NHL Hockey Player News

The Golden Knights have acquired Reilly Smith from the Rangers for Brendan Brisson and a 2025 3rd Round Pick.

Smith was held out of the Rangers lineup for their previous few games as they anticipated trading the impending UFA, a move that came to fruition on Thursday, sending him to his former club, the Golden Knights. The 33-year-old Smith averaged 15:36 time-on-ice and scored 29 points (10G / 19A) in 58 games with the Rangers this season.

Reilly Smith
Wood appears to be a healthy scratch on Thursday vs. San Jose.

With Jimmy Vesey making his Colorado debut on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks, Wood will be the odd-man out of the lineup as a healthy scratch. The 29-year-old Wood is averaging 11:22 time-on-ice and has four points (2G / 2A) in 28 games this season.

Miles Wood
Malinski will be a healthy scratch vs. San Jose on Thursday.

With Josh Manson returning from injury and Keaton Middleton drawing back into the lineup, Oliver Kylington and Sam Malinski will be healthy scratches on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 26-year-old Malinski is averaging 15:30 time-on-ice and has seven points (2G / 5A) in 59 games this season.

Sam Malinski
Kylington will be a healthy scratch on Thursday vs. San Jose.

With Josh Manson returning from injury and Keaton Middleton drawing back into the lineup, Oliver Kylington and Sam Malinski will be healthy scratches on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 27-year-old Kylington is averaging 12:59 time-on-ice and has four points (1G / 3A) in 13 games with Colorado this season.

Oliver Kylington
Hamilton (lower-body) is out on Friday vs. Winnipeg and is still being evaluated.

Hamilton was limited to only 5:15 time-on-ice in Tuesday's 4-3 loss to the Dallas Stars, exiting the contest in the first period due to a lower-body injury. Hamilton has 40 points (9G / 31A) in 63 games, including 15 points on the powerplay. After Hamilton left the game on Tuesday, Luke Hughes occupied his spot on New Jersey's top powerplay unit.

Dougie Hamilton
Vejmelka will start Thursday in Detroit.

Fresh off a five-year, $4.75M AAV contract extension, Vejmelka will be between the pipes on Thursday against the Detroit Red Wings. Vejmelka allowed three goals on 29 shots (.897 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils. The 28-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.45 GAA and .910 SV% in 38 games this season (16-16-4). Utah HC enters the action on Thursday as -132 road favorites against a Red Wings club amid a three-game losing skid (0-3-0).

Karel Vejmelka
St. Louis has signed Colten Ellis to a two-year, two-way contract extension.

Ellis was a third-round pick, 93rd overall, of the Blues in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old goalie has yet to play an NHL game but has had an impressive season in the AHL, posting a 2.41 GAA and .926 SV% in 31 games (19-7-3) with the Springfield Thunderbirds.

The Panthers have acquired Nico Sturm and a 2027 7th Round Pick from the Sharks for a 2026 4th Round Pick.

The acquisition of Sturm will add some depth to the Panthers' bottom-six forward group. The 29-year-old Sturm averaged 10:08 time-on-ice and scored 13 points (7G / 6A) in 47 games with the Sharks this season.

Nico Sturm
The Ducks have acquired Herman Traff and a 2025 conditional 2nd Round Pick from the Devils for Brian Dumoulin.

Traff was a third-round pick, 91st overall, of the Devils in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old forward has yet to play and NHL game. He scored seven points (3G / 4A) in 25 games with HV7a Jonkoping (SweHL) this season.

Herman Träff
The Devils have acquired Brian Dumoulin from the Ducks for Herman Traff and a 2025 conditional 2nd Round Pick.

Dumoulin will add some defensive depth and Stanley Cup pedigree to the Devils blueline. The 33-year-old defenseman averaged 19:48 time-on-ice and scored 16 points (2G / 14A) through 61 games with the Ducks this season.

Brian Dumoulin
Utah has signed Cameron Hebig to a one-year, two-way contract through the rest of the 2024-25 season.

Hebig an undrafted 28-year-old forward that has yet to play an NHL game. He has spent most of the previous seven seasons in the AHL, including scoring 37 points (20G / 17A) in 48 games with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL) this season.

Cameron Hebig
Montembeault will start in Edmonton on Thursday.

The Canadiens have won five straight, continuing their push for a Wild Card spot in the Eastern Conference, and will turn to Montembeault between the pipes on Thursday against the Edmonton Oilers. Montembeault was solid in his most recent outing, saving 33 of 36 shots (.917 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime win over the Buffalo Sabres. The 28-year-old Montembeault has only allowed eight goals in his last four games (4-0-0), posting a solid .927 SV%. The Canadiens enter Thursday's contest as sizeable +205 road underdogs against an Oilers squad that has lost six of their previous seven games (1-6-0).

Sam Montembeault
Foligno (back) will return to Chicago's lineup vs. Utah on Friday.

Foligno exited last Thursday's 7-5 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights after only 6:40 time-on-ice due to a back injury and has not played since, but will return to the lineup on Friday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 37-year-old Foligno is averaging 16:14 time-on-ice and has 26 points (12G / 14A) in 58 games this season.

Nick Foligno
Vesey will make his Avalanche debut vs. San Jose on Thursday.

Colorado acquired Vesey in a trade from the New York Rangers last week and he will suit up for his team debut on Thursday against the San Jose Sharks. The 31-year-old Vesey averaged 10:40 time-on-ice and scored six points (4G / 2A) in 33 games with the Rangers this season.

Jimmy Vesey
Stecher will draw back into Edmonton's lineup on Thursday vs. Montreal.

With John Klingberg (undisclosed) and Mattias Ekholm (illness) out of the lineup on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens, Troy Stecher will re-enter the lineup. The 30-year-old Stecher is averaging 13:48 time-on-ice and has six points (3G / 3A) in 47 games this season.

Troy Stecher
Skinner will be a healthy scratch vs. Montreal on Thursday.

Skinner has regularly been in and out of the Oilers' lineup lately, and will return to the sidelines as a healthy scratch on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens. The 32-year-old Skinner is averaging 12:28 time-on-ice and has 21 points (11G / 10A) in 53 games this season.

Jeff Skinner
Dineen will make his season debut on Thursday vs. Montreal.

With John Klingberg (undisclosed) and Mattias Ekholm (illness) out of the lineup on Thursday against the Montreal Canadiens, Dineen will enter the lineup for his season debut. The 26-year-old defenseman has played 34 career NHL games, all in the 2021-22 season with the Arizona Coyotes. He has 29 points (5G / 24A) in 45 games with the Bakersfield Condors this season.

Cam Dineen

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!