NHL Hockey Player News

Darcy Kuemper(G)|LAK
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Kuemper will start in Edmonton on Monday.

The Kings can clinch home-ice advantage in the first round of the playoffs by earning a single point on Monday against the Edmonton Oilers. Kuemper will be tending the twine for the Kings, looking to build on a stellar 2024-25 campaign, boasting a 2.05 GAA, .920 SV%, and five shutouts in 49 appearances (30-11-7). The 34-year-old Kuemper made 27 saves in a 3-0 shutout victory over the Oilers on April 5th. The Kings enter Monday's contest as -145 road favorites against an Oilers team without Connor McDavid (rest) and Leon Draisaitl (undisclosed).

Source:
Patrick O'Neal 2025-04-14T18:50:26.756Z
Darcy Kuemper
Drew Doughty(D)|LAK
Injury
Injury
Doughty (ankle) will return to Los Angeles' lineup on Monday in Edmonton.

Doughty has not played since April 5th due to an ankle injury but will return to the lineup on Monday against the Edmonton Oilers. The 35-year-old Doughty missed the first four months of the season but has been excellent since returning, averaging 24:18 time-on-ice and scoring 17 points (4G / 13A) in 28 games.

Source:
Patrick O'Neal 2025-04-14T18:46:58.365Z
Drew Doughty
Nikita Tolopilo(G)|VAN
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Tolopilo will start vs. San Jose on Monday.

Tolopilo is an undrafted goalie out of Belarus that has spent the previous two seasons playing in the AHL with the Abbotsford Canucks. The 25-year-old Tolopilo, making his NHL debut on Monday, has a 2.68 GAA and .901 SV% in 34 games (18-14-2) with Abbotsford this season. Vancouver enters Monday's contest as -307 home favorites against a San Jose Sharks team amid a nine-game losing skid (0-7-2).

Source:
Randop Janda 2025-04-14T18:21:54.416Z
Nikita Tolopilo
Philip Broberg(D)|STL
Line Change
Line Change
Broberg (personal) will return to St. Louis's lineup on Tuesday vs. Utah.

Broberg did not play the previous game for the Blues, but will re-enter the lineup on Tuesday against the Utah Hockey Club. The 23-year-old Broberg is averaging 20:30 time-on-ice and has 29 points (8G / 21A) in 67 games this season.

Source:
Lou Korac 2025-04-14T18:29:41.747Z
Philip Broberg
Derek Ryan(C)|FA
Send Down
Send Down
Ryan has been reassigned to Bakersfield (AHL).

Ryan played Edmonton's previous games, scoring an assist in 10:15 time-on-ice, but has been reassigned to the AHL, where he has played more of the previous three months. The 38-year-old Ryan has eight points (3G / 5A) in 13 games with the Bakersfield Condors (AHL) this season.

Source:
Jason Gregor 2025-04-14T18:28:39.147Z
Derek Ryan
Ryan Ufko(D)|NSH
Call Up
Call Up
Ufko has been recalled from Milwaukee (AHL).

Ufko was a fourth-round pick, 115th overall, of the Nashville Predators in the 2021 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old defenseman made his professional debut in the AHL last season but has yet to play an NHL game. He has 29 points (8G / 21A) in 71 games with the Milwaukee Admirals (AHL).

Source:
Nick Kieser 2025-04-14T18:26:35.107Z
Ryan Ufko
Hayden Hodgson(RW)|OTT
Injury
Injury
Hodgson (undisclosed) missed practice on Monday after leaving Ottawa's previous game vs. Philadelphia early.

Hodgson made his season debut last week but will return to the sidelines after suffering an undisclosed injury. The 29-year-old Hodgson only has nine games of NHL experience. He has spent the majority of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, scoring 11 points (5G / 6A) in 43 games with the Belleville Senators.

Source:
Murray Pam 2025-04-14T17:42:35.470Z
Hayden Hodgson
Liam O'Brien(C)|UTA
Injury
Injury
O'Brien (lower-body) will return to Utah's lineup on Monday in Nashville.

O'Brien has not played since March 14th but will return on Monday against the Nashville Predators. The 30-year-old O'Brien has played 27 games this season, averaging 9:12 time-on-ice and scoring two points (0G / 2A). Kailer Yamamoto will be a healthy scratch to accommodate O'Brien's return to the lineup.

Source:
Belle Fraser 2025-04-14T17:40:26.992Z
Liam O'Brien
Matt Villalta(G)|UTA
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Villalta will start in Nashville on Monday.

After starting 23 consecutive games, Karel Vejmelka will finally have a break on Monday as Villalta will be between the pipes for Utah against the Nashville Predators. Villalta only has two games of NHL experience and has yet to play this season. The 25-year-old goalie has a 3.01 GAA and .906 SV% in 41 games (17-21-3) with the Tucson Roadrunners (AHL) this season. Utah enters Monday's contest as -160 road favorites against a Nashville team that has lost seven of their last nine games (2-7-0).

Source:
Mike Folta 2025-04-14T17:34:39.486Z
Matt Villalta
Evander Kane(LW)|VAN
Injury
Injury
Kane (abdominal surgery) expects to return in the first round of the Stanley Cup Playoffs vs. Los Angeles.

Kane has spent the entirety of the 2024-25 season recovering from abdominal surgery but expects to return in the first round of the playoffs. The 33-year-old Kane has spent the previous three seasons with the Oilers, tallying 111 points (62G / 49A) in 161 games.

Source:
Jason Gregor 2025-04-14T17:38:03.233Z
Evander Kane
Calvin Pickard(G)|EDM
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Pickard will start vs. Los Angeles on Monday.

On the tail end of a back-to-back, in their penultimate game, the Oilers will turn to Pickard between the pipes on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings in a preview of their first-round playoff matchup. Pickard allowed two goals on 28 shots (.929 SV%) in a 3-0 loss to the Kings on April 5th. The 32-year-old goalie has a 2.63 GAA and .902 SV% in 35 games this season (22-9-1). The Oilers enter Monday's contest as slight -102 home underdogs against a Kings team outscoring their opposition 11-5 during a two-game winning streak.

Source:
Daniel Nugent-Bowman 2025-04-14T17:27:23.353Z
Calvin Pickard
Nikita Tolopilo(G)|VAN
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Tolopilo is in the starter's crease at Vancouver's morning skate.

Tolopilo is an undrafted goalie out of Belarus that has spent the previous two seasons playing in the AHL with the Abbotsford Canucks. The 25-year-old Tolopilo, likely making his NHL debut on Monday, has a 2.68 GAA and .901 SV% in 34 games (18-14-2) with Abbotsford this season. Vancouver enters Monday's contest as -307 home favorites against a San Jose Sharks team amid a nine-game losing skid (0-7-2).

Source:
Jeff Paterson 2025-04-14T17:36:48.206Z
Nikita Tolopilo
Connor McDavid(C)|EDM
Line Change
Line Change
McDavid (rest) will be out on Monday vs. Los Angeles.

McDavid has played the previous three games for Edmonton, but will not play on Monday against the Los Angeles Kings to get some extra rest before the playoffs. The 28-year-old McDavid has 99 points (26G / 73A) in 66 games this season. He has an absurd 13 points (1G / 12A) in his last five games.

Source:
Bob Stauffer 2025-04-14T17:32:19.460Z
Connor McDavid
Carter King(C)|CAL
Signing
Signing
Calgary has signed Carter King to a one-year, two-way contract beginning in 2025-26.

King is an undrafted forward that has spent the previous five seasons playing collegiate hockey. The 23-year-old forward scored 43 points (21G / 22A) in 44 games with the University of Denver (NCHC) this season.

Source:
Calgary Flames 2025-04-14T17:30:44.593Z

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!