Hot Streak
Nicklas Backstrom named NHL third star of week
Backstrom leads the Capitals with 18 points (five goals, 13 assists) and had three goals and three assists in three games last week. [Capitals Watch]
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NHL Hockey Player News
Line Change
Cody Eakin, a healthy scratch Saturday night at the Islanders, was slotted on the second line with Marcus Johansson and Alexander Semin.
Eakin has played a solid game with his two points through two games. He may have some big-time upside while playing on the second line. Certainly keep an eye on his status moving forward.
Injury
Mike Green was on the ice with his teammates this time as he attempts to get back into the lineup with a right ankle injury.
Green was supposed to return after a solid practice but it seems like he suffered a minor setback. Stay tuned for a further update on his status.
Jay Beagle was hopeful that he'd be practicing with the Capitals very soon after making his first appearance back on the ice Friday. That wasn't the case Monday.
With Cody Eakin recalled from the Hershey Bears, the team's current fourth line looks a bit crowded. Look for Beagle to fight for his playing time, further decreasing his fantasy hockey value.
Defenseman Andy Greene is out there after missing the last two games with a lower-body injury.
Greene did not participate in line rushes so he likely sits out tomorrow's game. The Trenton, Michigan native has four assists over 10 games this season.
Goalie Start
Nabokov will get the start against the #Bruins tonight.
In seven career starts against the Bruins, Nabokov holds a 3-3-1 record with a 2.27 GAA and .917 SV%.
Goalie Start
My gut still says Tuukka tonight.
Over four career starts against the Bruins, Rask holds a 3-1-0 record with a 2.70 GAA and .915 SV%.
Call up / Send down
Scott Clemmensen recalled
Clemmensen is a decent backup goalie but holds very limited fantasy hockey value. Don't expect too much from the former New Jersey Devil.
Call up / Send down
#FlaPanthers send rookie goalie Jacob Markstrom to AHL San Antonio as expected
Markstrom performed well with a 2-2-1 record, 2.05 GAA and .944 SV% but needs regular playing time. Expect him to return and play should either of the veteran goalies get injured.
Ilya Kovalchuk, who missed Saturday's game against Winnipeg with a lower-body injury, is not practicing with the Devils Monday.
Kovalchuk was held out of practice which would make him unlikely to play tomorrow against the Hurricanes. Stay tuned for a further update.
My guess is Read since he actually skated on Sat. a.m.
The Rookie of the Year candidate scored three goals and seven points over his first 11 games but has missed the past three games.
Call up / Send down
#CBJ assign LW Alexandre Giroux to the #AHL's Springfield Falcons (@TheFalconsAHL).
Giroux scored a goal over nine games. He has no fantasy hockey value.
#Pens Staal is only player of note missing from practice -SK
Staal just returned to lineup on Saturday so this absence is likely just a maintenance day. He scored six goals and 10 points through his first 14 games.
Crosby on ice for Pittsburgh practice.
Crosby did not suffer any setback when he returned to Pittsburgh. Expect a further update on him later today.
Call up / Send down
#Flyers have loaned forward Eric Wellwood to the Phantoms, according to GM Paul Holmgren.
Wellwood registered an assist in his only game with the Flyers. He should be one of the first callups should the team need forward help.
Call up / Send down
Blues make it official: Ian Cole has been recalled from Peoria. #stlblues
Cole's promotion marks the first move of the Ken Hitchcock era. The former 18th overall pick has three assists through 13 games for the Peoria Rivermen.
Injury
Lightning says Ryan Malone likely out of game with upper-body injury.
Just last week Malone was day-to-day with likely a similar injury. Stay tuned for an update on his status as his absence could open up a slot next to Steven Stamkos.
Line Change
Scratches
No Antropov tonight. He scored three goals and 11 points through his first 12 games in Winnipeg.
Hedman has an upper-body injury, the team said, and coach Guy Boucher said the defenseman had an MRI exam, though there was no immediate word on what it revealed. The belief is Hedman, apparently hurt during Friday’s victory over the Blackhawks, could be out up to two weeks.
With Hedman out of the lineup, coach Guy Boucher was forced to dress both Bruno Gervais and Matt Gilroy. Expect another roster move to come shortly.
Line Change
Rome in, Sulzer out.
Sulzer is scratched after playing five consecutive games. He's still looking for his first point as a member of the Canucks,
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!
- NHL Player Injury Updates and Recovery Timelines – See all the latest NHL player injury updates, timelines for their return, and impact made on each team.
- NHL Waiver Wire Moves and Implications – Check out all the latest moves made on the NHL waiver wire and their implications on the teams involved.
- NHL Latest Line Combination Changes – Bringing you every line combination from across all 32 NHL teams, check out the latest NHL line combination changes made ahead of their next tilt.
- NHL Player Signings and Contract Details – Your go-to spot during NHL free agency, check out the latest NHL player signings and contract details today.
- NHL Roster Changes and Transactions – Looking to see what the latest moves made by your favourite team were? Then check out the latest NHL roster changes and transactions here on DFO.