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NHL Hockey Player News

Valentin Zykov(Right Wing)(RW)|Free Agent FA

Waiver Move

The Golden Knights have claimed Valentin Zykov off of waivers from the Oilers.

Zykov was originally claimed off of waivers by Edmonton and only appeared in five games before being waived again. The former No.37 overall pick has just three assists in a combined 18 NHL games this season.

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Elliotte Friedman 2018-12-29T18:17:23.551Z

Matt Murray(Goalie)(G)|Seattle Kraken SEA

Goalie Start

Murray will start Saturday in St. Louis.

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Chris Bradford 2018-12-29T18:12:09.976Z

Jonathan Bernier(Goalie)(G)|Free Agent FA

Goalie Start

Bernier was the first goalie off of the ice at the Red Wings morning skate.

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Dana Wakiji 2018-12-29T18:10:52.582Z

Darcy Kuemper(Goalie)(G)|Los Angeles Kings LAK

Goalie Start

Kuemper will start Sunday vs. the Golden Knights.

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Craig Morgan 2018-12-29T18:10:18.861Z

Adin Hill(Goalie)(G)|Vegas Golden Knights VGK

Goalie Start

Hill will start Saturday vs. the Ducks.

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Craig Morgan 2018-12-29T18:09:58.972Z

Marcus Hogberg(Goalie)(G)|New York Islanders NYI

Goalie Start

Hogberg will start Saturday vs. the Capitals.

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Bruce Garrioch 2018-12-29T17:52:47.169Z

David Rittich(Goalie)(G)|New York Islanders NYI

Goalie Start

Rittich will start Saturday vs. the Canucks.

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Pat Steinberg 2018-12-29T17:52:10.912Z

Michael Hutchinson(Goalie)(G)|Free Agent FA

Trade

The Maple Leafs have acquired Michael Hutchinson from the Panthers for a 2020 fifth-round pick.

The Maple Leafs lacked goaltending depth after losing Calvin Pickard and Curtis McElhinney in the preseason. Hutchinson provides some added depth but hasn’t had a good year. The 28-year-old has gone 2-3-1 with a 3.33 GAA and .906 SV% in eight games with Springfield (AHL) and has a 2.70 GAA and .907 SV% in 106 career NHL games.

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@MapleLeafs 2018-12-29T17:44:48.277Z

Pheonix Copley(Goalie)(G)|Los Angeles Kings LAK

Goalie Start

Copley will start Saturday vs. the Senators.

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TSN1200 2018-12-29T17:27:48.581Z

Jordan Eberle(Right Wing)(RW)|Seattle Kraken SEA

Injury

The Islanders have placed Jordan Eberle (undisclosed) on IR.

Eberle’s move to IR is retroactive to December 23rd, which means he’s eligible to come off of IR as soon as tomorrow. The move opened up a roster spot for the Islanders to recall Michael Dal Colle from Bridgeport (AHL).

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Brian Compton 2018-12-29T16:59:28.746Z

Michael Dal Colle(Left Wing)(LW)|Free Agent FA

Call Up

The Islanders have recalled Michael Dal Colle from Bridgeport (AHL).

Dal Colle has had a nice season in Bridgeport, picking up 16 goals and 12 assists (28 points) in 28 games. The 22-year-old has not registered a point in six career NHL games.

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Brian Compton 2018-12-29T16:57:50.032Z

Jason Pominville(Right Wing)(RW)|Free Agent FA

Injury

Pominville (undisclosed) will be back in the Sabres lineup on Saturday.

Pominville has missed the last three games with an undisclosed injury but is expected to play on Saturday. Pominville has 18 points (9G / 9A) in 33 games this season.

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Joe Yerdon 2018-12-29T16:56:01.679Z

Alex Pietrangelo(Defenseman)(D)|Vegas Golden Knights VGK

Injury

Pietrangelo (hand) will return to the Blues lineup on Saturday.

Pietrangelo has missed the last 11 games with a hand injury but will play Saturday vs. the Penguins. Pietrangelo, who has four goals and seven assists (11 points) in 24 games, will be on the top pair and top power-play in his return.

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Jeremy Rutherford 2018-12-29T16:51:57.163Z

Matt Niskanen()(RD)|Free Agent FA

Injury

Niskanen (undisclosed) is not expected to play on Saturday.

Niskanen traveled to Ottawa and was briefly on the ice for the morning skate but is not expected to play on Saturday. Madison Bowey is expected to play on the second pair and Tyler Lewington is expected to dress on the third pair.

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Isabelle Khurshudyan 2018-12-29T16:48:27.809Z

Zemgus Girgensons(Center)(C)|Tampa Bay Lightning TBL

Injury

Girgensons is week-to-week with an upper-body injury.

Girgensons, who has just one assist in his last seven games, is expected to miss at least a few weeks with an upper-bod injury he suffered on Thursday. With Girgensons out, Remi Elie will likely become a regular in the lineup.

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Paul Hamilton 2018-12-29T16:45:10.706Z

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

Goalie Start

Allen was the first goalie off of the ice at the Blues morning skate.

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Jim Thomas 2018-12-29T16:36:09.811Z

Braden Holtby(Goalie)(G)|Free Agent FA

Goalie Start

Holtby is in the starter's crease at the Capitals morning skate.

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Isabelle Khurshudyan 2018-12-29T16:35:31.961Z

Nathan Beaulieu(Right Defenseman)(LD)|Free Agent FA

Line Change

Beaulieu is expected to draw back into the Sabres lineup on Saturday.

Beaulieu has not been in the lineup for the last five games—four with an upper-body injury and one as a healthy scratch. Beaulieu, who has six points (3G / 3A) in 23 games this season is expected to replace Lawrence Pilut.

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Joe Yerdon 2018-12-29T16:28:04.435Z

Lawrence Pilut(Right Defenseman)(LD)|Free Agent FA

Line Change

Pilut is expected to be a healthy scratch on Saturday.

Pilut has been in the lineup for the last three games and even played 20:22 TOI on Thursday but is expected to be a scratch on Saturday. Nathan Beaulieu is expected to draw in for Pilut.

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Bill Hoppe 2018-12-29T16:26:01.267Z

Stefan Elliott(Defenseman)(D)|

Call Up

The Senators have recalled Stefan Elliott from Belleville (AHL).

Elliott has picked up one goal and three assists in eight games with Belleville since being acquired from the Penguins. The 27-year-old has 25 points (8G / 17A) in 86 career NHL games.

Source:

Steve Lloyd 2018-12-29T16:20:33.290Z

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.