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NHL Hockey Player News

Kale Clague(Defenseman)(D)|Free Agent FA

Waiver Move

The Canadiens have claimed Kale Clague off of waivers from the Kings.

Clague was a second-round pick (No.51 overall) in 2016 and was waived by the Kings after just 33 career NHL games. Clague has picked up five assists in 11 games this season and will likely factor in full-time on the Canadiens' blueline.

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Frank Seravalli 2021-12-04T19:11:52.959Z

Thatcher Demko(Goalie)(G)|Vancouver Canucks VAN

Goalie Start

Demko will start Saturday vs. the Penguins.

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Harman Dayal 2021-12-04T19:03:57.890Z

Nic Dowd(Center)(C)|Vegas Golden Knights VGK

Injury

Dowd (COVID-19 protocol) will not play on Saturday.

Dowd was moved to the COVID-19 protocol list on Friday and will not play on Saturday. With Dowd out, Lars Eller may centre the Capitals' checking line with Carl Hagelin and Garnet Hathaway.

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Tarik El-Bashir 2021-12-04T18:50:30.496Z

Trevor van Riemsdyk(Defenseman)(D)|Pittsburgh Penguins PIT

Injury

van Riemsdyk has been added to the COVID-19 protocol list.

van Riemsdyk will not play Saturday after being added to the COVID-19 protocol list after the morning skate. Matt Irwin will make his season debut with van Riemsdyk out.

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Tarik El-Bashir 2021-12-04T18:26:10.557Z

Morgan Barron(Center)(C)|Winnipeg Jets WPG

Send Down

The Rangers have sent Morgan Barron to Hartford (AHL).

Barron did not play during his most recent call-up and returns to the AHL, where he has six goals and three assists in 15 games.

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Larry Brooks 2021-12-04T18:23:31.140Z

Adam Huska(Goalie)(G)|Free Agent FA

Call Up

The Rangers have recalled Adam Huska from Hartford (AHL).

Huska has gone 2-3-1 with a 2.20 GAA and .924 SV% in six AHL games this season. Huska will serve as Alexandar Georgiev's backup with Igor Shesterkin getting hurt on Friday.

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Larry Brooks 2021-12-04T18:22:25.195Z

Jakub Zboril(Defenseman)(D)|Free Agent FA

Injury

Zboril (lower-body) will not play Saturday vs. the Lightning.

Zboril suffered a lower-body injury in Nashville on Thursday and will not play on Saturday. With Zboril out, Jack Ahcan has been called up and could play.

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Fluto Shinzawa 2021-12-04T17:55:48.539Z

Bowen Byram(Defenseman)(D)|Chicago Blackhawks CHI

Injury

Byram (head) will be a game-time decision on Saturday.

Byram was scratched from the lineup on Thursday and will be a game-time decision on Saturday. Monitor Bryam's status as the Avalanche hit the ice for warmups at 6:30 PM ET.

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Mike Chambers 2021-12-04T17:54:17.539Z

Nazem Kadri(Center)(C)|Colorado Avalanche COL

Injury

Kadri (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision on Saturday.

According to head coach Jared Bednar, Kadri got "dinged up" in Montreal and will be a game-time decision on Saturday. Monitor his status as the Avalanche hit the ice for warmups at 6:30 PM ET.

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Mike Chambers 2021-12-04T17:52:37.358Z

Ondrej Kase(Right Wing)(RW)|Free Agent FA

Injury

Kase (upper-body) will be a game-time decision on Saturday.

Kase has missed the last three games with an upper-body injury but could return to the lineup on Saturday. Kase skated on the third line in Friday's practice, which is a good sign for his availability heading into Saturday.

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David Alter 2021-12-04T17:38:44.245Z

Carter Hart(Goalie)(G)|Vegas Golden Knights VGK

Goalie Start

Hart will start Sunday vs. the Lightning.

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Jordan Hall 2021-12-04T17:36:38.434Z

Ville Husso(Goalie)(G)|Anaheim Ducks ANA

Goalie Start

Husso led the Blues onto the ice for warmups.

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Tom Timmermann 2021-12-04T17:32:35.822Z

Morgan Rielly(Defenseman)(D)|Toronto Maple Leafs TOR

Injury

Rielly (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision on Saturday.

Rielly missed Friday's practice session and will be a game-time deacon in Minnesota. It seems likely that he will be available but monitor his status as the Maple Leafs hit the ice for warmups at 6:30 PM ET.

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David Alter 2021-12-04T17:17:47.701Z

Mitch Marner(Right Wing)(RW)|Vegas Golden Knights VGK

Injury

Marner (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision on Saturday.

Marner left Friday's practice early for precautionary reasons and is listed as a game-time decision in Minnesota. It seems likely that Marner will play but monitor his status when the Maple Leafs hit the ice for warmups at 6:30 PM ET.

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David Alter 2021-12-04T17:15:38.096Z

Jack Campbell(Goalie)(G)|Free Agent FA

Goalie Start

Campbell will start Saturday in Minnesota.

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Jessi Pierce 2021-12-04T16:59:56.020Z

Charlie McAvoy(Defenseman)(D)|Boston Bruins BOS

Injury

McAvoy (illness) will be a game-time decision on Saturday.

McAvoy was not on the ice for Saturday's morning skate and will be a game-time decision. With McAvoy absent, Mike Reilly took over on the top power-play unit during the session.

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Steve Conroy 2021-12-04T16:58:56.635Z

Jeremy Swayman(Goalie)(G)|Boston Bruins BOS

Goalie Start

Swayman will start Saturday vs. the Lightning.

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Steve Conroy 2021-12-04T16:56:38.029Z

Semyon Varlamov(Goalie)(G)|New York Islanders NYI

Goalie Start

Varlamov will likely start Sunday vs. the Blackhawks.

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Andrew Gross 2021-12-04T16:55:51.086Z

Ilya Sorokin(Goalie)(G)|New York Islanders NYI

Goalie Start

Sorokin will start Saturday in Detroit.

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Andrew Gross 2021-12-04T16:55:16.074Z

Jake Allen(Goalie)(G)|New Jersey Devils NJD

Goalie Start

Allen will start Saturday in Nashville.

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Renaud Lavoie 2021-12-04T16:54:49.625Z

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.