bryan Little
The Bruins have signed Jake DeBrusk to a two-year contract extension worth $8.0 million ($4.0M AAV).

DeBrusk was set to become an RFA this summer but signs a two-year extension with the Bruins. DeBrusk asked for a trade earlier in the season, so this could be a sign-and-trade scenario. He has found his game since being promoted to the top line, scoring eight goals with three assists (11 points) in his last 14 games.

Jake DeBrusk
The Coyotes have acquired Jack McBain from the Wild for a 2022 second-round pick.

McBain was a third-round pick of the Wild in 2018 but his agent informed the Wild earlier this month that he planned to become a free agent this summer rather than sign with Minnesota. McBain led Boston College with 33 points (19G / 14A) in 24 games this season.

Jack McBain
The Senators have signed Anton Forsberg to a three-year contract extension worth $8.25 million ($2.75M AAV).

Forsberg has enjoyed a breakout season in Ottawa, going 14-12-2 with a 2.77 GAA and .918 SV% in 31 games (29 starts). Forsberg signing a three-year extension means the Senators will have a goaltending tandem of Forsberg and Matt Murray for the next two seasons.

Anton Forsberg
The Coyotes have signed Karel Vejmelka to a three-year contract extension worth $8.175 million ($2.725M AAV).

Vejmelka came over from the Czech League and has played well for the Coyotes this season, going 10-23-1 with a 3.35 GAA and .905 SV% behind one of the league's worst clubs. With Scott Wedgewood getting traded to Dallas on Sunday, Vejmelka is the unquestioned No.1 netminder in Arizona moving forward. His three-year extension will keep him with the team the 2024-25 season.

Karel Vejmelka

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!