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NHL Hockey Player News

Ryan Whitney(D)|INA
Injury
Injury
If Whitney suits up, he probably won’t play his usual 25 minutes a game, not having any games under his belt in nine months after suffering a right ankle injury against the Buffalo Sabres on Dec. 28, 2010.

Whitney has an outside shot at getting ready for Game 1. ast season, the former fifth overall pick scored two goals and 27 points over 35 games, leading to an inflated ADP. He should produce around 40 points for the Oilers but should not be expected to rise to an elite level until fully healthy.

Source:
Edmonton Journal 2018-07-18T17:53:31.166Z
Ladislav Smid(D)|
Injury
Injury
Oilers defenceman Ladislav Smid (sprained shoulder) definitely wants to be playing in Sunday’s regular-season opener against the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Sounds like Smid will at least miss game 1. Last season he only posted 10 assists through 78 points. While he aids his team defensively, don't expect any offensive production from the former 9th overall pick.

Source:
Edmonton Journal 2011-10-07T16:06:45.000Z
Ladislav Smid
Alex Ovechkin(LW)|WSH
Line Change
Line Change
Capitals left wing Alex Ovechkin is expected to arrive on a direct flight from Moscow to Washington-Dulles airport Friday afternoon and the club’s plan is to have him in the lineup Saturday night for its season opener against the Carolina Hurricanes.

Ovechkin could decide not to play the season opener, which would open the door for one of Marcus Johansson or Mathieu Perreault. Last season, the consensus fantasy hockey first overall pick scored 32 and 85 points -- both the lowest totals of his career. Expect him to return to the 50-goal, 100-point range this season.

Source:
CSN Washington 2011-10-07T15:55:07.000Z
Alex Ovechkin
Jordan Staal(C)|CAR
Injury
Injury
Pens said staal was dehydrated last night. Not practicing today. Will let you know what Coach Disco says later.

Likely just a precautionary measure to maintain Staal's health. Last season he scored 11 goals and 30 points over 42 games, playing between the first and second line. Expect him to approach career highs as he plays a more vital offensive role.

Source:
Josh Yohe 2011-10-07T15:45:51.000Z
Jordan Staal
Tim Connolly(C)|INA
Injury
Injury
Tim connolly says he's doubtful for tomorrow but hopes to be ready for calgary. "No structural damage just sore".

Connolly is listed as day-to-day and probably returns over the next week or two. Connolly scored 13 goals and 42 points last season as injuries limited him to 68 games. Tyler Bozak will take his place in the interim as the top line center.

Source:
Paul Hendrick 2018-07-18T17:53:33.280Z
Dave Bolland(C)|
Line Change
Line Change
Quenneville still "optimistic" that Dave Bolland plays tomorrow night. #Blackhawks

If Bolland does not dress, Brandon Pirri will stay on the third line with the team dressing seven defensemen. Last season he scored 15 goals and 37 points while centering the second and third line but missed 21 games due to various injuries. The Blackhawks hope he can stay in good health all season.

Source:
Tracey Myers 2011-10-07T14:37:40.000Z
Dave Bolland
Mattias Ohlund(D)|FA
Injury
Injury
Lightning D Ohlund (knee) disappointed still not skating, says he and trainers trying to figure out if injury is worse than first believed.

Sounds like Ohlund suffered a setback, which should keep the Lightning to dressing six d-men. Last season he managed only five assists over 72 games. He is still looking for his first goal with the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Source:
Damian Cristodero 2011-10-07T12:31:24.000Z
Mattias Ohlund

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!