NHL Hockey Player News

Lacombe will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday vs. Winnipeg.

Urho Vaakanainen will draw into the Ducks' lineup for his second game of the season, replacing Lacombe. The 23-year-old Lacombe, Anaheim's 39th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft, is averaging 17:01 time-on-ice and has one point (0G / 1A) through six games this season.

Jackson Lacombe
Vaakanainen will draw back into the Ducks' lineup on Tuesday vs. Vancouver.

Jackson Lacombe will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Vaakanainen to re-enter the lineup for the first time since October 13th. The 25-year-old Vaakanainen played 68 games with the Ducks last season but has been limited to only one through 11 games for the Ducks in 2024-25.

Urho Vaakanainen
Dostal will start on Tuesday vs. Vancouver.

Dostal was in the crease in Sunday's 4-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks, allowing four goals on 29 shots (.862 SV%), but the Ducks will not stray away from Dostal, starting for the fourth consecutive game. The 24-year-old Dostal has been heroic at times for the Ducks, boasting an impressive 2.22 GAA and .937 SV% through nine contests (4-3-2), totals that are even more impressive when considering the Ducks are averaging only 2.18 goals per game, fewest in the NHL. The Ducks enter the action on Tuesday as sizeable +204 home underdogs against the Vancouver Canucks, owners of a 5-2-3 record.

Lukas Dostal
Kolyachonok will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday in Winnipeg.

Robert Bortuzzo will draw into Utah's lineup on Tuesday, sending Kolyachonok to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 23-year-old Kolyachonok had played all 12 games for Utah thus far, tallying four points (1G / 3A) and a -7 plus/minus while averaging 13:09 time-on-ice.

Vladislav Kolyachonok
Bortuzzo will draw back into Utah's lineup on Tuesday in Winnipeg.

Vladislav Kolyachonok will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday, allowing Bortuzzo to re-enter the lineup for the first time since October 28th. The 35-year-old Bortuzzo is averaging 12:11 time-on-ice, has zero points, and a -4 plus/minus through five games this season.

Robert Bortuzzo
Vejmelka will start on Tuesday in Winnipeg.

Connor Ingram has started the last four games for Utah HC, but Vejmelka will start on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. In limited action this season, appearing only three times (0-2-0), Vejmelka has a 3.04 GAA and .889 SV%. Utah HC has a .542 point percentage with a 5-4-3 record but has a -5 goal differential, allowing an average of 3.5 goals per game. Utah HC enters the action on Tuesday as +183 road underdogs against the Jets, leading the league with 22 points (11-1-0).

Karel Vejmelka
Goncalves will make his season debut on Tuesday in St. Louis.

With Brayden Point sidelined due to a lower-body injury, Tampa Bay has recalled Goncalves from the Syracuse Crunch (AHL) to make his season debut with Tampa Bay. The 23-year-old Goncalves made his NHL debut last season, playing two games with Tampa Bay, but spent most of the campaign in the AHL, scoring 58 points (13G / 45A) in 69 games with Syracuse.

Gage Goncalves
Annunen will start on Tuesday vs. Seattle.

Annunen has emerged as the most reliable option in the crease for the Avalanche but has allowed seven goals on 53 shots (.868 SV%) in his last two games (1-1-0) and will need a strong outing on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken to solidify his position. In seven appearances this season (4-2-0), the 24-year-old Annunen has a serviceable 2.58 GAA and .899 SV%, which are more impressive when considering the Avalanche allow a league-worst 4.25 goals per game. Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as -175 home favorites against a Seattle club riding a three-game losing skid.

Justus Annunen
Talbot will start on Wednesday in Chicago.

The Red Wings snapped a three-game losing skid in their previous contest, courtesy of a 31-save performance (.969 SV%) by Talbot in a 2-1 win over the Sabres, and will turn to Talbot for a second consecutive start on Wednesday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 37-year-old Talbot has a 2.73 GAA and .923 SV% in six games this season (3-1-1) and has strung together three consecutive quality performances (2-0-1), posting a .934 SV%.

Cam Talbot
Point (undisclosed) is out on Tuesday in St. Louis.

Point played just 3:47 before leaving Sunday's loss in Winnipeg with a lower-body injury. A timeline for his return to action is unclear but recently recalled Gage Concalves will draw into Tampa Bay's lineup in the interim. Before his injury, Point was enjoying another productive campaign, scoring 13 points (8G / 5A) through 12 games.

Brayden Point
Motte (upper-body) will remain out of the Red Wings' lineup on Wednesday in Chicago.

Motte is nearing a return to the lineup but will miss an eighth straight game on Wednesday due to an upper-body injury. The 29-year-old Motte has appeared in four games this season, recording zero points, eight shots, and six hits.

Tyler Motte
Vejmelka was the first goalie off the ice at Utah's morning skate.

Connor Ingram has started the last four games for Utah HC, but Vejmelka will likely start on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. In limited action this season, appearing only three times (0-2-0), Vejmelka has a 3.04 GAA and .889 SV%. Utah HC has a .542 point percentage with a 5-4-3 record but has a -5 goal differential, allowing an average of 3.5 goals per game. Utah HC enters the action on Tuesday as +183 road underdogs against the Jets, leading the league with 22 points (11-1-0).

Karel Vejmelka
Vasilevskiy was the first goalie off the ice at Tampa Bay's morning skate.

Vasilevskiy had the night off in Tampa Bay's previous game, a 7-4 loss to the Winnipeg Jets, but will likely turn to the crease on Tuesday as he attempts to help his team end a two-game losing skid. The 30-year-old Vasilevskiy has been serviceable, albeit unspectacular, to start the 2024-25 campaign, posting a 2.54 GAA and .906 SV% through 10 games 6-4-0. Tampa Bay enters Tuesday's contest as -175 road favorites against a St. Louis Blues club averaging 2.6 goals per game.

Andrei Vasilevskiy
Perunovich will draw back into St. Louis' lineup on Tuesday vs. Tampa Bay.

Perunovich has been in and out of the Blues' lineup the past two weeks but will return for his fourth game of the season on Tuesday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. The 26-year-old Perunovich is averaging 11:15 time-on-ice and has zero points through three games this season.

Scott Perunovich
Swayman will start on Tuesday in Toronto.

The Bruins have posted consecutive shutout victories, one courtesy of Joonas Korpisalo and Jeremy Swayman. That said, the Bruins will turn to Swayman between the pipes on Tuesday as he looks to string together consecutive quality starts for only the second time this season. The 25-year-old Swayman has an uncharacteristic 3.16 GAA and .895 SV% through nine games (4-4-1). The Bruins enter the action on Tuesday as +115 road underdogs against a Toronto Maple Leafs club without Auston Matthews (upper body).

Jeremy Swayman
Luukkonen will start on Tuesday vs. Ottawa.

The Sabres will turn to Luukkonen between the pipes on Tuesday for the sixth time in the last seven games. Luukkonen has lost two straight but was solid in his previous outing, allowing two goals on 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 2-1 loss to the Detroit Red Wings. The 25-year-old Luukkonen will look to improve on his 3.16 GAA and .893 SV% through eight games this season (3-4-1). The Sabres enter the action on Tuesday as slight -100 underdogs against the Ottawa Senators, sporting a 6-5-0 record through 11 games this season.

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Annunen is expected to start on Tuesday vs. Seattle.

Annunen has emerged as the most reliable option in the crease for the Avalanche but has allowed seven goals on 53 shots (.868 SV%) in his last two games (1-1-0) and will need a strong outing on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken to solidify his position. In seven appearances this season (4-2-0), the 24-year-old Annunen has a serviceable 2.58 GAA and .899 SV%, which are more impressive when considering the Avalanche allow a league-worst 4.25 goals per game. Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as -175 home favorites against a Seattle club riding a three-game losing skid.

Justus Annunen
Raty has been recalled from Abbotsford (AHL).

Raty has played three games with Vancouver this season, scoring one point (0G / 1A), but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in Abbotsford (AHL), tallying seven points (3G / 4A) in eight games. The 21-year-old Raty was the 52nd overall pick of the New York Islanders in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft.

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

Bains has been serviceable in Vancouver this season, scoring one goal in seven games, but continues to be a part of paper transactions sending him back to Abbotsford (AHL) due to salary cap implications. Last season with Abbotsford (AHL), Bains was an offensive stalwart, producing 55 points (16G / 39A) in 59 games, but the 23-year-old has played exclusively at the NHL level this season.

Arshdeep Bains

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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