Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA

NHL Hockey Player News

This year, though, he is fervently noncommittal. Even on his starting goaltender, who looks more and more like Thomas Greiss rather than Antti Niemi due to Niemi's still-cranky knee.

Sounds like Niemi remains close to returning but won't be rushed back. Last season, Niemi won 35 games while sporting a 2.38 GAA and .920 SV%. With Antero Niittymaki already out, the two options for the Sharks would be Thomas Greiss or Harri Sateri if Niemi suffers a setback; the former likely starts the season opener.

Antti Niemi
Appears as though Rundblad will be scratch.

Shouldn't come as a surprise as Rundblad's defensive play drew a plethora of criticism during the preseason. Last season he posted incredible stats -- 11 goals. 50 points over 55 games played. He figures to go through plenty of growing pains learning defense in his first North American season.

David Rundblad
Andrew MacDonald (hip surgery) also not skating at practice, more on his status to come.

Doesn't sound like a short-term injury for MacDonald. Last season he registered four goals and 27 points last season while missing 22 games, playing mostly on the top defensive pairing. With Mark Streit's return, look for him to round out the top-6 when healthy.

Andrew MacDonald
Brunnstrom and Eaves put for Detroit tonight.

Eaves figures to rotate into the bottom two lines as the season progresses. Last season the winger scored 13 goals and 20 points over 63 games of mostly fourth line duty. Coach Mike Babcock likes his offensive upside so, if healthy, expect a similar amount of goals.

Patrick Eaves
Greene-Larsson

Larsson will start the season on the top defensive pairing. Last season he only scored one goal and nine points over 37 games with Skelleftea HC of the SEL. Regardless, while manning the point on PP1, the former fourth overall pick will produce at least 20 points in his rookie season.

Adam Larsson
Right wing Mattias Tedenby, who left Thursday’s practtice to get needed stitches in his riight ear after being hit with a dump-in, is back out there today. It’s difficult to tell, but there might be a piece of clear plastic by the right ear hole on his helmet to protect his ear.

Last season the former 24th overall pick scored eight goals and 22 points in his rookie season. Don't expect much more as the youngster earns his ice time.

Montreal Canadiens general manager Pierre Gauthier announced Friday the signing of free agent defenseman Joe Callahan to a one-year, two-way contract (2011-12). As per club policy, financial terms of the agreement were not disclosed.

Callahan likely will be used as an AHL defender with the potential to move up in the lineup. Last season he posted an assist over 27 games.

Working with Berglund and Stewart, two powerful forwards with considerable offensive ability of their own, should give Oshie ample room to operate.

Oshie starts the season on the second line but should produce regardless. Last season he scored 12 goals and 34 points through 49 games including nine PP. Expect all of those totals to improve with a full season with Patrik Berglund and Chris Stewart.

T.J. Oshie
Penguins defenseman Brooks Orpik has been there, done that, but now he's taking a different approach as he comes back from his second offseason surgery to repair an abdominal hernia.

When he returns, expect the veteran to man the top defensive pairing. Orpik's health should lead to keeping the puck away from Marc-Andre Fleury. Good to know whether he is in the lineup or not since his 9 career goals in 512 career games won't help your squad too much.

Brooks Orpik
"I'm not taking anything for granted," the forward said. "I want to be here all 82 (games). I guess the season is 190 days, so I've got a 190 days of work ahead of me."

Dalpe will start the season on the fourth line. The team's top prospect scored 23 goals and 57 points through 61 games, earning 15 games with the big club. He figures to stick with the team all season which should produce a decent rookie year.

Zac Dalpe
“The offensive ability is there,” Huddy said. “You can’t take that away from the guy. He can shoot the puck a ton. He’s able to score from the blue line. Not many guys can score from out there. But when you look at that trophy, it’s about being able to play in both ends and being a leader. He’s got that in his game. He just has to get it into his head now.

Sounds like the Jets want a more well-balanced Byfuglien this season. Last season, he broke career highs in goals, assists and points while adding a gaudy 347 shots on goal.

Dustin Byfuglien
Marc-Andre Gragnani's power-play skills have given him the edge over fellow defenseman Mike Weber, so Gragnani will be in the lineup tonight when the Sabres open the regular season against Anaheim.

After leading the team in postseason points, coach Lindy Ruff can't keep Gragnani out of the lineup. Last season he produced a goal and three points over nine games and should approach 30 points if he finds a full-time role this campaign.

Marc-Andre Gragnani

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!