Jimmy Howard says hoping to play Friday
Howard clearly won't play tonight but should be back this week. Check the starting goalies page for the most up-to-date information.
NHL Hockey Player News
No Franzen tonight, according to Mike Babcock.
Franzen skating is certainly a good sign although he is not expected to play tonight. The Red Wings' scorer has 26 goals and 53 points in 71 games.
Injury
Joel Ward was off crutches Friday but still wasn't available to play for the Washington Capitals on Sunday. By Monday, he was good enough to skate and joined his teammates for practice.
Ward continues to progress and should draw back into the lineup shortly. He has six goals and 18 points through 72 games.
Nicklas Backstrom skating w Caps teammates in 4th line white.
Backstrom continues to skate and took his first practice in since getting hurt. He should be an option to play again during the regular season.
Line Change
Stralman is with Del Zotto
Look for Stralman to get back in the lineup shortly. He has two goals and 16 points in 46 games.
Line Change
#NYR defense pairings today see Tim Erixon skating on extra pair with Jeff Woywitka
Sounds like Erixon will be a healthy scratch. The rookie has two assists through 18 games.
Line Change
#NYR Fedotenko on line with Brian Boyle and Brandon Dubinsky for practice this morning
Dubinsky is moved from the fourth line to the third. The enigmatic forward now has nine goals and 30 points in 70 games.
All healthy players taking part in #NYR practice; Steve Eminger remains off the ice...
Eminger remains out with an undisclosed injury. The veteran scored two goals and five points in 42 games.
Andrew Yogan, 4th round pick in 2010 playing for Connecticut (AHL) on an ATO, agrees to contract with Rangers. Florida native.
Yogan will get his feet wet at the AHL level for the rest of the year before beginning his ELC next season.
#Caps spokesman says John Erskine is day-to-day with a lower body injury
Erskine hasn't played since February 12th. The depth defender holds no fantasy hockey value.
Line Change
#Caps Forward Lines: 8-21-20
Brouwer is practicing on the top line again. The power forward has 18 goals and 32 points in 76 games.
Peoria Captain Adam Cracknell has agreed to a one-year two-way extension worth $550/$105 with a guarantee of $180,000 #Blues
Cracknell is a good player to keep in the system as he can fill in on the fourth line in St. Louis or help mentor the kids in Peoria. Having said that, he has no fantasy hockey value.
Goalie Start
Bryz had total day off yesterday. He goes tonight.
In six career starts against the Bolts, Bryzgalov has a 3-2-1 record with a 2.58 GAA and .886 SV%.
Centre Bryan Little, one of Winnipeg’s hottest scorers, was hurt in the third period, and could be seen going to the X-ray room at the Bridgestone Arena after the game.
Little is questionable for tonight's tilt. He scored 22 goals and 42 points in 67 games.
The Stars signed Smith, who just completed his junior year at Miami University, to a three-year entry-level contract Sunday. He’ll join the team on its current road trip.
Smith just finished his third season at Miami University (Ohio), scoring 30 goals and 48 points. He could possibly help out the NHL club.
He will be re-evaluated tomorrow after the morning skate, to see if he can return to the lineup against the San Jose Sharks.
The Avs have lost the last two games without their top defenseman so expect him to rush back. The former first overall pick has four goals and 24 points through 68 games.
Goalie Start
Semyon Varlamov will start in goal against the Sharks.
In three career appearances against the Sharks, Varlamov has a 2-1-0 record with a 2.93 GAA and .899 SV%.
Line Change
Not good to see Erat out with an upper-body injury, but it will be interesting to watch AK46 and SK74 on the same line. #Preds #Blackhawks
Kostitsyn moves up to the top line. He scored three goals and seven points in his first 12 games with the Preds.
Not good to see Erat out with an upper-body injury, but it will be interesting to watch AK46 and SK74 on the same line. #Preds #Blackhawks
Erat draws out tonight due to an injury. The veteran scored 18 goals and 57 points in 67 games.
Goalie Start
Correction.....Hiller vs Turco
In four career appearances against the Bruins, Hiller has a 3-0-0 record with a 1.94 GAA, .945 SV% and one shutout.
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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