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NHL Hockey Player News

In other news, both Michal Neuvirth and Mathieu Perreault, who missed the previous two days of practice with minor injuries are back on the ice.

Neuvirth seems fine to play which forces Braden Holtby back to the AHL. He posted a 2.45 GAA and ,914 SV% over 48 games played last season but figures to play significantly less with Tomas Vokoun the acting starting goalie. His best fantasy hockey value would be as a handcuff to Vokoun.

Michal Neuvirth
On Saturday morning at KCI, however, Laich was lined up as the center of the third line between Jason Chimera and Joel Ward. It’s a combination that would allow the Capitals to maximize all of the depth they have on the wing while putting an established NHL player in the middle of the third line.

Laich could center the third line, which would eliminate any fantasy hockey value for Mathieu Perreault, Matthias Sjogren and Cody Eakin. Last season Laich alternated between center and wing which netted him his worst offensive season in three seasons. Expect no higher than 50 points should he remain on the third line.

Brooks Laich
The play of forwards Patrick O’Sullivan and Kyle Chipchura likely makes them front-runners to survive the final cut.

Chipchura should make the team as a fourth liner or spare forward. He suited up for 95 games over the last two seasons in Anaheim. Considering he only managed two assists last season, his fantasy hockey value is virtually nonexistent.

Kyle Chipchura
The play of forwards Patrick O’Sullivan and Kyle Chipchura likely makes them front-runners to survive the final cut.

O'Sullivan impressed enough during camp to earn a roster spot. Last season the enigmatic forward only scored two goals and eight points in 31 games, split between the Carolina Hurricanes and Minnesota Wild. The left wing did however prove he was too good for the AHL as he potted 19 goals and 48 points in 36 games with the Houston Aeros.

Call up / Send down
Call up / Send down
Those not making the roster were forwards Viktor Tikhonov, Andy Miele and Marc-Andre Pouliot and and defensemen Chris Summers and Max Goncharov. The five were assigned to Portland of the AHL.

No immediate fantasy hockey value in the AHL.

Maxim Goncharov
Call up / Send down
Call up / Send down
Those not making the roster were forwards Viktor Tikhonov, Andy Miele and Marc-Andre Pouliot and and defensemen Chris Summers and Max Goncharov. The five were assigned to Portland of the AHL.

No immediate fantasy hockey value in the AHL.

Chris Summers
Call up / Send down
Call up / Send down
Those not making the roster were forwards Viktor Tikhonov, Andy Miele and Marc-Andre Pouliot and and defensemen Chris Summers and Max Goncharov. The five were assigned to Portland of the AHL.

No immediate fantasy hockey value in the AHL.

Andy Miele
On the back end, David Savard and Holden have looked very good. So has John Moore at times. There’s room for two of them on the roster with James Wisniewski under suspension.

With the team sending Holden down today, Savard should make the team as the sixth defenseman. Through 72 games with the Springfield Falcons last season, the 20-year-old scored 11 goals and 43 points. Expect him to see time on the bottom pair and even get a chance to play the power play.

David Savard
Maksim Mayorov may get the nod because he’s played three years of pro hockey.

Mayorov adds some depth to the team's forward core as they attempt to field three scoring lines. Over his three AHL seasons, Mayorov has never scored more than 19 goals. Expect him to suit up on the second or third line to start the season.

Alexandre Giroux and Aaron Johnson might get the nod because they are seasoned vets, if mostly at the AHL level.

Johnson should make the team as a depth defender. Last season he scored nine goals and 35 points through 72 games for the Milwaukee Admirals of the AHL. He likely holds no fantasy hockey value.

Winger Ryan Russell remains on the roster, but that's mostly a formality. Russell, nursing a bruised foot after blocking a shot last week, could be healthy before the roster has to be set on Wednesday. If he is, he'll go on waivers with the purpose of joining Springfield. If he isn't healthy, he'll go on IR.

Russell, the brother of defenseman Kris, will not make the team but could land on IR if his injury is long term.

Ben Smith is the “same” according to Quenneville as he recovers from the blow to his head he took in Wednesday’s game against Detroit.

Smith's injury somewhat frees up the logjam at forward. The winger scored a goal in six regular season games before becoming a postseason hero for the Blackhawks. Keep an eye on this situation and don't roster Smith until he proves himself healthy.

Ben Smith

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!