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NHL Hockey Player News

Sean Couturier(C)|PHI
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Couturier also could be an option after scoring 96 points in back-to-back seasons with Drummondville of the Quebec Major Junior Hockey League. He's excellent defensively and strong on faceoffs. With Giroux, Briere and Blair Betts locked into center spots, Couturier and Schenn could be competing for the final spot in the middle. Couturier, at 6-foot-3 and 197 pounds is big enough to play on the wing if he sticks.

Couturier has almost nothing left to prove in the QMJHL and could make the team as a third-line winger. The injury to Brayden Schenn also helps open a roster spot for the 8th overall pick.

Source:
NHL.com 2011-09-28T13:32:30.000Z
Sean Couturier
Roman Hamrlik(D)|INA
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Hamrlik’s presence on the power play adds a different look for a team that has long lacked a left-handed defenseman comfortable playing the point with the man advantage.

Hamrlik will probably man the point on PP2 with Mike Green and Alex Ovechkin expected to quarterback the top unit. Last season, Hamrlik scored five goals and 34 points in 79 games for the Montreal Canadiens with 15 coming via PP. Expect him to approach those totals this season with the Caps.

Source:
Capitals Insider 2018-07-18T17:53:30.368Z
Maxime Macenauer(C)|INA
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Fast-forward to the present in Anaheim and he finds himself on the brink of the NHL life once again. After another round of cuts yesterday, the roster for the Ducks currently stands at 30 players. With just two more exhibition games left at home and a Saturday team flight for Europe scheduled, time is closing in on those last few reassignments. Macenauer is hoping for a different fate this time around.

Macenauer could fit on the fourth, or even third line, after training camp. The 22-year-old scored 13 goals and 32 points in 79 games with the Syracuse Crunch last season. With the Ducks notoriously injury-prone look for this youngster to get a few looks over the course of the season.

Source:
AnaheimDucks.com 2018-07-18T17:53:26.433Z
Marcus Kruger(C)|FA
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Kruger and Smith appear to be the favorites after playing significant roles for the Hawks down the stretch last season. Kruger is in his first full training camp after leaving Europe last season to join the Hawks. Both can play in the middle and that will help their cases.

Kruger was expected to step up when Patrick Sharp went down but hasn't dominated over his competition. Last season, the Stockholm, Sweden native was held scoreless over seven games. He probably doesn't hold too much offensive value at this point in his development.

Source:
Chicago Tribune 2011-09-28T12:47:58.000Z
Marcus Kruger
Brandon Pirri(C)|FA
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Pirri's ability as a pure center and a strong camp has put him in the picture.

The former second round pick has put himself in good position to make the team as the third line center. Last season, the Toronto native scored 12 goals and 43 points over 70 games for the Rockland IceHogs of the AHL. He should be capable of handling a checking role for the Blackhawks and should see time in their sweater at some point this season.

Source:
Chicago Tribune 2011-09-28T12:53:36.000Z
Brandon Pirri
Ben Smith(RW)|
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Kruger and Smith appear to be the favorites after playing significant roles for the Hawks down the stretch last season. Smith was a postseason hero with three goals in the seven-game Western Conference quarterfinals against the Canucks.

Smith likely makes the team but will compete for a scoring-line role. The winger scored a goal in six regular season games before becoming a postseason hero for the Blackhawks. With a healthy supporting cast, he could have to earn his minutes from the ground up.

Source:
Chicago Tribune 2011-09-28T12:46:15.000Z
Ben Smith
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins(C)|EDM
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If Red Deer Rebels’ coach Jesse Wallin was holding to a faint hope that Nugent-Hopkins could be back in his No. 9 sweater with the Western Hockey League junior team, he can probably forget it, at least for the start of the Oilers season with Sam Gagner out with a sprained ankle.

Nugent-Hopkins could stick for longer than nine games if Gagner fails to return by then. If so, expect a similar rookie season to Taylor Hall and Jordan Eberle -- somewhere around 15-20 goals and 40-45 points -- while playing on one of the top two lines.

Source:
Edmonton Journal 2011-09-28T12:42:21.000Z
Ryan Nugent-Hopkins
Ben Eager(LW)|INA
Injury
Injury
EDMONTON - The headaches have finally subsided, which has left Ben Eager convinced he might still make it to the Edmonton Oilers opening day roster.

While Eager sounds optimistic he will return by next week, he probably spends a bit of time on the sideline as he fully recovers. If healthy, Eager should have another Eager-like season, agitating and fighting by trade. The 27-year-old produced 120 PIM or more over the last three seasons.

Source:
Edmonton Journal 2018-07-18T17:53:12.265Z
Patrick O'Sullivan(C)|INA
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“I need to have a good year in the NHL this year. I’m well aware of that,” said O’Sullivan, who signed a one-year, two-way contract with Phoenix in the off-season.

With various departures in Phoenix, O'Sullivan could earn a spot if he can prove reliable at both ends of the ice. 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.

Source:
Edmonton Journal 2018-07-18T17:53:28.954Z

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!