NHL Hockey Player News

Tkachuk (groin) is expected to make his NHL debut on Monday.

Tkachuk missed the first two games of the season with a mild groin injury, but will be on the Senators first-line with Matt Duchene and Ryan Dzingel this afternoon. This summer’s No.4 overall pick had 31 points (8G / 23A) in 40 games at Boston University last year.

Brady Tkachuk
Lehner will start Monday afternoon vs. the Sharks.

During his three seasons with the Sabres, Lehner posted a 2.77 GAA and .916 SV% in 133 games. Lehner saw a ton of rubber in Buffalo and that won’t change behind an Islanders team that allowed the most shots on goal last season. He draws a rough matchup in his Islanders debut with a loaded Sharks team in town.

Robin Lehner
Condon will start Monday afternoon in Boston.

Condon appeared in 31 games for the Senators last season, going 5-17-5 with a 3.25 GAA and .902 SV%. It was a rough year for the Senators No.2 netminder, who will be making his first start of the year this afternoon. He was 0-2-0 with a 4.04 GAA and .897 SV% in two starts against Boston a year ago.

Mike Condon
Rask will start Monday afternoon vs. the Senators.

Rask was yanked after allowing five goals on 19 shots in the Bruins blowout loss in Washington on opening night. After sitting and watching Jaroslav Halak in the Bruins second-game, Rask will get the call against the Senators this afternoon. Rask was 3-0-0 with a 1.00 GAA, .959 SV% and one shutout vs. Ottawa last year.

Tuukka Rask
The Sharks placed Joe Thornton (undisclosed) on IR on Sunday.

Thornton’s injury is not structural but rather an infection in his knee. This should come as a relief for Thornton owners, as the veteran will be put on antibiotics and hopefully make a quick recovery. Joe Pavelski will shift to centre and Melker Karlsson will be bumped to the top-line for the time being.

Joe Thornton
The Kings have recalled Peter Budaj from Ontario (AHL).

Budaj was placed on waivers in order to send him to Ontario, but was quickly recalled after Jonathan Quick (lower-body) landed on IR. Budaj will backup Jack Campbell tonight and for the foreseeable future while Quick is sidelined.

Peter Budaj
The Kings have placed Jonathan Quick (lower-body) on IR.

Quick has been ruled out for Sunday’s game vs. the Red Wings and his move to IR means that he will have to miss at least one week. Jack Campbell will step in as the Kings’ temporary No.1 netminder with Peter Budaj serving as his backup until Quick is set to return. There’s no word on how long the Kings expect their veteran netminder to be sidelined.

Jonathan Quick
Campbell will start Sunday vs. the Red Wings.

Campbell appeared in five games for the Kings last season, going 2-0-2 with a 2.48 GAA and .924 SV%. He has spent most of his career in the AHL and was 11-10-1 with a 2.83 GAA and .912 SV% in his most recent season. With a soft opponent on home-ice, Campbell is an intriguing spot-start for owners desperate for some goaltending help on the final night of the week.

Jack Campbell
Ward will start Sunday vs. the Maple Leafs.

Ward allowed four goals on 30 shots in the Blackhawks overtime win in St. Louis. Ward is off to a 2-0 starts despite allowing a combined seven goals on 55 shots (.873 SV%). He is a bad option tonight vs. a strong Maple Leafs team, especially on no rest.

Cam Ward
Bernier will make his Red Wings debut vs. the Kings on Sunday.

Bernier was 19-13-3 with a 2,85 GAA and .913 SV% in 37 games with the Avalanche last season. Bernier inked a deal with the Red Wings this season and will start tonight vs. the team that drafted him back in 2006. The Red Wings have a very inexperienced blueline in front of him, making the 30-year-old a risky option on the last night of the week.

Jonathan Bernier

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!