NHL Hockey Player News

Seattle has signed Nathan Villeneuve to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Villeneuve was a second-round pick, 63rd overall, of the Seattle Kraken in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft. The 18-year-old forward has spent the previous three seasons in the OHL, including scoring 70 points (34G / 36A) in 57 games with the Sudbury Wolves.

Lycksell has cleared waivers and been reassigned to Lehigh Valley (AHL).

Lycksell played a career-high 19 games with the Flyers this season, scoring five points (0G / 5A). The 25-year-old forward has spent most of the 2024-25 campaign in the AHL, where he has 41 points (17G / 24A) in 40 games with the Lehigh Valley Phantoms (AHL).

Olle Lycksell
Fleury will start vs. San Jose on Wednesday.

Minnesota continues its push to try and secure a Wild Card spot in the Western Conference and will turn to Fleury between the pipes on Wednesday against the San Jose Sharks. Fleury has only played once in the last month, a 33-save performance (.892 SV%) in a 5-1 loss to the Vegas Golden Knights on March 25th. The 40-year-old netminder has a 2.78 GAA and .903 SV% in 23 appearances this season (12-9-1).

Marc-Andre Fleury
Ivan Demidov has signed a three-year, entry-level contract and will join Montreal right away.

Demidov was the fifth-overall pick of the Montreal Canadiens in the 2024 NHL Entry Draft and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Tuesday. The 19-year-old forward spent the entirety of the 2024-25 campaign in the KHL, tallying 49 points (19G / 30A) in 65 games.

Ivan Demidov
Schmid was the first goalie off the ice at Vegas' morning skate.

Schmid made his first start of the season on the weekend, saving 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 3-2 overtime win over the Calgary Flames. The 24-year-old Schmid will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Colorado Avalanche. He has spent most of the 2024-25 season in the AHL, posting a 3.58 GAA and .886 SV% in 30 games (9-18-3) with the Henderson Silver Knights. The Golden Knights enter Tuesday's contest as +116 road underdogs against an Avalanche team coming off a 5-4 loss to the St. Louis Blues.

Akira Schmid
Swayman will start in New Jersey on Tuesday.

Swayman was outstanding in his most recent outing, saving 39 of 40 shots (.975 SV%), helping the Bruins snap a 10-game losing skid (0-9-1) in a 5-1 win over the Carolina Hurricanes. Still, the 26-year-old Swayman has had a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, posting a 3.08 GAA and .895 SV% in 55 games (21-28-6) after finishing seventh in Vezina trophy voting in 2023-24, with a 2.53 GAA and .916 SV% in 44 games (25-10-8). The Bruins enter Tuesday's contest as sizeable +219 road underdogs against a New Jersey Devils team riding a three-game winning streak.

Jeremy Swayman
Demko will start in Dallas on Tuesday.

The Canucks playoff hopes are dwindling quickly, but they'll keep hope alive on Tuesday with Demko tending the twine against the Dallas Stars. Demko was solid in his most recent outing, saving 30 of 32 shots (.938 SV%) in a 6-2 win over the Anaheim Ducks. The 29-year-old Demko has a 2.86 GAA and .891 SV% through 22 games this season (9-8-3). The Canucks enter Tuesday's contest as +172 road underdogs against a Stars team amid a two-game losing skid (0-1-1).

Thatcher Demko
Marino (upper-body) will be out vs. Seattle on Tuesday and is considered day-to-day.

Marino is battling an undisclosed injury, did not practice on Monday, and will be sidelined on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. The 27-year-old Marino is averaging 21:10 time-on-ice and has 14 points (1G / 13A) in 35 games this season.

John Marino
Vejmelka will start vs. Seattle on Tuesday.

Utah has given Vejmelka the heaviest workload of any netminder over the previous two months, and he will return to the crease for his 21st consecutive start on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. The 28-year-old Czech goalie was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the league-leading Winnipeg Jets. He has a 2.53 GAA and .906 SV% in 54 games this season (24-21-7). Utah enters Tuesday's contest as sizeable -223 home favorites against a Seattle team that defeated the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 last night.

Karel Vejmelka
Reimer will start vs. Carolina on Tuesday.

Reimer has started six of the previous eight games for the Sabres (6-0-0), and he will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Carolina Hurricanes. The 37-year-old Reimer has been excellent during his six-game winning streak, posting a 2.79 GAA and .906 SV%. He has a 2.93 GAA and .899 SV% in 20 appearances this season (8-8-2). The Sabres enter Tuesday's contest as +184 home underdogs against a Hurricanes squad outscored 10-4 during a two-game losing skid (0-2-0).

James Reimer
Wedgewood will start vs. Vegas on Tuesday.

Heading into the postseason, Colorado has opted to rotate goalies and will turn to Wedgewood between the pipes for the third time in their last five games. The 32-year-old Wedgewood was solid in his most recent outing, saving 21 of 23 shots (.913 SV%) in a 3-2 shootout victory over the Chicago Blackhawks. The 32-year-old Wedgewood has a 2.00 GAA and .919 SV% in 17 appearances this Colorado this season (11-4-1). Colorado enters Tuesday's contest as -128 home favorites against a Vegas Golden Knights team riding a two-game winning streak.

Scott Wedgewood
Kochetkov is in the starter's crease at Carolina's morning skate.

The Hurricanes have lost two straight and will turn to Kochetkov between the pipes on Tuesday against the Buffalo Sabres. Kochetkov has struggled lately, his worst run of the season, posting an ugly 4.61 GAA and .804 SV% in his last four games (1-3-0). The 25-year-old goalie has a 2.57 GAA and .898 SV% in 44 appearances this season (26-14-3). Still, the Hurricanes enter Tuesday's contest as sizeable -204 road favorites against a Sabres team riding a four-game winning streak.

Pyotr Kochetkov
Vejmelka was the first goalie off the ice at Utah's morning skate.

Utah has given Vejmelka the heaviest workload of any netminder over the previous two months, and he will likely return to the crease for his 21st consecutive start on Tuesday against the Seattle Kraken. The 28-year-old Czech goalie was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 32 of 33 shots (.970 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the league-leading Winnipeg Jets. He has a 2.53 GAA and .906 SV% in 54 games this season (24-21-7). Utah enters Tuesday's contest as sizeable -223 home favorites against a Seattle team that defeated the Los Angeles Kings 2-1 last night.

Karel Vejmelka
Sorokin is in the starter's net at New York's morning skate.

Despite allowing Alex Ovechkin's record-breaking 895th goal on Sunday, Sorokin was excellent, saving 28 of 29 shots (.966 SV%) in the 4-1 win. He will likely return to the crease on Tuesday against the Nashville Predators. The 29-year-old Sorokin has a 2.73 GAA and .906 SV% in 58 games this season (29-23-6). The Islanders enter Tuesday's contest as -115 home favorites against a Predators team amid a six-game losing skid (0-6-0).

Ilya Sorokin
Boqvist (rest) is expected to be out vs. Toronto on Tuesday.

The Panthers have liberally been resting players approaching the playoffs and Boqvist will be the next player to exit the lineup on Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 26-year-old Boqvist has been solid in a secondary role for the Panthers this season, scoring 23 points (12G / 11A) in 74 games this season.

Jesper Boqvist

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

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