NHL Hockey Player News

Seattle has signed Carson Rehkopf to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Rehkopf was the 50th overall pick of Seattle in the 2023 NHL Entry Draft. The 19-year-old Canadian center-iceman scored an impressive 95 points (52G / 43A) in 60 games with the Kitchener Rangers (OHL) this season.

Carson Rehkopf
Girard (concussion) is out for Game 1 vs. Winnipeg.

Girard was a full participant in the morning skate on Sunday but will be out for Game 1 vs. Winnipeg as he takes one more game to recover from his concussion. The 25-year-old last appeared on April 13th and had three goals, 18 points, 73 SOG and 10 PIms in 59 games played in 2023-24.

Samuel Girard
McIlrath will draw back into Washington's lineup on Sunday for Game 1.

With the Capitals missing a key pair of their defensemen, Dylan McIlrath will make his second career playoff appearance as he draws into Washington's lineup on Sunday. The 32-year-old bruising veteran only appeared in three games for Washington during the regular season and had an assist, one SOG and five PIMs.

Dylan McIlrath
Iorio will draw back into Washington's lineup for Game 1 in New York.

With Nick Jensen still unable to recover from his upper-body injury, Vincent Iorio will make his playoff debut on Sunday vs. New York. The 21-year-old rookie defenseman appeared in six games for the Capitals this season and failed to pick up a point while collecting six SOG and a +1 plus/minus.

Vincent Iorio
Jensen (upper body) will be out for Game 1 on Sunday in New York.

Jensen has been out since April 13th due to a scary upper-body injury and will miss game 1 as he nears his return. The 33-year-old shut-down defensemen scored only one goal in 2023-24, with 14 points, 71 SOG, 10 PIMs and a -9 plus/minus in 78 games played.

Nick Jensen
Shesterkin will start on Sunday vs. Washington.

Shesterkin was 36-17-2 with a 2.58 GAA, .912 SV% and four shutouts this season. He was much better in the second-half of the season, winning. 17 of his final 23 games (17-5-1) with a .929 SV% and four shutouts. Shesterkin was 2-1-0 with a 2.00 GAA and .926 SV% in three games against the Capitals this season.

Igor Shesterkin
Mantha (undisclosed) was a full participant in practice on Sunday and is a game-time decision for Game 1.

Mantha missed the final two games of the regular season but could play in game 1 in Dallas. Mantha, who tallied 10 points (3G / 7A) in 18 games after being traded to Vegas, is expected to skate on the third line with Willam Karlsson.

Anthony Mantha

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!