Line Change
Boyd will be a healthy scratch in Anaheim on Friday.
NHL Hockey Player News
Line Change
Johnson will make Wild debut on Friday in Anaheim.
Johnson will play his first game with Minnesota after signing with the team in the off-season. He scored two goals and added three assists in 42 games with the Blackhawks last season, and has totaled nine points in 18 AHL games this season.
Goalie Start
Gustavsson will start in Anaheim on Friday.
Minnesota has won four straight and will roll with Gustavsson between the pipes on Friday against the Anaheim Ducks. Gustavsson has been tremendous this season, making a case for the Vezina trophy with a sublime 2.04 GAA and .929 SV% through 19 games this season (12-4-3). Minnesota enters Friday's contest as -191 road favorites against an Anaheim club they defeated 5-2 on November 8th when Gustavsson saved 33 of 35 shots (.943 SV%).
Anaheim has acquired Jacob Trouba from New York for Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round pick.
Trade talks have surrounded Trouba since the offseason and a deal has finally landed, sending him to the Anaheim Ducks. The 30-year-old Trouba was the captain of the Rangers, averaging 20:00 time-on-ice, and recording six points (0G / 6A), 68 blocks, and 39 hits in 24 games. Trouba will have one year remaining in his contract after the conclusion of the 2024-25 season.
New York has acquired Urho Vaakanainen and a 2025 fourth-round pick from Anaheim for Jacob Trouba.
Vaakanainen was limited to only five games with the Ducks this season, scoring one point (0G / 1A), and will get a fresh start with the New York Rangers. The 25-year-old Vaakanainen was the 18th overall pick of the Boston Bruins in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. He played a career-high 68 games with the Ducks last season, tallying 14 points (1G / 13A).
Edmonton has acquired Jacob Perreault from Montreal for Noel Hoefenmayer.
Perreault was the 27th overall pick of the Anaheim Ducks in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. He made his NHL debut in the 2021-22 season, playing one game with the Ducks, but has not played since. He has five points (1G / 4A) in five games with the Trois-Rivieres Lions (ECHL) this season.
Montreal has acquired Noel Hoefenmayer from Edmonton for Jacob Perreault.
Hoefenmayer was a fourth-round pick, 108th overall, of the Arizona Coyotes in the 2017 NHL Entry Draft. The 25-year-old defenseman has yet to play an NHL game and has seven points (1G / 6A) in 11 games with the Bakersfield Condors (AHL) this season.
Goalie Start
Hill will start vs. Dallas on Friday.
The Golden Knights have won two straight and will turn to Hill between the pipes on Friday night against the Dallas Stars. Hill saved all 28 shots he faced in his previous outing, a 1-0 win over the Edmonton Oilers, for his second shutout of the season. The 28-year-old Hill has a 2.67 GAA and .900 SV% through 17 games (11-4-2) this season. The Golden Knights enter Friday's contest as +112 road underdogs against a Stars club that has won three of their last four (3-1-0).
Goalie Start
Oettinger will start in Vegas on Friday.
The Stars gave up three unanswered goals in a 3-2 loss to the Los Angeles Kings on Wednesday and will look to return to the win column on Friday against the Vegas Golden Knights. Oettinger allowed three goals on 17 shots (.824 SV%) in Wednesday's losing effort but has been reliable most of the season, posting a 2.41 GAA and .912 SV% in 18 games (13-5-0). The Stars enter Friday's contest as -124 road favorites against a Golden Knights club welcoming Mark Stone (lower body) back into their lineup.
$125 Waivers
Carolina has placed Brendan Lemieux on waivers for the purpose of mutual contract termination.
Lemieux was the 31st overall pick of the Buffalo Sabres in the 2014 NHL Draft but has spent the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, scoring two points (2G / 0A) in 12 games with the Chicago Wolves. The 28-year-old has played 307 career NHL games, scoring 74 points (36G / 38A) and racking up 548 penalty minutes.
Schwindt will be a healthy scratch vs. Dallas on Friday.
With Mark Stone returning from a lower-body injury, Schwindt will be a healthy scratch to accommodate his return. The 23-year-old Schwindt is averaging 9:55 time-on-ice and has six points (0G / 6A) in 24 games this season.
Demko (knee) will return and backup Kevin Lankinen on Friday vs. Columbus.
Demko has not played yet this season due to a knee injury and will make his debut on Friday, serving as the backup to Kevin Lankinen. The 28-year-old Demko was tremendous for the Canucks last season, posting a career-best 2.45 GAA and .918 SV% in 51 games (35-14-2). The Canucks next game will be on Sunday afternoon against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Goalie Start
Lankinen will start vs. Columbus on Friday.
Lankinen was on the wrong end of a 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, allowing three goals on 29 shots (.897 SV%), but will return to the crease for a fourth straight game on Friday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 29-year-old Lankinen is sporting a solid 2.66 GAA and .906 SV% through 18 games this season (12-3-3). The Canucks enter Friday's contest as sizeable -209 home favorites against a Blue Jackets club that lost 6-3 to the Edmonton Oilers last night.
Stone (lower-body) is expected to return vs. Dallas on Friday.
Stone has not played since November 6th, missing 14 games with a lower-body injury. Before his injury, the 32-year-old Stone was off to a monstrous start to the 2024-25 season, among the league leaders, with 21 points (6G / 15A) in 13 games.
Goalie Start
Lankinen is in the starter's crease at Vancouver's morning skate on Friday.
Lankinen was on the wrong end of a 3-2 loss to the Minnesota Wild on Tuesday, allowing three goals on 29 shots (.897 SV%), but will return to the crease for a fourth straight game on Friday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. The 29-year-old Lankinen is sporting a solid 2.66 GAA and .906 SV% through 18 games this season (12-3-3). The Canucks enter Friday's contest as sizeable -209 home favorites against a Blue Jackets club that lost 6-3 to the Edmonton Oilers last night.
McGinn (lower-body) is expected to return to Anaheim's lineup vs. Minnesota on Friday.
McGinn has not played since suffering a lower-body injury on November 18th. The 30-year-old has six points (3G / 3A) and is averaging 11:44 time-on-ice through 17 games this season.
Line Change
Hutton is expected to be a healthy scratch on Saturday vs. Carolina.
Dennis Cholowski will draw back into the Islanders' lineup on Saturday, resulting in Hutton being a healthy scratch. The 29-year-old Hutton is averaging 13:35 time-on-ice and has two points (0G / 2A) in 11 games this season.
Line Change
Cholowski is expected to draw back into New York's lineup vs. Carolina on Saturday.
Grant Hutton will be a healthy scratch on Saturday, allowing Cholowski to re-enter the lineup. The 26-year-old Cholowski has played well when called upon this season, averaging 12:11 time-on-ice, recording six points (2G / 4A), and a +5 plus/minus.
Barzal (upper-body) has been skating on his own.
Barzal has not played since suffering an upper-body injury at the end of October but has be actively skating on his own. After a stellar 2023-24 season, scoring 80 points (23G / 57A) in 80 games, Barzal started the 2024-25 campaign slowly, with only five points (2G / 3A) in 10 games.
Line Change
Nieto is expected to be a healthy scratch in New York on Friday.
Cody Glass (concussion) will return to the lineup on Friday, resulting in Nieto being a healthy scratch. The 32-year-old Nieto is averaging 11:59 time-on-ice and has zero points through nine games this season.
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!