NHL Hockey Player News

Kelly has been placed on long-term injured reserve after sustaining a fractured right fibula in the second period of the Bruins/Penguins game on Saturday.

Kelly is expected to miss four to six weeks. Ryan Spooner and Matt Fraser have been recalled from Providence.

Chris Kelly
Call up / Send down
Call up / Send down
The Bruins have recalled Matt Fraser.

Fraser is in his first year with the Bruins organization after spending 2011-13 with the Dallas Stars. In 23 games with Providence he has 16 goals and five assists (21 points). He will make his Bruins debut tonight vs. Toronto, in 13 career NHL games he has on goal and two assists.

Matt Fraser
Call up / Send down
Call up / Send down
The Bruins have recalled Ryan Spooner.

In two games with the Bruins this season Spooner has two assists. While with Providence he has recorded 24 points (5G / 19A) in 21 games. He will slide right into the lineup tonight vs. Toronto.

Ryan Spooner
McQuaid (lower-body) has been placed on IR.

McQuaid has missed the last two games and this move allows the Bruins to recall a forward that they so desperately need after losing Chris Kelly, Loui Eriksson and Shawn Thornton last night. He is eligible to return whenever he is healthy so consider him questionable for Tuesday.

Adam McQuaid
Bernier is expected to get the nod for the Maple Leafs.

Bernier allowed two goals on 50 shots in a win over the Stars on Thursday. He continues to see a ton of rubber on a nightly basis, he has seen an average of 45.6 shots in his last three starts. He will go up against a Bruins team who lost three starters in last night's 3-2 win over Pittsburgh.

Jonathan Bernier
Kimmo Timonen suffered an upper-body injury late in the second period of Saturday afternoon’s 5-1 slaughter of the Flyers at the hands of the Dallas Stars

He took a crosscheck from Jamie Benn that period and did not return. Timonen is listed as day to day. “I’ve seen better days,” Timonen said. He denied he was injured during the crosscheck, but would not elaborate on how it occurred.

Kimmo Timonen
No surprise Crawford is off first and he will go vs. Florida.

Crawford allowed four goals on 23 shots in a loss to the Wild on Thursday. After winning four straight, Crawford has lost two in a row while allowing four goals in each contest. He will be back in goal with a great matchup vs. the Panthers.

Corey Crawford
Bruins forward Chris Kelly suffered broken ankle from Pascal Dupuis' slash last night.

Kelly will definitely miss multiple weeks with a broken ankle. Expect the Bruins to make a few roster moves after all of the injuries that were suffered last night.

Chris Kelly
Niemi starts for the Sharks.

Niemi was yanked after allowing four goals on 27 shots in a 5-1 loss to the Penguins on Thursday. The loss snapped a six-game winning streak for the Finnish netminder. He will be back in goal tonight against the Wild. Minnesota is a great home team, but Niemi is no slouch on the road posting a 6-3-3 record with a 2.34 GAA and .916 SV%.

Antti Niemi
Lupul (groin) is taking part in the Leafs optional skate.

Lupul has missed the last six games with a groin injury, but his participation in the optional skate suggests there is a chance that he suits up tonight vs. Buffalo. Monitor his status throughout the day.

Joffrey Lupul
Neal will have a discipline phone hearing Monday.

Neal is facing discipline for a deliberate knee to the head of Bruins forward Brad Marchand. Neal's actions led to Shawn Thornton's sucker punch on Brooks Orpik. Neal went out of his way to land the ugly knee, he was given a penalty on the play and will likely be forced to serve a couple game suspension for his actions.

James Neal
Orpik was removed from the ice on a stretcher after he was taken to the ice, then punched in the head while prone by Bruins winger Shawn Thornton.

Orpik was taken to Massachusetts General Hospital where he was alert and conscious. He was scheduled to accompany teammates on a return flight to Pittsburgh, coach Dan Bylsma said. “I think he was out (unconscious) on the ice for a period of time, and I think that means he's got a concussion,” Bylsma said, adding that Orpik underwent a battery of tests and will be re-evaluated in Pittsburgh. Orpik, per club policy on injured players, was not available for comment.

Brooks Orpik
According to Alain Vigneault, Marc Staal got hit to the chin, immediately "didn't feel quite right". No update beyond that

Staal was able to skate off under his own power but did not return to the game. It has the sounds of a possible concussion and he seems doubtful to play tonight vs. Washington. Monitor his status as puck-drop draws near.

Marc Staal
Thornton will have an in-person hearing for the sucker punch he landed on Brooks Orpik last night - he will not travel to Toronto for Sunday's game.

Thornton tugged Orpik down after a whistle and punched him when he was on his back. The surrounding Penguins players immediately called for the trainer as Orpik was clearly in distress. Thornton is likely looking at a lengthy suspension.

Shawn Thornton
Kelly suffered a lower-body injury on Saturday and will not travel to play on Sunday.

Kelly was injured in the third on Saturday and will not play against the Maple Leafs tonight. Consider him day-to-day, as the Bruins will likely have to make some roster moves with Kelly and Loui Eriksson out of tonight's lineup.

Chris Kelly
Eriksson suffered a concussion on his first shift on Saturday.

Eirksson already missed an extended period of time from a concussion earlier this season, so a second one in the same season is bad news. Don't expect Eriksson to be on the ice in the near future as the Bruins will likely be very delicate with this situation.

Loui Eriksson
Call up / Send down
Call up / Send down
Matt Nieto and Freddie Hamilton have been recalled from Worcester, while tough guy Matt Pelech was reassigned to the team’s AHL affiliate.

Hamilton was scoreless in four games for the Sharks in late October. He made his NHL debut on October 21 in Detroit. In 15 games with Worcester, Hamilton has six goals and four assists.

Freddie Hamilton
Matt Nieto and Freddie Hamilton have been recalled from Worcester, while tough guy Matt Pelech was reassigned to the team’s AHL affiliate.

Nieto made the opening night roster and tallied two goals and four assists in 19 games as a rookie. He was reassigned to Worcester on November 26, and on Friday night against Portland, had two goals and three assists in an 8-2 Worcester win. It was one of just two games he played for the minor league Sharks.

Matthew Nieto

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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