NHL Hockey Player News

Dowling cleared waivers on Wednesday and has been loaned to Utica (AHL).

With Curtis Lazar (knee) and Tomas Tatar (undisclosed) returning to the Devils' lineup on Tuesday, Justin Dowling placed on waivers the following day. The 34-year-old Dowling played 21 games this season, scoring three points (2G / 1A) and averaging 8:30 time-on-ice.

Justin Dowling
Vanecek is week-to-week with an upper-body injury.

Vanecek was hit by an arrant puck while on the bench on Tuesday and did not return to the game. The Sharks have recalled Yaroslav Askarov from the San Jose Barracuda (AHL), who likely see some action, sharing the crease with Alexandar Georgiev.

Vitek Vanecek
Demko will start in Utah on Wednesday.

Demko was excellent in his last outing, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche, and will return to the crease for the fourth time in five games. Before Monday's win over Colorado, Demko had battled some adversity in his first two games (0-1-1) since returning from injury, allowing nine goals on 53 shots (.830 SV%). Vancouver enters Wednesday's contest as +111 road underdogs against a Utah team riding a five-game point streak (4-0-1).

Thatcher Demko
Leason will be a healthy scratch vs. Winnipeg on Wednesday.

Ross Johnston draw back into the Ducks lineup on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets, sending Leason to the press box as a healthy scratch. The 25-year-old Leason has been productive from a depth role for the Ducks this season, scoring 10 points (3G / 7A) in 24 games.

Brett Leason
Johnston will draw back into Anaheim's lineup vs. Winnipeg on Wednesday.

Brett Leason will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets, allowing Johnston to re-enter the lineup. The 21-year-old Johnston will return from a one-game absence looking to add to his four points (1G / 3A) through 21 games this season.

Ross Johnston
Bennett is out on Wednesday vs. Minnesota due to illness.

Bennett snapped a season-worst three-game pointless skid with an assist on Monday but will be sidelined due to an illness on Wednesday. The 28-year-old Bennett is pacing for a career-best offensive season, with 27 points (13G / 14A) in 31 games while maintaining his rugged style, recording 39 penalty minutes and 71 hits.

Sam Bennett
Barkov (illness) will be a game-time decision in Minnesota on Wednesday.

Barkov was a late scratch on Saturday due to an illness, and missed a second straight game on Monday. The Panthers will be without Sam Bennett (illness) on Wednesday and can ill-afford to be without Barkov's production again. He has 29 points (9G / 20A) in 22 games this season.

Aleksander Barkov
Bobrovsky will start in Minnesota on Wednesday.

The Panthers will roll with Bobrovsky between the pipes for the fifth time in the last six games. Bobrovsky allowed five goals on 30 shots (.833 SV%) in Florida's previous outing, a 6-5 win over the Edmonton Oilers. The 36-year-old netminder has a 2.97 GAA and .889 SV% in 21 games this season (14-6-1). The Panthers enter Wednesday's contest as -142 road favorites against a Minnesota Wild club without Filip Gustavsson (lower body) in net.

Sergei Bobrovsky
Dostal will start vs. Winnipeg on Wednesday.

The Ducks snapped a five-game losing skid in their previous outing, a 4-3 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets with John Gibson in net, but they will turn to Dostal between the pipes on Wednesday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 24-year-old Dostal has given the Ducks a chance to win on most nights, posting a solid 2.69 GAA and .920 SV% in 17 games (6-8-3). The Ducks enter Wednesday's contest as +139 home underdogs against a Jets team that played last night, defeating the San Jose Sharks 4-3.

Lukas Dostal
Demko is in the starter's crease at Vancouver's morning skate.

Demko was excellent in his last outing, saving 30 of 31 shots (.968 SV%) in a 3-1 win over the Colorado Avalanche, and will return to the crease for the fourth time in five games. Before Monday's win over Colorado, Demko had battled some adversity in his first two games (0-1-1) since returning from injury, allowing nine goals on 53 shots (.830 SV%). Vancouver enters Wednesday's contest as +111 road underdogs against a Utah team riding a five-game point streak (4-0-1).

Thatcher Demko
Gustavsson (lower-body) is day-to-day and has a chance to return on the weekend.

Gustavsson was scheduled to start on Sunday but was unexpectedly sidelined due to a minor lower-body injury. The 26-year-old Gustavsson is amid a Vezina-worthy season, posting a 2.24 GAA and .922 SV% in 22 games (14-5-3) and is not expected to be out of the lineup for long. Marc-Andre Fluery will be between the pipes for Minnesota on Wednesday.

Filip Gustavsson
Fabbro (lower-body) left Tuesday's game in Tampa Bay and did not return.

Fabbro exited Tuesday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning early in the second period after a knee-on-knee collision with Conor Geekie. There is no update on Fabbro's status but he was in clear discomfort while leaving the ice. The 26-year-old defenseman is averaging 19:19 time-on-ice and has seven points (3G / 4A) in 24 games this season.

Dante Fabbro
Harley (illness) is a game-time decision vs. Toronto on Wednesday.

With an illness circulating the Stars locker room, Harley is one of several game-time decisions for the club on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. Harley did not play on Monday and could miss a second straight game on Wednesday. The 23-year-old is averaging 22:18 time-on-ice and has 14 points (4G / 10A) in 14 games this season.

Thomas Harley
Lundkvist (illness) will be a game-time decision vs. Toronto on Wednesday.

With an illness circulating the Stars locker room, Lundkvist is one of several game-time decisions for the club on Wednesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 24-year-old Lundkvist is averaging 14:31 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in 23 games this season. Dallas recalled Alex Petrovic from Texas (AHL) as a precautionary measure.

Nils Lundkvist
Askarov has been recalled from the San Jose Barracuda (AHL).

Vitek Vanecek was hit by an arrant puck while on the bench in Tuesday's game and did not return, meaning he might miss some time given Askaro'v call-up. Askarov was excellent in a two-game stint with the Sharks earlier this season, posting a 1.96 GAA and .927 SV% in two games (1-0-1). The 22-year-old netminder was the 11th overall pick of the Nashville Predators in the 20202 NHL Entry Draft and has been dialed in at the AHL level most of the season, posting a superb 2.00 GAA and .938 SV% in 14 games (9-4-1) with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL).

Yaroslav Askarov
Dumba (upper-body) has been placed on IR retroactive to December 8th.

Dumba has not played since December 8th, missing the last three games. The 30-year-old Dumba has not acclimated to Dallas' system as anticipated, spending lots of time on the third defensive pair after beginning the campaign playing alongside Miro Heiskanen. Dumba has one point (0G / 1A) and is averaging 15:33 time-on-ice, his lowest total since his rookie season. In a corresponding move, Dallas recalled Alex Petrovic from Texas (AHL).

Matt Dumba

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!