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NHL Hockey Player News

Semyon Varlamov(G)|NYI
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Varlamov led the Islanders onto the ice for warmups.

Varlamov stopped all 24 shots that he faced in the Islanders' shutout win over the Rangers on opening night. He was scheduled to start Saturday's rematch but was scratched after getting hit in the face in warmups. Luckily the injury was not serious and he'll be back between the pipes tonight vs. a Bruins offence that has been relatively quiet through their first two games.

Source:
Brian Compton 2021-01-18T21:37:20.393Z
Semyon Varlamov
Darcy Kuemper(G)|LAK
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Kuemper will start Monday in Vegas.

Kuemper allowed three goals on 35 shots in the Coyotes shootout loss to the Sharks on opening night. Antti Raanta started Saturday’s game so Kuemper will be fresh to start a week where they will play the Golden Knights four times in seven days. Kuemper was 1-0-1 while stopping 74 of 76 shots (.974 SV%) in two games vs. Vegas last year.

Source:
Craig Morgan 2021-01-19T04:26:56.510Z
Darcy Kuemper
Cam Talbot(G)|DET
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Talbot will start Monday in Anaheim.

Talbot gave up three goals on 33 shots in the Wild’s win in Los Angeles on Saturday. Talbot has had a steady start to the season, opening the year at 2-0 while stopping 61 of the 67 shots (.910 SV%) that he’s faced. On Monday he has a strong chance to move to 3-0 against an Anaheim team that is searching for offence early in the season.

Source:
Dane Mizutani 2021-01-19T04:07:50.018Z
Cam Talbot
Thatcher Demko(G)|VAN
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Demko was the first goalie off of the ice at the Canucks' morning skate.

Braden Holtby was in the starter’s crease at the morning skate but Demko was the first one off, so it looks like they will continue to rotate goalies to open the season. Demko gave up five goals on 45 shots in a loss in Edmonton in his first start of the season and draws another tough assignment tonight in Calgary. The Flames have scored three goals in each of their first two games, including a 3-0 win vs. Holtby and Vancouver on Saturday.

Source:
Derek Wills 2021-01-19T01:15:00.166Z
Thatcher Demko
Jake Allen(G)|NJD
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Allen will make his Canadiens debut Monday in Edmonton.

Allen served as Carey Price’s backup in the first two games of the season but will make his Canadiens debut Monday in Edmonton. There are easier matchups than facing Connor McDavid in your debut but he is 5-2-0 vs. Edmonton in the last three seasons. The 30-year-old is coming off of a 12-6-3, 2.15 GAA and .927 SV% in 2020, so he is one of the most reliable backup options in the NHL.

Source:
John Lu 2021-01-19T01:04:31.251Z
Jake Allen

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!