1-year, $1,025,000 contract with the Washington Capitals. Expires 2027 (RFA).
Source:
2026-05-07T23:59:00.000Z
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NHL Hockey Player News
1-year, $850,000 contract with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Expires 2027 (RFA).
Source:2026-05-07T23:59:00.000Z
Dvorak (undisclosed) will play in Game 3 against the Hurricanes.
Dvorak is battling an undisclosed injury, but will remain in the lineup for Game Three against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 30-year-old forward is averaging 18:43 time-on-ice, recording 16 hits and three assists through eight games this postseason.
Goalie Start
Vladar will start Game 3 against the Hurricanes.
Vladar was tremendous in Game Two against the Carolina Hurricanes, saving 39 of 42 shots (.929 SV%), but eventually allowed the game-deciding goal late in the first overtime period in a 3-2 loss. The 28-year-old Czech goalie has piggybacked off of a stellar 2025-26 season by posting an impressive 1.89 GAA and .928 SV% in eight games this postseason (4-4). That said, the Flyers will need Vladar at his best on Thursday, desperate to narrow their series deficit to 2-1, entering Game Three as +148 home underdogs.
Goalie Start
Andersen will start Game 3 in Philadelphia.
Despite coming off of unquestionably the worst regular season of his career, Andersen continues to impress in the 2025-26 postseason. The veteran 36-year-old goalie was outstanding once again in Game two against the Philadelphia Flyers, saving 34 of 36 shots (.944 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime win to give his team a 2-0 series lead. In six games this postseason (6-0), he has a near-perfect 1.02 GAA and .958 SV%. The Hurricanes hope to take a commanding 3-0 series lead, entering Game Three as -163 road favourites.
Utah has signed Yegor Borikov to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Borikov was a fourth-round pick, 110th overall, by the Utah Mammoth in the 2025 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old forward spent the previous season in the KHL, where he scored 30 points (16G / 14A) in 59 games with Minsk Dynamo.
Line Change
Reilly is expected to be a healthy scratch for Game 3 vs. Philadelphia.
Alexander Nikishin (concussion) will return to Carolina's lineup for Game Three, sending Reilly to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. In two games this postseason, the 32-year-old Reilly is averaging 12:55 time-on-ice and has two assists.
Nikishin (concussion) is expected to draw back into Carolina’s lineup for Game 3.
Nikishin has not played since receiving a thunderous hit from Tyler Kleven of the Ottawa Senators nearly two weeks ago. That said, Nikishin should return to the lineup for Game Three against the Philadelphia Flyers. Mike Reilly will exit the lineup to accommodate Nikishin's return.
Goalie Start
Andersen is in the starter’s crease ahead of Game 3 vs. Philadelphia.
Despite coming off of unquestionably the worst regular season of his career, Andersen continues to impress in the 2025-26 postseason. The veteran 36-year-old goalie was outstanding once again in Game two against the Philadelphia Flyers, saving 34 of 36 shots (.944 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime win to give his team a 2-0 series lead. In six games this postseason (6-0), he has a near-perfect 1.02 GAA and .958 SV%. The Hurricanes hope to take a commanding 3-0 series lead, entering Game Three as -163 road favourites.
Washington has signed Petr Sikora to a three-year, entry-level contract ($995,000 AAV).
Sikora was a sixth-round pick of the Washington Capitals in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 20-year-old Czech forward has spent the past three seasons playing in Czechia. He scored nine points (3G / 6A) this season in 24 games with Trinec Ocelari HC.
Washington has signed Theodor Niederbach to a one-year, two-way contract worth $1.25M.
Niederbach was a second-round pick, 51st overall, of the Detroit Red Wings in the 2020 NHL Entry Draft. The 24-year-old Swedish forward has spent his career playing in the Swedish Hockey League. He scored 32 points (13G / 19A) this season in 52 games with Frolunda HC.
Tippett (undisclosed) will not play in Game 3 vs. Carolina.
The Flyers, trailing their series to the Carolina Hurricanes 2-0, are desperate for a win in Game Three, but will unfortunately be without Tippett for a third consecutive contest. The 27-year-old Tippett remains day-to-day, with his next chance to return being in Game Four on Saturday.
Goalie Start
Vladar is expected to start Game 3 vs. the Hurricanes.
Vladar was tremendous in Game Two against the Carolina Hurricanes, saving 39 of 42 shots (.929 SV%), but eventually allowed the game-deciding goal late in the first overtime period in a 3-2 loss. The 28-year-old Czech goalie has piggybacked off of a stellar 2025-26 season by posting an impressive 1.89 GAA and .928 SV% in eight games this postseason (4-4). That said, the Flyers will need Vladar at his best on Thursday, desperate to narrow their series deficit to 2-1, entering Game Three as +148 home underdogs.
Dvorak (lower-body) is expected to play in Game 3 vs. Carolina.
Dvorak is battling an undisclosed injury, but should remain in the lineup for Game Three against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 30-year-old forward is averaging 18:43 time-on-ice, recording 16 hits and three assists through eight games this postseason.
Pittsburgh has signed Connor Dewar to a two-year contract worth $2.25 Million AAV.
Dewar is coming off of his best NHL season and has been rewarded with a two-year contract extension. The 26-year-old forward averaged 13:55 time-on-ice and scored 30 points (14G / 16A) in 78 games this season.
Pittsburgh has signed Ilya Soloyev to a one-year, $800,000 contract.
Solovyov was acquired mid-season in a trade from the Colorado Avalanche, and had a more prominent role after joining the Penguins. The 25-year-old defenseman averaged 14:06 time-on-ice, recording five assists, 14 blocks, and 16 hits in 14 games with Pittsburgh.
Goalie Start
Hart will start Game 2 against the Ducks.
Hart was tremendous in Vegas' 3-1 win over the Anaheim Ducks in Game One, saving 33 of 34 shots (.971 SV%). The 27-year-old Hart has had an up-and-down postseason, but he is riding a four-game winning streak, improving his numbers to 2.49 GAA and .905 SV% in seven games (5-2). The Golden Knights enter Game Two as -152 home favourites.
Carrick (left arm) will not play in Game 1 against the Canadiens.
Carrick suffered a left arm injury in a fight with Anders Lee of the New York Islanders on March 31st and has not played since. The 34-year-old has 16 points (9G / 7A) and 65 penalty minutes in 73 games this season. He was originally expected to be be out for the entire second round of the playoffs, but appears to be targeting a sooner return after recent progress.
Goalie Start
Lyon will start Game 1 against the Canadiens.
Lyon struggled towards the end of the regular season, but has been tremendous since taking over for Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen late in Game Two against the Boston Bruins. The 33-year-old Lyon has been near perfect this postseason, posting a stellar 1.14 GAA and .955 SV% in five appearances (3-1). Lyon hopes to continue his recent success, as the Sabres enter Game One against the Montreal Canadiens as -126 home favourites.
Goalie Start
Dobes will start Game 1 in Buffalo.
Dobes was the standout performer in a deciding Game 7 against the Lightning, as the Canadiens pulled off a 2-1 victory despite being outshot 29 to 9. Dobes' Game 7 heroics highlight what was a very impressive opening round series for the 24-year-old netminder. He posted a 4-1-2 record to go along with a 2.03 GAA and a .923 SV%. The Habs open up their second-round series against the Sabres as slight underdogs, as they enter action on Wednesday at +115 on the money line.
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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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