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NHL Hockey Player News

David Rittich(G)|NYI
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Rittich will start in Tampa Bay on Thursday.

The Kings failed to score on Wednesday, losing 3-0 to the Florida Panthers, and will turn to Rittich between the pipes on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Rittich struggled in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 32 shots (.844 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.65 GAA and .884 SV% in 22 appearances this season (11-10-0). The Kings enter Thursday's contest as +130 road underdogs against a Lightning squad with losses in four of their last five games (1-4-0).

Source:
Dennis Bernstein 2025-01-30T22:51:55.569Z
David Rittich
Ryan Suzuki(C)|CAR
Call Up
Call Up
Suzuki has been recalled from Chicago (AHL) on Thursday.

Suzuki was the 28th overall pick of the Hurricanes in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old forward has yet to play an NHL game but has been impressive at the AHL level. He has 30 points (6G / 24A) in 38 games with the Chicago Wolves (AHL) this season. Riley Stillman was assigned to Chicago (AHL) in a corresponding move.

Source:
Carolina Hurricanes 2025-01-30T22:39:27.167Z
Ryan Suzuki
Erik Johnson(D)|FA
Line Change
Line Change
Johnson will be a healthy scratch vs. New York on Thursday.

Recently recalled Adam Ginning will make his Flyers' season debut on Thursday, resulting in Johnson being a healthy scratch. The veteran Johnson is averaging 13:29 time-on-ice and has three points (1G / 2A) in 18 games this season.

Source:
Jordan Hall 2025-01-30T22:07:43.450Z
Erik Johnson
Adam Ginning(D)|PHI
Line Change
Line Change
Ginning will make his season debut vs. New York on Thursday.

Ginning was the 50th overall pick of the Flyers in the 2018 NHL Entry Draft. The 25-year-old defenseman has played 10 career NHL games but has primarily been in the AHL. He has five points (1G / 4A) in 42 games with Lehigh Valley (AHL) this season. Erik Johnson will be a healthy scratch on Thursday to accommodate Ginning's debut.

Source:
Jordan Hall 2025-01-30T22:06:47.517Z
Adam Ginning
Cal Burke(C)|FA
Line Change
Line Change
Burke will draw back into Vegas' lineup vs. Columbus.

Burke played six games with the Golden Knights this season but has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL. The undrafted 27-year-old has 13 points (7G / 6A) in 34 games this season with the Henderson Silver Knights (AHL). Jonas Rondbjerg will be a healthy scratch to accommodate Burke's return to the lineup.

Source:
Jesse Granger 2025-01-30T21:42:23.274Z
Cal Burke
Connor Hellebuyck(G)|WPG
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Hellebuyck will start in Boston on Thursday.

The Jets will turn to Hellebuyck between the pipes on Thursday in a meeting with the Boston Bruins. Hellebuyck was stellar, as he has been all season, in his most recent outing, saving 24 of 25 shots (.960 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens. The 31-year-old Hellebuyck is sporting a terrific 2.00 GAA and .927 SV% through 40 games this season (31-7-2). The Jets enter Thursday's contest as -145 road favorites against a Bruins squad coming off a 7-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

Source:
Mike McIntyre 2025-01-30T21:03:11.728Z
Connor Hellebuyck
Pyotr Kochetkov(G)|CAR
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Kochetkov is expected to start vs. Chicago on Thursday.

The Hurricanes had a 4-0 shutout victory over the New York Rangers courtesy of a 22-save shutout by Frederik Andersen. That said, they will likely switch to Kochetkov between the pipes on Thursday against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 25-year-old Kochetkov has a 2.48 GAA and .903 SV% through 31 games this season (18-9-3). He has been solid lately, posting a .913 SV% across his last 15 games (7-5-3). The Hurricanes enter Thursday's contest as dominant -398 home favorites against a Blackhawks squad coming off an impressive 4-1 win over the Tampa Bay Lightning.

Source:
Carolina Hurricanes 2025-01-30T20:35:06.425Z
Pyotr Kochetkov
Karel Vejmelka(G)|UTA
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Vejmelka will start vs. Columbus on Friday.

Utah HC finds themselves in a three-game losing skid and will attempt to return to the win column with Vejmelka between the pipes on Friday against the Columbus Blue Jackets. Vejmelka allowed three goals on 27 shots (.889 SV%) in his most recent outing, a 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators. The 28-year-old Czech netminder is sporting a solid 2.47 GAA and .912 SV% through 30 appearances this season (11-14-3).

Source:
Belle Fraser 2025-01-30T20:23:02.729Z
Karel Vejmelka
Mattias Ekholm(D)|EDM
Injury
Injury
Ekholm (illness) is expected to play vs. Detroit on Thursday after missing practice on Wednesday.

Ekholm did not practice on Wednesday due to an illness but will likely play against the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday. The 34-year-old Ekholm is averaging 22:45 time-on-ice and has 22 points (7G / 15A) in 50 games this season.

Source:
Jamie Umbach 2025-01-30T20:17:46.044Z
Mattias Ekholm
Drew Doughty(D)|LAK
Injury
Injury
Doughty (rest) will be a game-time decision in Tampa Bay on Thursday.

Doughty made his season debut on Wednesday, returning from a 47-game absence due to ankle surgery, and could miss Thursday's game against the Tampa Bay Lightning as he acclimates back to game-speed. Over the last two seasons, Doughty averaged nearly 26:00 TOI/GP. In 82 games in 2023-24, he had 15 goals, 50 points, 44 PIMs, and a +15 plus/minus.

Source:
Zach Dooley 2025-01-30T20:17:00.831Z
Drew Doughty
Connor Hellebuyck(G)|WPG
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Hellebuyck was in the starter's crease at Winnipeg's morning skate.

The Jets will likely turn to Hellebuyck between the pipes on Thursday in a meeting with the Boston Bruins. Hellebuyck was stellar, as he has been all season, in his most recent outing, saving 24 of 25 shots (.960 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens. The 31-year-old Hellebuyck is sporting a terrific 2.00 GAA and .927 SV% through 40 games this season (31-7-2). The Jets enter Thursday's contest as -145 road favorites against a Bruins squad coming off a 7-2 loss to the Buffalo Sabres.

Source:
Ken Wiebe 2025-01-30T20:15:15.532Z
Connor Hellebuyck
David Rittich(G)|NYI
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Rittich is expected to start in Tampa Bay on Thursday.

The Kings failed to score on Wednesday, losing 3-0 to the Florida Panthers, and will turn to Rittich between the pipes on Thursday against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Rittich struggled in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 32 shots (.844 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins. The 32-year-old Czech netminder has a 2.65 GAA and .884 SV% in 22 appearances this season (11-10-0). The Kings enter Thursday's contest as +130 road underdogs against a Lightning squad with losses in four of their last five games (1-4-0).

Source:
Zach Dooley 2025-01-30T20:09:47.099Z
David Rittich

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!