NHL Hockey Player News

Makar (undisclosed) is expected to be ready for the round-robin.

Makar missed some time during training camp but participated in the final practice before entering the bubble. While speaking with the media on Monday, Makar said "I feel perfect now," which is a great sign for the Avalanche, who begins Western Conference round-robin play on Sunday. Makar had 50 points (12G / 38A) in 57 games during his rookie campaign and had six points (1G / 5A) in 10 playoff games last year.

Cale Makar
Samsonov (undisclosed) is expected to miss the 2020 playoffs.

Samsonov did not travel to Toronto and will remain in Washington to undergo treatment. The Capitals expect Samsonov to be healthy for the 2020-21 season, which means Braden Holtby is now their unquestioned starter heading into the playoffs. Pheonix Copley and Vitek Vanecek will battle it out for the backup position.

Ilya Samsonov
Crawford (Covid-19) entered the bubble with his team on Sunday.

Crawford missed the start of Phase 3 training camp and it was revealed that absence was because the goaltender tested positive for Covid-19. On Sunday, he was included on the Blackhawks' playoff roster and travelled to Edmonton with the team. Head coach Jeremy Colliton said the team is "trying to get [Crawford] up to speed as quick as we can." It's unclear whether or not Crawford will be ready to start Wednesday's exhibition game vs. the Blues or Game 1 vs. the Oilers on Saturday.

Corey Crawford
Hedman (personal) did not travel with the team but is expected to be available for the Round Robin games.

The Tampa Bay Lightning entered the playoff bubble in Toronto on Sunday but Hedman remained in Tampa for a "personal matter." Hedman and Tampa's strength coach will stay back until Friday, at which point both will fly to Toronto and meet back up with the team. Hedman will miss Tampa Bay's exhibition game against the Panthers on Wednesday but will be available for all three round-robin games, general manager Julien BriseBois said.

Victor Hedman
Hamilton (undisclosed) reportedly expected to miss "weeks."

Hamilton reportedly suffered a new injury, unrelated to the broken leg which forced him to miss the final two and half months of the regular season. Sara Civ of The Athletic reported that Hamilton's absence is "in the realm of weeks not months." This is untimely news as the Hurricanes enter the hub city bubble and get set to face the Rangers on Saturday. Carolina was 11-7-3 (11th in the NHL) after Hamilton was hurt in mid-January.

Dougie Hamilton
Crosby (undisclosed) returns to practice on Friday.

Crosby has been absent since getting hurt in Monday's scrimmage game. He skated on his own prior to their scrimmage on Thursday but was deemed "unfit to play." On Friday he joined his teammates for practice, which is a good sign that he'll be available for Game 1 vs. the Montreal Canadiens.

Sidney Crosby
Domi returned to the ice on Monday.

Domi sat out the first week of Phase 3 while deciding whether or not he will play in the Qualifying Round. Domi is at an increased risk as a Type-1 diabetic, so he took extra time to make his decision on the NHL's Return to Play program. During his first practice with the team, Domi took part in some drills and was featured on the second power-play unit.

Max Domi
The Blue Jackets added Josh Anderson (shoulder) to their 34-man roster on Sunday.

Anderson has not played since December 14th and underwent shoulder surgery in March. Anderson skated on his own on Sunday but has yet to join the team sessions. Blue Jackets coach John Tortorella had "no information at all" on Anderson, so it's unclear whether the power-forward could be ready for the Maple Leafs or any potential series beyond that.

Josh Anderson

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!