NHL Hockey Player News

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

Goalie Start

Varlamov starts Friday vs. the Predators.

Varlamov allowed one goal on 45 shots in Colorado’s win in St. Louis last night. Varlamov has turned in back-to-back gems and has stopped 81 of the last 83 shots (.976 SV%) that he has faced. Varlamov will be in tough one the tail-end of a back-to-back vs. the Predators—he is 0-2-1 with a 4.32 GAA and .854 SV% in three games vs. Nashville this season.

Source:

Adrian Dater 2018-03-17T00:02:38.927Z

Jimmy Howard(Goalie)(G)|Free Agent FA

Goalie Start

Howard is expected to start Friday in Anaheim.

Howard allowed four goals on 33 shots in the Red Wings loss in San Jose on Monday. Jared Coreau has started two of the last three, including last night, so Howard will get back between the pipes tonight in Anaheim. Howard made 32 saves in a 2-1 win in his first start vs. the Ducks but the Red Wings have lost eight in a row and may not win again this season.

Source:

@DetroitRedWings 2018-03-17T00:07:53.950Z

Jaroslav Halak(Goalie)(G)|Free Agent FA

Goalie Start

Halak will start Friday against the Capitals.

Halak allowed just one goal on nine shots after replacing Chris Gibson in the Islanders blowout loss to the Capitals last night. Halak will start the tail-end of the home-and-home with Washington as he searches for his first win since February 15th. Halak is 1-1-0 with a 2.44 GAA and .900 SV% against Washington this season.

Source:

Andrew Gross 2018-03-17T00:00:26.114Z

John Gibson(Goalie)(G)|Anaheim Ducks ANA

Goalie Start

Gibson is expected to start Friday vs. the Red Wings.

Gibson stopped all 32 shots that he faced in the Ducks win over the Canucks on Wednesday. After two tough outing, Wednesday was a nice outing for Gibson, who has gone 4-2-0 with a 2.19 GAA and .933 SV% in March. He is a must-start against a Red Wings team that is on the tail-end of a back-to-back and one an eight-game losing skid.

Source:

Eric Stephens 2018-03-16T19:52:51.299Z

Dean Kukan(Right Defenseman)(LD)|Columbus Blue Jackets CBJ

Injury

The Blue Jackets have activated Dean Kukan (upper-body) from IR.

Source:

Columbus Blue Jackets 2018-03-16T18:46:28.674Z

Pontus Aberg(Left Wing)(LW)|Free Agent FA

Injury

Aberg (undisclosed) will not be in the Oilers lineup on Saturday.

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Jack Michaels 2018-03-16T18:45:20.834Z

Kris Russell(Right Defenseman)(LD)|Free Agent FA

Injury

Russell (undisclosed) is doubtful for Saturday’s game.

Source:

Jack Michaels 2018-03-16T18:45:05.317Z

Alex Stalock(Goalie)(G)|Anaheim Ducks ANA

Goalie Start

Stalock will start Friday in Vegas.

Stalock allowed two goals on nine shots after replacing Devan Dubnyk in Colraodo on March 2nd. Stalock has struggled against the Coyotes, so he will start the first game of the back-to-back tonight in Vegas. Stalock is 4-8-1 with a 3.40 GAA and .901 SV% on the road this season.

Source:

@mnwild 2018-03-16T18:58:11.877Z

James Neal(Right Wing)(RW)|Free Agent FA

Injury

Neal (hand) will be back in the Golden Knights lineup on Friday.

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Steve Carp 2018-03-16T18:22:18.718Z

Marc-Andre Fleury(Goalie)(G)|Minnesota Wild MIN

Goalie Start

Fleury will start Friday vs. the Wild.

Fleury was pulled after he allowed four goals on 11 shots in the Golden Knights loss to the Devils on Wednesday. It was a rough outing for the entire Vegas team, who will go right back to Fleury tonight vs. the Wild. Fleury has gone 4-3-0 with a 2.65 GAA and .917 SV% in seven starts in March.

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Steve Carp 2018-03-16T18:56:32.232Z

Korbinian Holzer()(RD)|Free Agent FA

Call Up

The Ducks have recalled Korbinian Holzer from San Diego (AHL).

Source:

Eric Stephens 2018-03-16T18:11:15.743Z

Kevin Bieksa()(RD)|

Injury

Bieksa will undergo hand surgery and expected to miss 2-5 weeks.

Source:

John Shannon 2018-03-16T18:10:04.934Z

Joonas Donskoi(Right Wing)(RW)|Free Agent FA

Injury

Donskoi (upper-body) will not be in the lineup on Friday; not expected to be out long-term.

Source:

Paul Gackle 2018-03-16T18:08:50.950Z

Evander Kane(Left Wing)(LW)|Edmonton Oilers EDM

Injury

Kane (lower-body) will be a game-time decision on Friday.

Source:

Paul Gackle 2018-03-16T18:08:38.014Z

Marc-Andre Fleury(Goalie)(G)|Minnesota Wild MIN

Goalie Start

Fleury was the first goalie off of the ice at the Golden Knights morning skate.

Source:

David Schoen 2018-03-16T18:07:17.022Z

Martin Jones(Goalie)(G)|Free Agent FA

Goalie Start

Jones will start Friday in Calgary.

Jones allowed three goals on 28 shots in the Sharks win in Edmonton on Wednesday. Jones has won three of his last four and five of his last seven games coming into tonight’s game in Calgary. Jones made 32 saves in a 3-2 shootout win in his first start against the Flames this season.

Source:

Paul Gackle 2018-03-16T18:55:23.569Z

Chad Johnson(Goalie)(G)|Free Agent FA

Goalie Start

Johnson will start Saturday against the Blackhawks.

Source:

@BuffaloSabres 2018-03-16T17:52:12.787Z

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

Send Down

The Coyotes have reassigned Adin Hill to Tucson (AHL).

Hill’s return to the AHL suggests that Antti Raanta is set to return from his lower-body injury on Saturday. Hill has gone 14-10-0 with a 2.41 GAA and .911 SV% with the Roadrunners this season.

Source:

Arizona Coyotes 2018-03-16T17:51:07.357Z

Gemel Smith(Center)(C)|Tampa Bay Lightning TBL

Line Change

Smith is expected to draw into the Stars lineup on Friday.

Source:

Scott Burnside 2018-03-16T17:48:37.465Z

Brett Ritchie(Right Wing)(RW)|Free Agent FA

Line Change

Ritchie is not expected to be in the Stars lineup on Friday.

Source:

Scott Burnside 2018-03-16T17:48:22.949Z

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 Trade News and Analysis – Get all the latest NHL trade rumours and team transaction analysis.
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.