NHL Hockey Player News

The Red Wings have acquired Craig Smith and Petr Mrazek from the Blackhawks for Joe Veleno.

Smith has been traded to the Red Wings, joining his fifth club in the past three seasons. The 35-year-old veteran forward had 16 points (9G / 7A) and averaged 11:39 time-on-ice in 40 games with the Blackhawks this season.

Craig Smith
The Red Wings have acquired Petr Mrazek and Craig Smith from the Blackhawks for Joe Veleno.

Mrazek began his career in Detroit and will return to the Red Wings after being acquired in a trade on Friday. The 33-year-old Mrazek has a 3.46 GAA and .890 SV% in 33 appearances this season (10-19-2). He has one year remaining on his contract with a cap hit of $4.25 million.

Petr Mrazek
Dostal will start vs. St. Louis on Friday.

The Ducks will turn to Dostal between the pipes on Friday against the St. Louis Blues. Dostal entered Wednesday's 3-2 loss to the Vancouver Canucks in relief of an injured John Gibson (lower body), saving 14 of 15 shots (.933 SV%) in the effort. The 24-year-old Czech goalie has a 2.87 GAA and .911 SV% in 38 games this season (18-15-5). The Ducks enter Friday's contest as +137 home underdogs against a Blues squad with points in seven of their last eight (6-1-1).

Lukas Dostal
Vejmelka will start in Chicago on Friday.

Utah HC has won four of their last five (1-4-0) and will roll with Vejmelka between the pipes on Friday against the Chicago Blackhawks. Vejmelka was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 38 of 40 shots (.950 SV%) in a 4-2 win over the Detroit Red Wings. The Czech netminder has a 2.44 GAA and .912 SV% in 39 appearances this season (17-16-4). Utah enters Friday's contest as -163 road favorites against a Chicago team with points in three straight (2-0-1).

Karel Vejmelka
Khusnutdinov is available and ready to make his Bruins' debut on Saturday in Tampa Bay.

Jakub Lauko was acquired along with Marat Khusnutdinov and a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Boston Bruins for Justin Brazeau. The 22-year-old Khusnutdinov averaged 11:14 time-on-ice and scored seven points (2G / 5A) in 57 games with Minnesota this season.

Marat Khusnutdinov
Lauko is available and expected to play on Saturday in Tampa Bay.

Jakub Lauko was acquired along with Marat Khusnutdinov and a 2026 sixth-round pick from the Boston Bruins for Justin Brazeau. The 24-year-old Lauko scored six points (3G / 3A) and averaged 10:03 time-on-ice in 38 games with Minnesota this season.

Jakub Lauko
The Hurricanes have acquired Logan Stankoven, a 2026 1st Round Pick, a 2027 1st Round Pick, a 2026 3rd Round Pick and a 2027 3rd Round Pick from the Stars for Mikko Rantanen.

Stankoven is the main piece returning to Carolina in a trade sending Mikko Rantanen to the Dallas Stars after a brief 13-game stint with the Hurricanes. The 22-year-old Stankoven was the 47th overall pick of the Stars in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. Stankoven will likely get better deployment than he did in Dallas, where he was often seeing third-line minutes. He scored 29 points (9G / 20A) and averaged 15:06 time-on-ice in 59 games with Dallas this season.

Logan Stankoven
The Stars have acquired Mikko Rantanen from the Hurricanes for Logan Stankoven, a 2026 1st Round Pick, a 2027 1st Round Pick, a 2026 3rd Round Pick and a 2027 3rd Round Pick.

After a short 13-game stint in Carolina, scoring only six points (2G / 4A), the Hurricanes have flipped Rantanen to the Dallas Stars in exchange for Logan Stankoven and several high-end draft picks. The 28-year-old superstar forward is coming off consecutive 100+ point seasons in Colorado and instantly makes the Dallas Stars a Stanley Cup favorites. Rantanen is poised to suit up on the Stars' top line with Jason Robertson and Roope Hintz.

Mikko Rantanen
The Flyers have acquired Grebenkin and a conditional 2027 1st round pick from the Maple Leafs for Scott Laughton, a 2025 4th round pick and a 2027 6th round pick.

Grebenkin was a fifth-round pick, 135th overall, of the Maple Leafs in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old forward made his NHL debut this season, scoring zero points in seven games, but has been much more productive at the AHL level, scoring 21 points (9G / 12A) in 39 games with the Toronto Marlies.

Nikita Grebenkin
The Maple Leafs have acquired Scott Laughton, a 2025 4th round pick and a 2027 6th round pick from the Flyers for Nikita Grebenkin and a conditional 2027 1st round pick.

The Flyers have retained 50% of Laughton's contract in a trade sending him to the Maple Leafs. Laughton adds some depth down the middle of the ice for the Maple Leafs, providing some grit and timely offensive contributions. The 30 year-old Laughton registered 27 points (11G / 16A), 33 blocks, and 129 hits in 60 games with the Flyers this season.

Scott Laughton
The Jets have acquired Luke Schenn from the Penguins for a 2026 2nd Round Pick and 2027 4th Round Pick.

The Pittsburgh Penguins acquired Schenn in a trade from the Nashville Predators earlier this week and have immediately flipped him to the Winnipeg Jets. The Predators signed Schenn to a three-year contract with an AAV of $2.75-million ahead of the 2023-24 season. The 35-year-old defenseman registered five points (1G / 4A), 76 blocks, and 228 hits in 61 games this season.

Luke Schenn
Kleven (lower-body) has a chance to return on Saturday vs. New York after practicing on Friday.

Kleven has not played since February 26th due to a lower-body injury but could return to the lineup on Saturday. The 23-year-old Kleven is averaging 14:19 time-on-ice, recording four points (2G / 2A), 76 blocks, and 70 hits in 58 games this season.

Tyler Kleven
The Sabres have acquired Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker from the Senators for Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert and a 2026 2nd Round Pick.

Norris was on a roll in his final games as an Ottawa Senators, scoring six points (3G / 3A) in his final five games. The 25-year-old Norris has battled injuries issues over the previous few seasons but has been productive when he is healthy. Norris will likely fit into the top-six on Buffalo's roster, effectively taking over the role of Dylan Cozens.

Josh Norris
The Senators have acquired Dennis Gilbert, Dylan Cozens and a 2026 2nd Round Pick from the Sabres for Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker.

Gilbert has only played 25 games this season, averaging 10:04 time-on-ice, but will add needed depth the the Senators blueline. The 28-year-old defenseman has five points (0G / 5A), 29 blocks, and 52 hits this season.

Dennis Gilbert
The Senators have acquired Dylan Cozens, Dennis Gilbert and a 2026 2nd Round Pick from the Sabres for Josh Norris and Jacob Bernard-Docker.

After a breakout 2022-23 season, scoring 68 points (31G / 37A) in 81 games, Cozens has not lived up to expectations in Buffalo, scoring only 78 points (29G / 49A) in 140 games in two seasons since. The 23-year-old Cozens will get the opportunity to re-establish his game in Ottawa with a group of talented young forwards. Cozens will likely take Josh Norris' former spot on Ottawa's top line, playing between David Perron and Drake Batherson.

Dylan Cozens
The Kings have acquired Andrei Kuzmenko and a 2025 7th Round Pick from the Flyers for a 2027 3rd Round Pick.

Kuzmenko began the season with the Calgary Flames, was traded to the Philadelphia Flyers, and has now been dealt to the Los Angeles Kings for a 2027 third-round pick. The Flyers are retaining 50% of Kuzmenko's contract. The impending UFA only had 15 points (4G / 11A) in 37 games with the Flames this season but was much more productive after joining the Flyers, scoring five points (2G / 3A) in seven outings.

Andrei Kuzmenko

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!