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NHL Hockey Player News

Demko (lower-body) is ready to return vs. Buffalo on Thursday.

Demko has been sidelined for several weeks with a lower-body injury and if he returns to the crease on Thursday against the Buffalo Sabres, it would mark his first appearance between the pipes since November 11th. The 29-year-old Demko has battled adversity with injuries over the past several seasons and will likely be eased back into action upon his return. He has a 2.80 GAA and .903 SV% in 10 games (5-4-0) this season.

Thatcher Demko
Salomonsson has been loaned to Manitoba (AHL).

Salamonsson was drafted in the second-round, 55th overall, by the Jets in the 2022 NHL Entry Draft. The 21-year-old Swedish defenseman made his NHL debut this season, playing four games with Winnipeg. He made his North American professional debut last season in the AHL, scoring 27 points (5G / 22A) in 53 games with the Manitoba Moose.

Elias Salomonsson
Pettersson (upper-body) is hoping to practice with the Canucks on Wednesday.

Pettersson participated in warmups on Saturday but was unable to play and has missed two straight games. He was reevaluated, and the indications are that the results were promising, as he aims to return to practice on Wednesday. The 27-year-old Pettersson was having a semi-resurgent season, with 22 points (8G / 14A) in 28 games.

Elias Pettersson
Kotkaniemi will be a healthy scratch vs. Columbus on Tuesday.

Mark Jankowski will draw back into the Hurricanes' lineup on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, sending Kotkaniemi to the sidelines as a healthy scratch. The 26-year-old Kotkaniemi recently returned from a multi-week absence due to an injury, and has a -2 plus/minus while averaging 12:22 time-on-ice in those two games.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi
Jankowski will draw back into Carolina's lineup vs. Columbus on Tuesday.

Jesperi Kotkaniemi will be a healthy scratch on Tuesday against the Columbus Blue Jackets, allowing Jankowski to re-enter the lineup. The 31-year-old Jankowski has four points (1G / 3A) and is averaging 11:05 time-on-ice through 17 games this season.

Mark Jankowski
Swayman will start in St. Louis on Tuesday.

The Bruins will look to extend their winning streak to three games with Swayman tending the twine on Tuesday against the St. Louis Blues. The 27-year-old Swayman was excellent in his most recent outing, saving 29 of 30 shots (.967 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the New Jersey Devils. He has a 2.70 GAA and .913 SV% in 19 games this season (12-7-0). The Bruins enter Tuesday's contest as +112 road underdogs against a Blues team on a two-game winning streak.

Jeremy Swayman
Hofer will start vs. Boston on Tuesday.

The Blues' miserable 2025-26 season has some rare positive notes, riding a two-game winning streak and receiving impressive goaltending from Joel Hofer. The 25-year-old Hofer posted an ugly 3.70 GAA and .836 SV% in his first six games (1-5-0), but has been the most reliable goalie on the team in recent weeks, posting an excellent 2.00 GAA and .928 SV% in his last eight games (3-3-2). The Blues enter Tuesday's contest as -130 home favorites against a Boston Bruins team that defeated them 5-2 less than a week ago.

Joel Hofer
Necas (illness) will be a game-time decision vs. Nashville on Tuesday.

Necas has been outstanding in his first full season with Colorado, but could miss his first game due to illness. The 27-year-old forward had a career-high 83 points (27G / 56A) in 79 games last season and is pacing to shatter those totals in 2025-26, with 39 points (14G / 25A) in 29 games, a 110-point pace in 82 games.

Martin Necas
Wedgewood will start in Nashville on Tuesday.

Wedgewood has not played since suffering a lower-body injury a week ago, but he will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Nashville Predators. The 33-year-old Wedgewood is having a storybook season with Colorado, posting a superb 2.07 GAA and .920 SV% in 19 games (13-1-3). Colorado enters the action on Tuesday as sizable -202 road favorites against a Nashville Predators team amid their best six-game stretch of the season (4-2-0).

Scott Wedgewood
Kolyachonok will be a healthy scratch vs. Winnipeg on Tuesday.

With Thomas Harley (lower body) returning from a multi-week absence, Kolyachonok will exit the lineup and serve as a healthy scratch. A myriad of injuries on the Dallas blueline allowed Kolyachonok to make his team debut last month, and he proved reliable in limited action, averaging 12:42 time-on-ice and scoring three points (1G / 2A) in 10 games.

Vladislav Kolyachonok
DeSmith will start in Winnipeg on Tuesday.

The red-hot Stars have points in 15 of their last 16 games (13-1-2), which can be largely attributed to solid tandem netminding from Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith. The 34-year-old DeSmith will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. DeSmith has been outstanding in a supporting role this season, helping his team record at least a point in nine straight games (6-0-3) while posting a tremendous 1.90 GAA and .933 SV%. The Stars enter Tuesday's contest as -127 road favorites against a Jets team that has lost three of their last four (1-2-1).

Casey DeSmith
Harley (lower-body) will return to Dallas' lineup in Winnipeg on Tuesday.

Harley has not played since November 13th, and few details have been revealed about his injury. He was back at practice on Friday and will return to the lineup on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 24-year-old Harley was battling the injury before being sidelined, resulting in a lackluster start to the season, with 10 points (1G / 9A) and a -7 plus/minus in 18 games. Before the start of the season, Stars' Head Coach Glen Gulutzan hinted that Harley and Miro Heiskanen may split time on the team's powerplay unit, but given Heiskanen's hot start to the season, it's unlikely that Harley sees much time outside of the second unit.

Thomas Harley
DeSmith is expected to start in Winnipeg on Tuesday.

The red-hot Stars have points in 15 of their last 16 games (13-1-2), which can be largely attributed to solid tandem netminding from Jake Oettinger and Casey DeSmith. The 34-year-old DeSmith will return to the crease on Tuesday against the Winnipeg Jets. DeSmith has been outstanding in a supporting role this season, helping his team record at least a point in nine straight games (6-0-3) while posting a tremendous 1.90 GAA and .933 SV%. The Stars enter Tuesday's contest as -127 road favorites against a Jets team that has lost three of their last four (1-2-1).

Casey DeSmith
Rempe (upper-body) will travel with New York on their upcoming road trip and is expected to skate with the extras on Wednesday.

Rempe has not played since October 23rd, injured in a fight with San Jose's Ryan Reaves, but appears to be nearing a return to the lineup. The 23-year-old Rempe had one goal and 30 hits in nine games with the Rangers before his injury.

Matt Rempe
Pastrnak (undisclosed) will be a game-time decision in St. Louis on Tuesday.

Pastrnak has been incredibly resilient for the Bruins, playing all 82 games in the previous three seasons, but has missed five games due to an undisclosed injury. That said, he is nearing a return and if he is unable to suit up against the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday, he should be ready to play on Thursday against the Winnipeg Jets. The 29-year-old elite Czech forward has 29 points (11G / 18A) in 25 games, factoring in on 37 percent of Boston's goals before his injury.

David Pastrnak
Kyrou is week-to-week with a lower-body injury.

Kyrou played just 53 seconds before leaving Saturday's game with a lower-body injury that he sustained hit from Stephen Halliday. Post-game, Blues' head coach Jim Montgomery said that Kyrou needs an MRI for a full diagnosis. It's unclear what the MRI revealed, but Kyrou will be sidelined week-to-week. The 27-year-old forward had 16 points (8G / 8A) and a -9 plus/minus in 28 games before his injury.

Jordan Kyrou
Smith (upper-body) will remain out vs. Colorado on Tuesday but is now considered day-to-day.

Smith has not played since November 1st, tending to an upper-body injury, and will miss at least one more game. Before his injury, the 30-year-old forward had three goals in 13 games. His next chance to return to the lineup will be on Thursday against the St. Louis Blues.

Cole Smith
Skinner will start vs. Buffalo on Tuesday.

The Oilers have crept their way back up the standings, winning three of their last four (3-1-0) and receiving vastly improved goaltending from Stuart Skinner. The 27-year-old Skinner has an unimpressive 2.86 GAA and .889 SV% in 21 games (10-8-3), but has been much better lately, posting a 2.0 GAA and .915 SV% in his last five games (3-2-0). The Oilers enter Tuesday's contest as sizable -202 home favorites against a Buffalo Sabres team that beat them 5-1 earlier this season, but is on a three-game losing streak (0-3-0).

Stuart Skinner

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!