NHL Hockey Player News

DeSmith will start Tuesday vs. the Islanders.

Its been four games since DeSmith last took over the Canucks' starting crease but he will draw the Islanders in New York Tuesday. The 32-year-old backup net-minder has expectedly done well in his first season with Vancouver, with his 6-3-2 record, 2.58 GAA and .917 SV%. He'll face New York on the road, who has lost three of their last four and are middle of the pack offensively averaging the 18th most goals per game in the NHL (3.08).

Casey DeSmith
Drysdale is expected to make his Flyers' debut Wednesday vs. Montreal.

Dysdale was traded for Cutter Gauthier is a surprise deal Monday and is expected to make his Flyers' debut Wednesday vs. Montreal as he partners with Travis Sanheim. The 21-year-old offensive defensemen heads to Philly after collecting five points (1G/4A) in 10 games after missing most of the early season due to a tornn labrum injury.

Jamie Drysdale
Hagg has been recalled from San Diego (AHL).

Hagg has earned his first call up of the season to the Ducks from San Diego (AHL) after collecting a goal, four points, 16 PIMs and a +7 plus/minus in 22 games to start the season. The 28-year-old shutdown defensemen appeared in 38 games with the Red Wings in 2022-23, picking up seven points (2G/5A) and 26 PIMs.

Robert Hagg
Hill (undisclosed) is expected to travel with the team on their upcoming road trip and could be starting Wednesday vs. Colorado.

Hill has made one appearance (Dec 17th) since November 30th due to an undisclosed injury but is expected to travel with Vegas on their upcoming road trip to Colorado and has a chance to start Wednesday if he is feeling good to go. The 27-year-old Stanley Cup Champion was enjoying a Vezina worthy start to the season as he had a 10-2-2 record, 1.93 GAA and .933 SV% prior to his injury.

Adin Hill
Thompson (illness) is unlikely to travel with the team to Denver Wednesday.

Thompson missed the Golden Knights' practice Tuesday and is not expected to join the team as they head out on a road trip to Denver Wednesday. It comes at a bad time as Adin Hill (undisclosed) has yet to return to the team (but is expected soon). The 26-year-old net-minder has a 12-8-3 record, 2.83 GAA and .902 SV% in 24 games played this season.

Logan Thompson
Skinner will start Tuesday vs. Chicago.

The red-hot Oilers will return to Skinner on Tuesday in a favourable matchup against the injury-depleted Chicago Blackhawks. The Oilers are riding a seven-game winning streak, and, as such, are significant -448 road favourites against a Blackhawks club whose leading active point-producer only has 23 points (8G / 15A) in 33 games. In addition to the already advantageous circumstances for the Oilers, Skinner has been tremendous between the pipes. While winning his last five starts, Skinner has allowed two or fewer goals four times, boasting a sensational .948 SV%.

Stuart Skinner
Chartier (upper body) has been moved to the Long-Term Injured Reserve.

Chartier was moved to the Long-Term Injured Reserve Tuesday as a corresponding move to Mathieau Joseph being moved off the Injured Reserve. Chartier has been on the IR since December 15th due to an upper body injury and put a halt to his season after two points (1G/1A) in 25 games played.

Rourke Chartier
Joseph (upper body) has been activated from the Injured Reserve and is a game-time decision Tuesday.

Joesph has been out for the Senators' previous 10 games but was activated from the Injured Reserve Tuesday and will be a game-time decision vs. Calgary. Ottawa moved Rourke Chariter to the LTIR in a corresponding move. Joseph is having his best career season to date with 19 points (6G/13A) in 25 games played alongside his +12 plus/minus and 27 PIMs.

Mathieu Joseph
Lehkonen (upper body) will join the Avalanche on their upcoming road trip and has a good chance to return to the lineup.

Lehkonen participated in his first full practice on Monday after several weeks of wearing a non-contact jersey and could play on Colorado's upcoming road trip. Before his injury, Lehkonen had eight points (3G / 5A) in 12 games, averaging 18:30 time-on-ice, playing predominantly alongside Nathan MacKinnon and Mikko Rantanen, including top powerplay deployment. Valeri Nischushkin has been the main benefactor, occupying Lehkonen's offensive deployment, scoring 32 points (18G / 14A) in 26 games since.

Artturi Lehkonen
Shepard has been reassigned to Hershey (AHL).

With the immanent return to Charlie Lindgren (lower body), Hunter Shepard has been returned to the Hershey Bears (AHL) on Tuesday. The 28-year-old American netminder made his NHL debut this season and has appeared in four games with the Capitals, posting a 2-2-0, 3.19 GAA and .894 SV%.

Hunter Shepard
Oshie (lower body) is "on track" to return Thursday vs. Seattle.

Oshie has missed 17 of the last 21, including the last 11 with a lower-body injury, but is set to return on Thursday against the Seattle Kraken. Oshie has struggled this year with only four points (2G / 2A) in 26 games but was on a two-game point streak, scoring two points (1G / 1A) in his last two outings.

T.J. Oshie
Lindgren (lower body) has been activated off the Injured Reserve.

Lindgren has been activated from IR after missing five games, resulting in Hunter Shepard being reassigned to the Hershey Bears (AHL). The Capitals have gone 2-2-1 in Lindgren's absence and will be eager to welcome him back. Before his injury, Lindgren saved 56 of the last 59 shots he faced (.949 SV%), posting a 1-0-1 record.

Charlie Lindgren
Tarasov will start Tuesday in Winnipeg.

Tarasov will start for the third straight game for the Blue Jackets and look to rebound with a victory after a disappointing 4-3 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. The 24-year-old Tarasov has been very strong for the Blue Jackets over his last three appearances, collecting a point in each contest (1-0-2) and boasting a .925 SV%. That said, Tarasov and the Blue Jackets have an unfavourable matchup against one of the league's hottest teams, the Winnipeg Jets, who have won six straight games.

Daniil Tarasov
Kupari (shoulder) has been activated from the Injured Reserve and loaned to Manitoba (AHL) for conditioning purposes.

Kupari suffered a shoulder injury after playing only 1:18 on November 14th and has been out of the lineup since. Kupari was averaging 9:35 time-on-ice in the 14 games before his injury, tallying one point (0G / 1A) and a -3 plus/minus.

Rasmus Kupari
Tarasov is expected to start Tuesday vs. Winnipeg.

Tarasov will start for the third straight game for the Blue Jackets and look to rebound with a victory after a disappointing 4-3 overtime loss to the Minnesota Wild on Saturday. The 24-year-old Tarasov has been very strong for the Blue Jackets over his last three appearances, collecting a point in each contest (1-0-2) and boasting a .925 SV%. That said, Tarasov and the Blue Jackets have an unfavourable matchup against one of the league's hottest teams, the Winnipeg Jets, who have won six straight games.

Daniil Tarasov
Rooney has cleared waivers Tuesday and has been assigned to the Calgary Wranglers (AHL).

Rooney had an assist, 14 SOG, seven PIMs and a -2 plus/minus through 17 games played with Calgary in 2022-23 but has been forced to miss all of the 2023-24 season thus far as he remains out of the lineup from off-season shoulder surgery.

Kevin Rooney
Montreal has placed Gustav Lindstrom on waivers Tuesday.

Lindstrom was dealt to Montreal in the offseason alongside a 2025 fourth-round pick for Jeff Petry but has struggled to find his footing in his first season with the Canadiens' and was placed on waivers Tuesday. The 25-year-old carries a $950,000 cap hit and had three goals, and assist, 15 SOG and six PIMs in 14 games played prior to his waiving.

Gustav Lindstrom
Korpisalo is expected to start Tuesday in Calgary.

After a 3-1 loss to the Edmonton Oilers on Saturday with Anton Forsberg between the pipes, the Senators will turn back to Korpisalo on Tuesday. Korpisalo has only one win in his last nine appearances (1-7-0), allowing four or more goals in six contests, posting an abysmal .867 SV%. The Senators are +113 road underdogs against a Calgary Flames squad coming off a disappointing 4-3 regulation loss to the Chicago Blackhawks on Sunday.

Joonas Korpisalo
Stolarz will start Tuesday in St. Louis.

Stolarz will start for the Panthers in a battle of backups as the St. Louis Blues will turn to Joel Hofer between the pipes. The Panthers are among the league's hottest teams, riding a season-best seven-game winning streak, and are -185 road favourites against a Blues club that has scored only three combined goals over their last two games despite winning both contests. Stolarz last played on December 20th, saving 18 of 19 shots (.947 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Montreal Canadiens and has allowed fewer than three goals in each of his last three stars (2-1-0).

Anthony Stolarz

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!