NHL Hockey Player News

Buffalo has claimed James Reimer off of waivers from Anaheim.

Reimer was signed by the Anaheim Ducks in the offseason and played two games with them (0-2-0), recording a 4.50 GAA and .864 SV%. The veteran Reimer provides some goaltending depth for a Sabres club that is temporarily without starting goalie Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen (undisclosed).

James Reimer
Martinez (groin) is a possibility to return to Chicago's lineup in Seattle on Thursday.

Martinez has not played since the fourth game of the season, missing 12 straight, but appears to inching closer to a return. The veteran 37-year-old defenseman is averaging 21:02 time-on-ice through four games this season and has tallied one assist, 15 blocks, and one hit.

Alec Martinez
Georgiev will start vs. Los Angeles on Wednesday.

After a stretch of only playing one of eight games, resulting from a horrendous start of allowing three or more goals in his first five games (1-3-0) and posting a .810 SV%, Georgiev has started three straight (2-1-0), allowing seven goals combined and posting a solid .921 SV%. The Avalanche are riding a two-game winning streak and enter the action on Wednesday as -139 home favorites against a Los Angeles Kings club that has lost two of their past three (1-2-0).

Alexandar Georgiev
Walman (upper-body) will be a game-time decision on Thursday in New York.

Walman ha been a game-time decision the previous two games and will be again on Thursday. The 28-year-old Walman has been productive from the blueline in his first season with the Sharks, scoring nine points (1G / 8A) in 13 games, highlighted by seven points (1G / 6A) in his last four contests.

Jake Walman
Oesterle has been recalled from Providence (AHL).

Oesterle has spent the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign in Providence (AHL) but could make his Boston Bruins debut after being recalled on Wednesday, possibly an indication that Hampus Lindholm (lower body) will not be ready to play. The 32-year-old Oesterle has 371 games of NHL experience, recording 86 points (19G / 67A).

Jordan Oesterle
Brodin (maintenance) missed practice on Wednesday and is questionable for Thursday vs. Montreal.

Brodin exited Sunday's 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks after playing 16:38 time-on-ice due to an unspecified injury. The 31-year-old Bordin is averaging 22:04 time-on-ice, second most among Minnesota defensemen, and has six points (1G / 5A) in 15 games this season.

Jonas Brodin
Gustavsson will start vs. Montreal on Thursday.

Minnesota will turn to Gustavsson between the pipes for the sixth time in the last seven games on Thursday when they host the Montreal Canadiens. Gustavsson was on the wrong end of a 2-1 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks in his previous outing but was solid in the effort, saving 20 of 22 shots (.909 SV%). The 26-year-old Gustavsson has a 2.27 GAA and .919 SV% in 11 games this season (7-2-2).

Filip Gustavsson
Raty has been reassigned to Abbotsford (AHL).

Raty played four straight for Vancouver but has been reassigned to the Abbotsford Canucks (AHL). The 21-year-old Raty was the 52nd overall pick of the New York Islanders in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. He has seven points (3G / 4A) in eight AHL games with Abbotsford this season.

Aatu Raty
Bains has been reassigned to Abbotsford (AHL).

Bains has spent most of the 2024-25 season with Vancouver but has continually been a part of paper transactions, sending him down to Abbotsford (AHL), due to salary cap implications. The 23-year-old Bains is averaging 11:30 time-on-ice and has one point (1G / 0A) in eight games this season.

Arshdeep Bains
Georgiev is expected to start vs. Los Angeles on Wednesday.

After a stretch of only playing one of eight games, resulting from a horrendous start of allowing three or more goals in his first five games (1-3-0) and posting a .810 SV%, Georgiev has started three straight (2-1-0), allowing seven goals combined and posting a solid .921 SV%. The Avalanche are riding a two-game winning streak and enter the action on Wednesday as -139 home favorites against a Los Angeles Kings club that has lost two of their past three (1-2-0).

Alexandar Georgiev
Stezka has been reassigned to Coachella Valley (AHL).

Stezka has served as the backup to Joey Daccord the past couple games since Philipp Grubauer (undisclosed) has been sidelined with an injury. Stezka's reassignment to the AHL could be a sign that Grubauer is nearing a return, but could also just be a paper transaction ahead of Seattle's next game on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 27-year-old Stezka has a 3.61 GAA and .881 SV% in six games with Coachella Valley (AHL) this season.

Ales Stezka
Montembeault will start in Minnesota on Thursday.

Montembeault saved all four shots he faced after entering Monday's exciting 7-5 victory over the Buffalo Sabres and was the goalie of record, recording the victory after relieving Cayden Primeau. The 28-year-old Montebeault has had an inconsistent 2024-25 season, recording a 3.42 GAA and .890 SV% in 12 games (4-7-1). Montembeault and the Canadiens will be heavily tested on Thursday, facing off against the Minnesota Wild and their top-10 offense, averaging 3.5 goals per game.

Sam Montembeault
Hakanpaa has been recalled from his LTIR conditioning loan and been activated from the LTIR.

Hakanpaa has returned from a two-game conditioning stint with the Toronto Marlies (AHL) and his Maple Leafs debut appears to be approaching. The 32-year-old Hakanpaa, in his first season as a Maple Leaf, missed an extended portion of last season with the Dallas Stars due to injuries that continued into the beginning of the 2024-25 campaign.

Jani Hakanpaa
Samuelsson (lower-body) is considered week-to-week.

Samuelsson made his return to the lineup from a three-game absence on Monday but exited the contest after only 6:49 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. Before his injury, the 24-year-old Samuelsson was averaging 16:52 time-on-ice and had one point (1G / 0A) in 12 games this season. He is expected to be out of the lineup on a week-to-week basis.

Mattias Samuelsson
Luukkonen (undisclosed) missed practice on Wednesday and is considered day-to-day.

Luukkonen struggled in the Sabres' previous outing, allowing four goals on 18 shots (.778 SV%), before being relieved by Devon Levi in an eventual 7-5 loss to the Montreal Canadiens. Luukkonen has a 2.83 GAA and .903 SV% in 12 contests (6-4-1) and had started five straight (3-2-0). If Luukkonen misses any time, expect Levi to control the Sabres crease in the interim.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Thompson (undisclosed) missed practice on Wednesday and is considered day-to-day.

Thompson scored a goal on Monday, extending his goal-scoring streak to four games, but exited the contest after only 6:49 time-on-ice due to a lower-body injury. The 27-year-old Thompson has been off to a terrific start to the 2024-25 campaign, with 18 points (11G / 7A) in 15 games, and will be sorely missed by the Sabres if he misses any time.

Tage Thompson
Motte will be a healthy scratch in Pittsburgh on Wednesday.

Motte made his return from an upper-body injury on Saturday, playing 11:25 time-on-ice, but will be a healthy scratch on Wednesday, allowing Joe Veleno to draw back into the lineup. The 29-year-old Motte has been limited to only five games this season, averaging 11:18 time-on-ice, tallying six hits and 11 shots.

Tyler Motte

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.

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