NHL Hockey Player News

Shepard has been recalled from Hershey (AHL) on Thursday.

With Darcy Kuemper's status for Thursday's game against the Pittsburgh Penguins uncertain due to an illness, the Capitals have recalled Shepard from the Hershey Bears (AHL). Hunter played reasonably in a four-game stint with the Capitals earlier this season but has spent most of his time in the AHL, posting a 2.00 GAA and .919 SV% in 26 games (21-3-2) with the Bears.

Hunter Shepard
Sorokin will start on Thursday in San Jose.

The Islanders are riding a four-game winning streak and will turn to Sorokin for the sixth straight time on Thursday night. Sorokin has been tremendous lately, allowing fewer than three goals in three of his last four (4-0-0), including saving 19 of 21 shots (.905 SV%) in a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues in his last outing. The Islanders enter action as sizeable -286 road favourites against the San Jose Sharks.

Ilya Sorokin
Carolina has placed Antti Raanta on waivers on Thursday.

Raanta, Tony DeAngelo, and Brendan Lemieux were all placed on waivers by the Hurricanes on Thursday as the team appears to be clearing cap space ahead of Friday's trade deadline. Raanta has struggled this season, including being placed on waivers earlier in the year, and has a 2.99 GAA and .872 SV% through 24 games this season (12-7-2).

Antti Raanta
Sorokin is in the starter's crease at Thursday's morning skate.

The Islanders are riding a four-game winning streak and will turn to Sorokin for the sixth straight time on Thursday night. Sorokin has been tremendous lately, allowing fewer than three goals in three of his last four (4-0-0), including saving 19 of 21 shots (.905 SV%) in a 4-2 victory over the St. Louis Blues in his last outing. The Islanders enter action as sizeable -286 road favourites against the San Jose Sharks.

Ilya Sorokin
Demko is in the starter's crease at Vancouver's morning skate.

The Canucks will turn to Demko between the pipes on Thursday in a heated divisional matchup against the Vegas Golden Knights. Demko has been inconsistent lately, winning only two of his last seven starts, but he was tremendous in his last outing, saving 23 of 24 shots (.958 SV%) in a 2-1 overtime victory against the Los Angeles Kings. The Canucks enter action as slight +102 road underdogs.

Thatcher Demko
Fleury will start on Thursday in Arizona.

Minnesota will turn to Fleury between the pipes for the second time in the last three games on Thursday night. Fleury has allowed only two goals in each of his last two starts (1-1-0), including saving 24 of 26 shots (.923 SV%) in a 3-1 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Friday. Minnesota enters action as a -141 road favourite against an Arizona Coyotes club coming off a 5-2 loss to the Chicago Blackhawks.

Marc-Andre Fleury
Talbot was the first goalie off the ice at Los Angeles morning skate.

After a miserable two-month stretch for Talbot, he appears to have returned to form and will likely tend the twine for the fifth straight game on Thursday. Talbot was excellent in a 2-1 losing effort in overtime against the Vancouver Canucks on Tuesday, saving 29 of 31 shots (.935 SV%). The Kings enter action as -191 home favourites against an Ottawa Senators club that was defeated 2-1 by the Anaheim Ducks last night.

Cam Talbot
The Oilers have acquired Troy Stecher and a 2024 seventh-round pick from the Coyotes for a 2027 fourth-round pick.

Stecher will add some depth to the Oilers blueline ahead of Friday's trade deadline. The 29-year-old defenseman is in his eighth NHL season and has five points (1G / 4A), 52 hits, and 67 blocks in 47 games this season.

Troy Stecher

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!