NHL Hockey Player News

Byfuglien (lower-body) did not participate in Friday's practice.

The Jets fully expected Byfuglien to be back for Saturday's contest vs. the Hurricanes, but his absence this morning suggests he might not be available. Monitor his status during tomorrow's morning skate. If he is on the ice, there is a good chance that he will play.

Dustin Byfuglien
Pavelec (lower-body) is not skating this morning.

Pavelec was only supposed to miss 2-3 games, but after missing the last three games and not skating this morning, his status for Saturday's game is in question. Expect Al Montoya to make his fourth consecutive start.

Ondrej Pavelec
Crawford gets the nod vs. Carolina.

Crawford stopped all 23 shots he faced in a 4-0 statement win over the Blues on Wednesday. It was Crawford's 27th win and second shutout of the season. He has won four of his last five while posting a spectacular 1.21 GAA and .948 SV%. He should make for a strong start vs. and up-and-down Hurricanes team.

Corey Crawford
Brodeur will start in goal Saturday vs. the Rangers.

Brodeur gave up four goals on 31 shots in a 4-2 loss to the Bruins on Tuesday. After winning four in a row, Brodeur has dropped each of his last two starts with a 3.59 GAA and .889 SV%. Brodeur is 2-1-0 with a 4.09 GAA and .863 SV% in three starts vs. the Rangers this season.

Martin Brodeur
Varlamov will be in goal vs. the Bruins.

Varlamov was given Tuesday and Wednesday off in favour of J.S Giguere starting in his hometown and Reto Berra making his Avalanche debut. Tonight, he will be back between the pipes vs. Boston. He is coming off of a 38-save performance, where he saw his shutout snapped in the dying second of Wednesday's win over the Sens.

Semyon Varlamov
Bernier (groin) could be available over the weekend.

Updating an earlier report. Today was the first time that Bernier has taken part in a full practice since suffering a groin strain. It was not believed that he would be able to play in this weekend's back-to-back set, but now he is looking more questionable that doubtful. His status will be determined on Saturday morning.

Jonathan Bernier
Ranger (neck) did not skate on Friday.

Ranger has a stiff neck, but no concussion concerns according to head coach Carlyle. That is great news for Ranger after a scary collision on Wednesday. He likely won't be in the lineup during this weekend's back-to-back set, but should not be out of the lineup for long.

Bickell (undisclosed) will not play Friday.

Coach Quenneville said that Bickell's injury is not serious and he should not miss an extended period of time. Consider him day-to-day. The Blackhawks will dress seven defensemen with Bickell, Brandon Saad and Patrick Kane all out.

Bryan Bickell
Crawford was the first goalie off of the ice at the Blackhawks morning skate.

Crawford stopped all 23 shots he faced in a 4-0 statement win over the Blues on Wednesday. It was Crawford's 27th win and second shutout of the season. He has won four of his last five while posting a spectacular 1.21 GAA and .948 SV%. He should make for a strong start vs. and up-and-down Hurricanes team.

Corey Crawford
Teravainen was officially recalled from Jokerit of SM-Liija in Finland, as the Blackhawks prepare to host the Carolina Hurricanes Friday.

It is very unlikely that Teravainen will be in the lineup on Friday, but with the injury to Patrick Kane (knee), it definitely opens the door for the talented Finn to potentially move into a top-6 role relatively quickly. He is undersized, but tremendously skilled, something other NHL teams probably don't think the Blackhawks need.

Teuvo Teravainen
Bernier (groin) was a full participant at Leafs' practice this morning.

Bernier has missed the last three games with a groin strain that he suffered on March 13th. Just because he was back at practice, groin injuries, especially for goalies, require a lot of patience. The Leafs are in action on Saturday and Sunday, but don't expect to see Bernier between the pipes just yet. However, this is a great step for the Leafs' number-1.

Jonathan Bernier
Bolland (ankle) is skating on a line with David Clarkson and Mason Raymond and Mason Raymond at Maple Leafs practice.

This is the first time that Bolland has skated on a regular line at practice, a really good sign that he could be back in the lineup on Saturday. Bolland has been sidelined since November 2nd after severing his achilles tendon. Expect a full injury update after practice.

Dave Bolland
The Blackhawks have placed Kane (knee) on long-term injured reserve, he is done for the rest of the regular season.

Kane's placement on LTIR means he has to miss the next 24 days of play which spans until the end of the regular season for the Hawks. If you are in a one-year format, Kane can be dropped. The Blackhawks are confident that Kane will be ready to go for game-1 of the playoffs. Teuvo Teravainen will join the Blackhawks today, could be a fill-in for the injured Kane.

Patrick Kane
Quick leads the Kings onto the ice for warmups; he starts.

Quick allowed four goals on 27 shots in a loss to the Coyotes on Monday. He has lost each of his last two starts while allowing seven goals on 56 shots (.875 SV%). Tonight, he will take on a Capitals team who have won three in a row while outscoring their opponents 11-7.

Jonathan Quick
Bishop leads the Lightning onto the ice for warmups; he starts vs. Lehner and the Sens.

Bishop stopped 36 of 39 shots in a win over the Maple Leafs last night. After losing four in a row, Bishop has now won his last four earning him the start on back-to-back nights. He will face a Senators team who's playoff hopes are dwindling after losing four in a row and six of seven.

Ben Bishop
Thomas leads the Stars onto the ice for warmups; he starts.

Thomas allowed four goals on 17 shots before being pulled on Sunday. He has a 3.32 GAA and .892 SV% in his first four appearances with the Stars. Tonight, he will get the call against the Flyers after Kari Lehtonen allowed five on Tuesday. Philly has won three in a row and six of their last eight.

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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