Laine (undisclosed) is on the ice for warmups and is expected to play Thursdady.
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NHL Hockey Player News
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Primeau led the Canadiens onto the ice for warmups.
The Oilers have recalled Markus Niemelainen from Bakersfield (AHL).
With Duncan Keith out at least two weeks with a concussion, Niemelainen returns to the NHL. He previously played seven games with the Oilers this season but has spent most of the year in Bakersfield, where he has seven points (2G / 5A) in 23 games.
Keith is in concussion protocol and is expected to miss 2-to-4 weeks.
Keith slammed into the end boards awkwardly during Wednesday's loss to the Blackhawks and will miss at least two weeks. Markus Niemelainen was recalled from the AHL to help replace Keith on the blueline.
Kassian is expected to miss 4-to-8 weeks with a fractured jaw.
Kassian took a puck to the face in Wednesday's loss to the Blackhawks and is expected to be out for at least one month. Brendan Perlini or Kyle Turris will likely replace him on Friday.
Foligno has been suspended for two games for kneeing Adam Lowry on Tuesday.
Foligno kneed Lowry during a fight on Tuesday night and will miss Saturday's game vs. Carolina and Monday's game vs. Detroit. Foligno will be eligible to return next Wednesday in Winnipeg. Brandon Duhaime will move up to the third line while Foligno is out.
Kucherov (COVID-19) will be back in the Lightning lineup on Thursday.
Kucherov missed three games while in COVID-19 protocol but will play Thursday in Colorado. Kucherov will return on the first line and top power-play unit and comes in with five goals and 12 assists (17 points) in 11 games this season.
MacKinnon (nose/concussion) will not play Thursday but is on track to play Sunday.
MacKinnon will miss his fourth consecutive game on Thursday but head coach Jared Bednar says he's on track to play Sunday vs. Dallas. Mikko Rantanen will continue as the No.1 centre while MacKinnon is sidelined.
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Kuemper will start Thursday vs. the Lightning.
Simmonds (personal) will not play Thursday.
Simmonds stayed back in Toronto on Wednesday to be with his wife for the birth of their child. The Maple Leafs said there was a possibility he would join the team in Calgary and play, but Jake Muzzin will dress as a seventh defenseman to replace him.
Muzzin (concussion) will be back in the Maple Leafs lineup on Thursday.
Muzzin has missed the last seven games with a concussion but will dress Thursday in Calgary. Muzzin will be the seventh defenseman with Wayne Simmonds out due to personal reasons. Muzzin has one goal and 10 assists (11 points) in 35 games this season.
Helm (lower-body) will return to the Avalanche lineup on Thursday.
Helm will play for the first time since January 10th, drawing in on the Avalanche fourth line to replace Mikhail Maltsev. Helm has scored four goals with two assists (six points) in 32 games this season.
The Red Wings have added Filip Hronek to the COVID-19 protocol list.
Hronek will not be available for five days, which means he'll miss at least one game and will be questionable for Monday's game in Minnesota. It's unclear who will replace Hronek on Saturday but Troy Stecher (IR) skated in his spot on Thursday.
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DeSmith will start Thursday in Ottawa.
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Andersen will start Thursday in Boston.
Teravainen (lower-body) will be a game-time decision on Thursday.
Teravainen was on the ice for the morning skate but remains a game-time decision in Boston. Head coach Rod Brind'Amour said he expects Teravainen to play but it's not 100 percent.
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Binnington will start Thursday vs. the Devils.
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Samsonov will start Thursday in Montreal.
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Ullmark is expected to start Thursday vs. the Hurricanes.
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Binnington is in the starter's crease at the Blues morning skate.
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!
- NHL Player Injury Updates and Recovery Timelines – See all the latest NHL player injury updates, timelines for their return, and impact made on each team.
- NHL Waiver Wire Moves and Implications – Check out all the latest moves made on the NHL waiver wire and their implications on the teams involved.
- NHL Latest Line Combination Changes – Bringing you every line combination from across all 32 NHL teams, check out the latest NHL line combination changes made ahead of their next tilt.
- NHL Player Signings and Contract Details – Your go-to spot during NHL free agency, check out the latest NHL player signings and contract details today.
- NHL Roster Changes and Transactions – Looking to see what the latest moves made by your favourite team were? Then check out the latest NHL roster changes and transactions here on DFO.