NHL Hockey Player News

The Penguins have signed Mark Jankowski to a one-year deal worth $700K.

Jankowski struggled in 2020, going from 32 points in 2019 to just seven points (5G / 2A) in 56 games last year. Jankowski moves on to Pittsburgh, where he is expected to serve as the third line centre behind Sidney Crosby and Evgeni Malkin. He has bounce-back potential but won't be anywhere near fantasy lineups.

Mark Jankowski
The Penguins have signed Evan Rodrigues to a one-year deal worth $700K.

Rodrigues was acquired from Buffalo last February and then his rights were flipped to Toronto in the Kasperi Kapanen deal this summer. Toronto did not tender the RFA, so he was free to re-join the Penguins on Friday. Rodrigues had six goals and four assists (10 points) in 45 NHL games last year and GM Jim Rutherford said on Friday that he'll be on the third line with Mark Jankowski and Jared McCann to start 2021.

Evan Rodrigues
The Coyotes have signed Tyler Pitlick to a two-year contract worth $3.5 million ($1.75M AAV).

After one season with the Flyers, Pitlick hit the open market, signing a two-year deal with the Coyotes. Pitlick provides very little offence but has good size (6-foot, 200 lbs) and fills an important role in the Coyotes' bottom-6. Pitlick led all Flyers' forwards with 132 hits while chipping in 20 points (8G / 12A) in 63 games.

Tyler Pitlick
The Panthers have signed Alexander Wennebrg to a one-year deal worth $2.25 million.

Wennberg was bought out by the Blue Jackets yesterday but signed a one-year "show me" deal with the Panthers. In Florida, Wennberg has a perfect opportunity to serve as their second line centre and get back to his point producing ways. He has not topped 30 points in two straight seasons but registered a career-high 59 points (13G / 46A) in 2017.

Alex Wennberg
The Avalanche have signed Miika Salomaki to a one-year, two-way deal ($700K/$350K).

Salomaki was drafted in the second-round in 2011 and spent the first six and half seasons of his career in their organization before being traded to Toronto last February. Salomaki will likely start 2021 in the AHL, where he had seven goals and 12 assists (19 points) in 49 games with Milwaukee and Toronto last year.

Miikka Salomaki
The Rangers have signed Anthony Greco to a two-year, two-way contract ($737.5K/$212.5K).

Greco bounced around the AHL last season, combining for 11 goals and 13 assists (24 points) in 47 games with Springfield, Syracuse and San Jose. Greco will start the 2021 season with Hartford (AHL).

Anthony Greco
The Senators have signed Matt Murray to a four-year deal worth $25.0 million ($6.25M AAV).

Murray was acquired from the Penguins on Wednesday and signed a four-year extension this afternoon. The signing makes Murray the seventh-highest paid goalie in the NHL for the 2021 season. Last year, Murray was tied for 34th in GAA (2.87) and tied for 45th in SV% (.899 SV%), so he has a lot of work to do to earn this contract.

Matt Murray
The Stars have signed Anton Khudobin to a three-year contract worth $10.0 million ($3.33M AAV).

After being allowed to hit the open market, Khudobin circled back and re-signed with the Stars. At the age of 34 and after an 11-year career, this is the longest contract that he's ever signed. A season ago, Khudobin led the NHL with a .930 SV% and and had a 2.69 GAA and .917 SV% in 25 playoff starts during the Stars run to the Stanley Cup Finals. Given Ben Bishop's injury history, Khudobin figures to a get a good number of starts again in 2021, making him a low-end No.2/high-end No.3 fantasy netminder.

Anton Khudobin
The Rangers have signed Keith Kinkaid to a two-year contract worth $1.75 million ($875K AAV).

Kinkaid is a New York native, who provides some veteran organizational depth after the buyout of Henrik Lundqvist. Kinkaid spent most of last season in the AHL, where he had an .888 SV% in 17 games with Laval and Charlotte (AHL). Kinkaid has a career .905 SV% in the NHL with the Devils and Canadiens.

Keith Kinkaid
The Oilers have signed Seth Griffith to a two-year, two-way contract.

Griffith has been terrific at the AHL-level since he turned pro in 2014 but has had very little success in the NHL. Most recently, Griffith had 41 points (21G / 20A) in 58 games with the Manitoba Moose (AHL) and will likely start 2021 in Bakersfield (AHL).

Seth Griffith
The Rangers have signed Colin Blackwell to a one-year deal worth $1.45 million ($725K AAV).

After spending the last three seasons in the Predators' organization, Blackwell hit the open market on Friday and signed on with the Rangers. In New York he could have a tough time cracking the opening night roster but he's a hard-working winger that could serve a role in the bottom-6 if injuries pop up. He had 10 points (3G / 7A) in 27 games with the Predators in 2020.

Colin Blackwell
The Flames have signed Buddy Robinson to a one-year deal worth $700K.

Robinson had another strong season in the AHL in 2020, scoring 18 goals with 14 assists (32 points) in 45 games. In his first two years with Stockton, he's compiled 32 goals and 42 assists (74 points) in 110 games. He earned a late-season call-up and will be a fringe roster player to start 2021.

Buddy Robinson
The Wild have signed Joseph Cramarossa to a one-year, two-way deal ($700K/$160K).

Cramarossa has been stuck in the AHL for the last three seasons and will likely remain there in 2021. He is a 6-foot, 195 lbs. winger who had just 12 points (5G / 7A) and 110 PIMS in 42 games with the Rockford IceHogs in 2020.

Joseph Cramarossa
The Rangers have signed Kevin Rooney to a two-year deal worth $1.5 million ($750K AAV).

Rooney signed with the New Jersey Devils out of Providence College and spent the first five years of his career in that organization. The 27-year-old was a regular NHLer in 2020, scoring four goals and five assists (nine points) in 49 games. He will be a borderline roster player on a deep Rangers team and could start the year in Hartford (AHL).

Kevin Rooney
The Oilers have signed Alan Quine to a one-year deal worth $750K.

Quine spent most of 2020 with Stockton (AHL), ranking second on the team with 46 points (14G / 32A) in just 38 games. Quine will be a fringe roster player with the Oilers but will help Bakersfield (AHL) if he doesn't make the big club. He has 28 points (10G / 18A) in 106 career NHL games with the Islanders and Flames.

Alan Quine
The Oilers have signed Kyle Turris to a two-year deal worth $3.3 million ($1.65M AAV).

Turris had the final four years of his $6.0M AAV deal bought-out on Wednesday and signs a team-friendly deal to join the Oilers as their third line centre. Turris is an effective two-way centre that can provide some offence and is a nice complementary piece to Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl. A change of scenery will likely do Turris well and let's not forget that he averaged 23 goals and 33 assists (56 points) per 82 games from 2014-to-2018 while he was with the Senators.s

Kyle Turris

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!