NHL Hockey Player News

Highmore (upper body) left Wednesday's game early and is not expected to suit on Thursday vs. Los Angeles.

Highmore was recalled from Belleville (AHL) on Wednesday and drew into Ottawa's lineup, tallying one assist before exiting the game with an upper-body injury after 6:06 time-on-ice. The undrafted 28-year-old has 29 points (9G / 20A) in 40 games with Belleville this season.

Matthew Highmore
Chabot (lower body) is out and will be reevaluated before Thursday's game after re-aggravating an earlier injury.

Chabot has been battling a lower-body injury for the past several games and will be out after being re-evaluated before Thursday's game against the Los Angeles Kings. Chabot has one point (1G / 0A) in his past five games after scoring five (3G / 2A) in his previous three. Max Guenette will likely draw into the lineup in Chabot's absence.

Thomas Chabot
Pickard will start on Thursday in Columbus.

Pickard has been excellent in a backup role since joining the Oilers in November and will return to the crease for the second time in the last three games. In his last outing, Pickard saved 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%), having his shutout bid snapped in the third period in a 6-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Oilers enter action as -261 road favourites on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Calvin Pickard
Beckman has been recalled from Iowa (AHL) on Thursday.

With Marcus Johansson being placed on IR due to a lower-body injury, Beckman has been recalled from Iowa (AHL). Beckman was Minnesota's 75th overall pick in the 2019 NHL Entry Draft but has been limited to only 12 career NHL games. In 48 games with the Iowa Wild, Beckman has 29 points (16G / 13A).

Adam Beckman
The Predators have acquired Anthony Beauvillier from the Blackhawks for a 2024 fifth-round pick.

Beauvillier was traded from the Vancouver Canucks to the Chicago Blackhawks earlier this season for a fifth-round pick and has now been flipped from the Blackhawks to the Predators for a fifth-rounder. The 26-year-old Beauvillier struggled for an offensively challenged Blackhawks team, registering six points (2G / 4A) and a - 10 plus/minus in 26 games.

Anthony Beauvillier
Binnington was the first goalie off the ice at the Blues' morning skate.

Binnington has performed admirably most of the season, keeping the Blues in playoff contention, and will likely return to the crease on Thursday night. The 30-year-old Binnington had the night off on Tuesday, a 4-2 loss to the New York Islanders, but is riding a two-game winning streak, allowing only one goal in both outings. The Blues enter action as +157 road underdogs on Thursday against the New Jersey Devils.

Jordan Binnington
Kuemper (illness) was originally scheduled to start on Thursday but missed morning skate and is now a game-time decision.

Kuemper was not at the morning skate on Thursday due to an illness but could still be an option between the pipes in the evening against the Pittsburgh Penguins. Kuemper last played on February 26th and saved 18 of 21 shots (.857 SV%) in a 6-3 win over the Ottawa Senators.

Darcy Kuemper
St. Louis has signed Oskar Sundqvist to a two-year, $3 million contract extension ($1,500,000 AAV).

Sundqvist has quietly been productive in a depth role with the Blues this season, earning himself a two-year, $3 million contract extension. In 62 games this season, Sundqvist has 21 points (5G / 16A), 75 hits, and 46 blocks.

Oskar Sundqvist
Bean will be a healthy scratch on Thursday vs. Edmonton.

The Blue Jackets opted for an 11-forward, seven-defensemen formation on Tuesday but will return to the traditional formation on Thursday as Bean will be a healthy scratch, allowing Kiril Marchenko to draw back into the lineup. Bean played 13:26 time-on-ice on Tuesday, tallying one assist.

Jake Bean
Marchenko will draw back into Columbus' lineup on Thursday vs. Edmonton.

Pascal Vincent and the Blue Jackets coaching staff opted to go with an 11-forward, seven-defenseman formation on Tuesday, but Marchenko will draw back into the lineup on Thursday in favour of Jake Bean. Marchenko tallied an assist and one shot on goal in his last outing, Monday's 6-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights.

Kirill Marchenko
Tarasov will start on Thursday vs. Edmonton.

Tarasov served as the Blue Jackets' backup in their last outing, a 5-3 loss to the Pittsburgh Penguins, but he will return to the crease on Thursday night. The 24-year-old Tarasov was impressive in his last contest, saving 37 of 40 shots (.925 SV%) in a 6-3 victory over the Vegas Golden Knights. Tarasov and the Blue Jackets are +228 home underdogs on Thursday against another challenging foe, the Edmonton Oilers.

Daniil Tarasov
The Maple Leafs have acquired Joel Edmundson from the Capitals for a 2024 third-round pick and a 2025 fifth-round pick.

Edmundson will join the Maple Leafs, likely as a bottom-pairing depth defenseman, as they attempt to bolster their blueline ahead of Friday's trade deadline. The 30-year-old Edmundson had six points (1G / 5A), 58 hits, and 49 blocks in 44 games with the Washington Capitals this season.

Joel Edmundson
Acciari (upper body) will be a game-time decision on Thursday vs. Washington.

Acciari returned to the lineup two weeks ago after a multi-week absence due to an injury, and after playing six games, was on the sidelines in the Penguins' last contest. The Penguins' bottom-six forward has one assist, six shots, and nine hits in his last six games.

Noel Acciari
Pickard is in the starter's crease at Thursday's morning skate.

Pickard has been excellent in a backup role since joining the Oilers in November and will likely return to the crease for the second time in the last three games. In his last outing, Pickard saved 22 of 23 shots (.957 SV%), having his shutout bid snapped in the third period in a 6-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Penguins. The Oilers enter action as -261 road favourites on Thursday against the Columbus Blue Jackets.

Calvin Pickard

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.

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