NHL Hockey Player News

Smith is likely starting tonight for the Coyotes.

Smith played very well last week but his team did not help him out very much. He went 1-1-1 despite posting a 1.62 GAA and .942 SV%. He also recorded a shutout even though he lost, because he held the Blue Jackets scoreless through regulation and a shootout. He has a tough matchup tonight vs. the Kings.

Mike Smith
Call up / Send down
Call up / Send down
Bruins have recalled Ryan Spooner from the Providence Bs.

Spooner has been called up because David Krejci was injured on yesterday and his status for tomorrow's game is unknown. The 21-year-old is enjoying a strong season in the AHL having recorded 45 points in 50 games. His fantasy value goes hand-in-hand with how serious Krejci's injury is. If nothing else it gives the Bruins a chance to see what they have in Spooner.

Ryan Spooner
Babcock said Helm had a setback. They were hoping he'd play Wednesday but now that's a "pipe dream" he said.

It looks like Helm won't be returning for a lengthy period of time. Every time he gets close, he has suffered a setback this season. The 26-year-old's back just will not cooperate the way he would like.

Darren Helm
Niklas Backstrom vs. Roberto Luongo

Backstrom looked shaky in his last start vs. the Avalanche. He gave up four goals on 32 shots but did not look comfortable. He has given up seven goals in his last two starts, but has managed to win both games because of great offensive production. He will go head-to-head with Luongo tonight and the winner of this game will take the outright lead in the Northwest Division.

Niklas Backstrom
Semyon Varlamov, whose save percentage has been under .900 in each of his last three appearances, will start in goal.

Varlamov relieved J.S. Giguere in the Avalanche's last game, he gave up two goals on 12 shots. Varlamov has seen 712 shots this season which is fourth amongst NHL goalies and he has stopped 648 (.910 SV%) of them. He has seen a lot of rubber this season because the Avs are not great defensively. They will face the Blackhawks for the first time since they ended their long point streak tonight.

Semyon Varlamov

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!