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

NHL Hockey Player News

Jochen Hecht(C)|INA
Injury
Injury
Ruff said Hecht, who needed stitches in the lip after a collision with Shaone Morrisonn early in camp, is being held out but should skate next week. Hecht, remember, could not get back on the ice during the playoffs due to what was later learned to be concussion symptoms.

Sounds like Hecht could be out for a bit longer. Hecht only scored 12 goals and 29 points over his 67 games last season but has eclipsed 40 points seven times in his career. If fully healthy, a return to that range should be expected.

Source:
Sabres Edge 2018-07-18T17:53:21.269Z
Adam Cracknell(RW)|FA
Line Change
Line Change
Cracknell made his NHL debut at age 25 last year and gave the Blues quite a boost when the club went through a rash of injuries. He had three goals and seven points in 24 games, but most important, didn't look out of place.

Despite playing for the team last season, Cracknell is not guaranteed a roster spot. The former 9th round pick scored 23 goals over two seasons in the AHL and likely will fill a bottom-line role.

Source:
STL Today 2011-09-22T14:53:55.000Z
Adam Cracknell
Andy McDonald(C)|INA
Line Change
Line Change
In the third year of a four-year, $18.8 million contract, and playing the Blues' top line with Backes, McDonald realizes that he'll have to be one of the team's top point-producers again this season.

McDonald will start the season on the top line. Although he only played 58 games last season, he finished with 20 goals and 30 points -- good for fourth on the team. Feel free to draft the versatile forward in deeper leagues with mixed league value above replacement level.

Source:
STL Today 2018-07-18T17:53:11.539Z
Brad Richards(C)|FA
Injury
Injury
Brad Richards (groin) skating today after being off ice most of last two days. Hoping to play tomorrow vs Devs.

Certainly a step in the right direction. The 31-year-old pivot scored 28 goals and 77 points last season making him the top free agent. His new organization will try, however, to limit his time out at all costs.

Source:
Andrew Gross 2011-09-22T14:38:38.000Z
Brad Richards
Brian Rolston(RW)|INA
Injury
Injury
Rolston (groin) did not practice today. Capuano says it was to give him a day off. #isles

Sounds more precautionary than anything. Acquired in an offseason trade from the New Jersey Devils, Rolston was supposed to help anchor the third line and man a point on the second PP unit. The 38-year-old scored 14 goals and 34 points last season with the team that drafted him. You should probably avoid him in most mixed leagues.

Source:
@NYIslanders 2018-07-18T17:53:13.990Z
Mike Commodore(D)|INA
Line Change
Line Change
Then the team signed another veteran defenseman, Mike Commodore, on July 1, and Kindl was back to where he started 2010-11 -- having to beat out someone for a spot.

Look for Commodore to challenge the youngster Kindl but likely only play due to injuries or against more physical teams. The rugged blueliner scored two goals and six points in 20 games for the Columbus Blue Jackets last season. He likely holds no fantasy value.

Source:
Mlive.com 2018-07-18T17:53:27.166Z
Jakub Kindl(D)|FA
Line Change
Line Change
Then the team signed another veteran defenseman, Mike Commodore, on July 1, and Kindl was back to where he started 2010-11 -- having to beat out someone for a spot.

Kindl has a chance to stick following four years between the AHL and NHL. His competition for playing time will mostly consist of Mike Commodore but if he displays his offensive capabilities he could challenge Ian White and/or Jonathan Ericsson for playing time.

Source:
Mlive.com 2011-09-22T13:01:45.000Z
Jakub Kindl
Devante Smith-Pelly(RW)|
Line Change
Line Change
Too young to serve beer. Not too young to have a shot at cracking the Ducks' roster.

Right now it sounds like Peter Holland has the inside track of making the team. In fact, most OHL pundits expect Smith-Pelly to return to Mississauga St. Michael's Majors of the OHL. Through 67 games, the powerforward scored 36 goals and 66 points. Keep an eye on him for the future.

Source:
LA Times 2011-09-22T12:58:57.000Z
Devante Smith-Pelly
Thomas Hickey(LD)|FA
Line Change
Line Change
As long as Drew Doughty remains unsigned — and there's no telling when the restricted free-agent defenseman's dispute with the Kings will be resolved — Thomas Hickey and Viatcheslav Voynov will continue to dream their NHL dreams.

The former fourth overall pick scored 6 goals and 24 points in 77 games with the Manchester Monarchs -- not exactly lighting the lamp at an elite level. Nevertheless, Hickey could be one of those late bloomers who perform better at the higher level. After last night, however, he probably is behind at least Voynov.

Source:
LA Times 2011-09-22T12:56:14.000Z
Thomas Hickey
Slava Voynov(D)|
Line Change
Line Change
As long as Drew Doughty remains unsigned — and there's no telling when the restricted free-agent defenseman's dispute with the Kings will be resolved — Thomas Hickey and Viatcheslav Voynov will continue to dream their NHL dreams.

Should Doughty remain out, Voynov remains the favorite to replace him. The Russian expatriate scored 15 goals and 51 points last season with the Manchester Monarchs of the AHL. Watch him very closely as those points could translate very well if given the opportunity.

Source:
LA Times 2011-09-22T12:51:47.000Z
Slava Voynov
Mark Letestu(C)|FA
Line Change
Line Change
"Camp's always going to be competitive. That's something that, mentally, I have to be ready for every year because that's the way it's going to be."

Letestu should make the team, helping them on the bottom lines and killing penalties. The pivot scored 14 goals and 27 points last season. He likely holds limited fantasy value when Sidney Crosby, Evgeni Malkin and Jordan Staal are all healthy.

Source:
Pittsburgh Post-Gaze 2011-09-22T12:49:33.000Z
Mark Letestu
Paul Postma(D)|
Line Change
Line Change
Postma is what they call a "bubble guy" — he could land on the big club, or fall back to the farm.

Postma could make the roster as a spare defender as he has little left to prove at the AHL level. The former WHL standout scored 12 goals and 45 points last season for the Chicago Wolves. With Tobias Enstrom and Zach Bogosian ahead of him on the depth chart, don't expect too much production from the 22-year-old.

Source:
Winnipeg Sun 2011-09-22T12:33:39.000Z
Paul Postma
Tomas Kubalik(RW)|INA
Injury
Injury
Meanwhile, Tomas Kubalik has been diagnosed with a concussion after he collided with Winnipeg's Jason Gregoire in the first period of a 6-1 Blue Jackets loss on Tuesday in Winnipeg.

Expected to make the team out of camp, this concussion could derail the youngster's season. He posted 24 goals and 53 points in 76 games with the Springfield Falcons of the AHL last season, showing off his scoring potential. Stay tuned for a further update as more news arrives.

Source:
Puck-Rakers Blog 2018-07-18T17:53:34.233Z
Mark Dekanich(G)|
Injury
Injury
Goaltender Mark Dekanich, expected to be Steve Mason's back-up, will miss at least one month with a high-ankle sprain suffered in the first period of Tuesday's 5-1 exhibition win over Winnipeg in Nationwide Arena.

With Dekanich injured, expect Steve Mason to play even more games. The 25-year-old posted excellent numbers with the Milwaukee Admirals last season -- 2.03 GAA, .931 SV% -- but will need to stay healthy in order to make an impact at the NHL level. Look for Curtis Sanford to backup Mason as long as Dekanich remains sidelined.

Source:
Puck-Rakers Blog 2011-09-22T12:28:59.000Z
Mark Dekanich
Jason Williams(C)|INA
Injury
Injury
Jason Williams not available tonight due to groin issue.

Probably not a serious injury but it certainly hurts his chances of making the team. The 31-year-old scored two goals and five points last season in 27 games with the Dallas Stars. Williams was expected to compete for an extra forward position as his blast from the point would certainly help their second power play unit.

Source:
Seth Rorabaugh 2018-07-18T17:53:20.304Z
Chad Kolarik(C)|INA
Injury
Injury
Chad Kolarik, who hurt his knee in a scrimmage, is not practicing.

With Sean Avery and Erik Christensen already on the outside looking in, Kolarik likely would not have made the team. The 25-year-old scored 21 goals and 41 points between the Springfield Falcons and Connecticut Whale of the AHL last season. He could be one of the first callups for the team but likely will hold no fantasy value.

Source:
Jesse Spector 2018-07-18T17:53:14.825Z
Gabriel Landeskog(LW)|COL
Line Change
Line Change
He’s still just 18, but Landeskog has a man’s body, the demeanor to use it to push opponents off the puck, and the elite skills to create offense. He’s set to play on Colorado’s second line – but easily could jump to the first forward unit – and is a lock to be in the Calder mix all season long.

Last season, the three Calder Trophy finalists scored 30 goals -- which would be a great season for the former Kitchener Ranger. In leagues with deeper rosters, the 18-year-old would definitely make a solid addition to your fantasy roster. The 2011 second overall pick also is a must-have in any dynasty league.

Source:
The Hockey News 2011-09-21T21:56:21.000Z
Gabriel Landeskog

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!