NHL Hockey Player News

Nikita Nesterov(D)|FA
Signing
Signing
The Flames signed Nikita Nesterov to a one-year deal worth $700K.

Nesterov was originally a fifth-round pick of the Lightning back in 2011. He spent four seasons in North America, including parts of three seasons in the NHL before returning to Russia and playing in the KHL from 2018-to-2020. Nesterov had 23 points (7G / 16A) in 53 games with CSKA Moscow in the most recent season and has 33 points (9G / 24A) in 132 career NHL games with Tampa Bay and Montreal.

Source:
PuckPedia 2020-10-24T17:09:41.183Z
Nikita Nesterov
Travis Dermott(D)|FA
Signing
Signing
The Maple Leafs have signed Travis Dermott to a one-year deal worth $874K.

Dermott was an RFA and gets a one-year, "show-me" deal as we head into the 2021 campaign. In 2020, Dermott matched his career-best of four goals but compiled just 11 points in 56 games. Dermott doesn't have a lot of offensive upside and will likely be a third-pairing defenseman in 2021.

Source:
James Mirtle 2020-10-24T17:12:33.532Z
Travis Dermott
Dmitry Kulikov(D)|FLA
Signing
Signing
The Devils have signed Dmitry Kulikov to a one-year deal worth $1.15 million.

Kulikov had two goals and eight assists (10 points) in 51 game with the Jets last season. Kulikov topped 100 huts for the sixth time in his 11-year career and will bring a physical element to the Devils blueline. His one-year deal buys Ty Smith an extra year of development before he likely becomes a full-time NHLer in 2022.

Source:
@NJDevils 2020-10-24T17:18:17.455Z
Dmitry Kulikov
Casey Nelson(RD)|FA
Signing
Signing
The Sabres have signed Casey Nelson to a one-year deal worth $700K.

Nelson spent all of 2020 in the AHL, picking up four goals and eight assists (12 points) in 48 games with the Rochester Americans. The 28-year-old has 18 points (4G / 14A) in 93 career NHL games (all with Buffalo) but will almost certainly start 2021 in the AHL again.

Source:
Joe Yerdon 2020-10-24T17:19:41.085Z
Casey Nelson
Antoine Bibeau(G)|OTT
Signing
Signing
The Hurricanes have signed Antoine Bibeau to a one-year, two-way contract.

Bibeau has primarily served as a AHL netminder since being drafted in the sixth-round in 2013. He has played just four NHL games, allowing nine goals on 97 shots (.907 SV%). He will likely serve as Alex Nedeljkovic's backup in the AHL to start 2021.

Source:
Michael Smith 2020-10-24T17:21:58.405Z
Antoine Bibeau
Denis Gurianov(RW)|FA
Signing
Signing
The Stars have signed Denis Gurianov to a two-year contract worth $5.1 million ($2.55 M AAV).

Gurianov made the jump to the NHL in 2020 and used his great shot to score 20 goals with nine assists (29 points) in 64 regular seasons games. Once the NHL returned to play he flourished in the postseason, picking up 17 points (9G / 8A) in 27 games. He has a chance to become a 25-25 player in the Stars' top-6 in 2021.

Source:
Dallas Stars 2020-10-24T17:24:51.042Z
Denis Gurianov

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!