NHL Hockey Player News

The Coyotes acquired Dave Bolland and Lawson Crouse from the Panthers for a conditional third-round pick in 2017 and a conditional second-round pick in 2018.

Bolland was a part of this deal to free up cap space for the Panthers, cap space that the Coyotes have. Bolland will not be ready for the start of 2016-17 and may not play at all this season because of injury problems.

Dave Bolland
The Coyotes acquired Lawson Crouse and Dave Bolland from the Panthers for a conditional third-round pick in 2017 and a conditional second-round pick in 2018.

Crouse, 19, was drafted 11th overall in 2015 and is coming off of a season where he had 62 points (23G / 39A) in 49 games with the Kingston Frontenacs (OHL). Crouse is a big-boy (6’4” / 212 lbs.) who adds even more offensive upside to a youthful Coyotes organization. He will fight for a roster spot in training camp, but could start the year in the AHL.

Lawson Crouse
The Stars signed Jiri Hudler to a one-year deal worth $2 million.

Hudler had a career-year in 2014-15, picking up 31 goals and 45 assists (76 points), but struggled to come close to repeating those numbers last season. He had 35 points (10G / 25A) in 53 games with the Flames before being traded to the Panthers at the deadline—he added 11 points in 19 games with Florida. He now signs with Dallas, where he figures to battle with some of their young forwards for a top-6 role.

Jiri Hudler
The Senators re-signed Cody Ceci to a two-year deal worth $5.6 million ($2.8M AAV).

Ceci, 22, had his best offensive season of his young career in 2015-16, collecting 10 goals and 16 assists (26 points) in 75 games. The former 15th overall pick has 56 career points (18G / 38A) in his first 205 NHL games. Ceci will spend the 2016-17 season on the Senators’ second pairing behind Erik Karlsson.

Cody Ceci
The Maple Leafs signed Jhonas Enroth to a one-year deal worth $750K.

Enroth, 28, spent the 2015-16 season with the Kings, where he started 13 games and appeared in three others. He finished the season with a 7-5-1 record, 2.17 GAA, .922 SV% and two shutouts. The former second round pick has a career .911 SV% with the Sabres, Stars and Kings. Enroth will serve as Frederik Andersen’s backup in Toronto.

Jhonas Enroth
The Penguins signed Matt Cullen to a one-year, $1 million contract.

Cullen, 39, appeared in all 82 games with the Penguins last season, scoring 16 goals with 16 assists (32 points). He also registered six points (4G / 2A) in 24 playoff games en route to winning the Stanley Cup. He will once again be a part of the Penguins bottom-6 in 2016-17.

Matt Cullen
The Rangers have signed Jimmy Vesey to a two-year, entry-level contract.

Vesey, 23, opted not to sign with the Predators after finishing up his college career at Harvard and also decided not to sign with Buffalo after his rights were acquired in June. He became a free agent last Tuesday and his lengthy process finally ended with him signing with the Rangers. The reigning Hobey Baker award winner is coming off 24 goals and 22 assists (46 points) in 33 games with Harvard.

Jimmy Vesey
The Flames signed Sean Monahan to a seven-year contract worth $44.625 million ($6.375M AAV).

Monahan, 21, scored 27 goals with 36 assists for a career-high 63 points in 2015-16. The 2013 sixth overall pick has had an outstanding start to his NHL career—his 58 goals over the last two years is good for 16th in the NHL over that span. Monahan is easily a No.2 fantasy centre with No.1 upside.

Sean Monahan
The Coyotes have signed Radim Vrbata to a one-year deal worth $1 million.

One-year removed from a 31-goal, 63-point campaign, Vrbata posted just 13 goals and 14 assists (27 points) in 63 games last season. Vrbata joins a youthful Coyotes’ team and could crack their top-6 right out of the gate. He carries some sleeper potential if he can get back to his 20-goal, 50-point production from his last season with Arizona (2013-14).

Radim Vrbata
The Avalanche signed Ben Smith to a one-year, two-way contract.

Smith, 28, was with the Sharks and Maple Leafs last season, splitting time between both of their AHL and NHL squads. He finished the year with a total of six points (2G / 4A) in 22 NHL games and 16 points (12G / 4A) in 19 AHL contests. Smith will look to crack the Avs’ opening night roster in training camp.

Ben Smith
The Islanders signed Christopher Gibson to a one-year, two-way contract.

Gibson, 23, spent the majority of the 2015-16 season with Bridgeport (AHL), where he went 19-11-6 with a 2.70 GAA and .909 SV% in 42 games. He also appeared in four games with the Islanders, going 1-1-1 with a 3.40 GAA and .882 SV%. Gibson will be fourth on the Islanders’ depth chart and start the 2016-17 season as the Sound Tigers’ starter.

Chris Gibson
The Ducks signed Antoine Vermette to a two-year deal worth $3.5 million ($1.75M AAV).

Vermette, 34, was bought out by the Coyotes a few weeks ago but has caught on with the Ducks for the next two seasons. Vermette is a solid two-way centre, who had 38 points (17G / 21A) in 76 games with Arizona. He will likely skate on the Ducks’ third line throughout the 2016-17 season.

Antoine Vermette
The Flames re-signed Tyler Wotherspoon to a one-year deal.

Wotherspoon, 23, spent the majority of last season with Stockton (AHL), where he had 10 points (2G / 8A) in 53 games, but also appeared in 11 games with Calgary. Wotherspoon will likely start the 2016-17 campaign with Stockton, but will be one of the first defensemen recalled.

Tyler Wotherspoon
The Devils re-signed Reid Boucher to a one-year contract.

Boucher, 22, split the 2015-16 campaign between New Jersey and Albany (AHL). During his time in the NHL, Boucher recorded 19 points (8G / 11A) in 39 games and had 32 points (19G / 13A) in 34 AHL games. Boucher should spend the entire 2016-17 campaign with New Jersey.

Reid Boucher
The Blue Jackets signed Sam Gagner to a one-year deal worth $650K.

Gagner, 27, split the 2015-16 season between the NHL and AHL. He finished the year with 16 points (8G / 8A) in 53 games with the Flyers and six points (1G / 5A) in nine games with Lehigh Valley. The former sixth overall pick has not been able to break his career-high of 49 points he set in his rookie season. Gagner will battle for a roster spot in training camp this fall.

Sam Gagner
The Avalanche inked Tyson Barrie to a four-year $22 million extension ($5.5M AAV).

Coming off of a career-high 53 points in 2014-15, Barrie approached 50 points again in 2015-16, registering 49 points (13G / 36A) in 78 games. His 49 points were good for 11th among defensemen. Barrie will be among the top-15 fantasy defensemen again in 2016-17.

Tyson Barrie
The Coyotes signed Connor Murphy to a six-year deal worth $23.1 million ($3.85M AAV).

Murphy, 23, scored six goals with 11 assists (17 points) in 78 games in 2015-16. In his first two NHL seasons Murphy has scored a combined 10 goals and 14 assists (24 points) in 151 games. He will be a key member of the Coyotes’ blueline in 2016-17.

Connor Murphy
The Rangers re-signed restricted free agent Marek Hrivik.

Hrivik, 24, spent most of the 2015-16 season with Hartford (AHL), where he had 41 points (12G / 29A) in 68 games. He also appeared in his first five NHL games, where he had one assist. Hrivik will fight for a roster spot during training camp, but will likely start the year back in Hartford.

Marek Hrivik
The Predators signed Matt Carle to a one-year deal worth $700K.

Carle, 31, had nine points (2G / 7A) in 64 games with the Lightning last season. After spending four years in Tampa Bay, Carle reunites with head coach Peter Laviolette, who he played for during time in Philadelphia (2008-2012). Carle has offensive ability, but has only picked up 27 points (6G / 21A) in 123 games over the last two seasons.

Matt Carle

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!