Hedman (personal) as started skating but he’s not available to play at the moment.
Daily Faceoff is a news site with no direct affiliation to the NHL, or NHLPA
NHL Hockey Player News
Lizotte (upper-body) will play in Game 1 vs. the Flyers.
Dewar (lower-body) will play in Game 1 vs. the Flyers.
Kleven (upper-body) will not play in Game 1.
Goalie Start
Luukkonen was in the starter's crease at Saturday's practice.
Goalie Start
Andersen will start Game 1 vs. the Senators.
Goalie Start
Oettinger is expected to start Game 1 vs. Minnesota.
Goalie Start
Ullmark will start Game 1 in Carolina.
Goalie Start
Skinner will start Game 1 vs. the Flyers.
Kleven (upper-body) is questionable to play in Game 1 in Carolina.
Kleven missed the final seven games of the regular season and is questionable to play in Game 1 in Carolina. Kleven was on the ice for Friday's practice, but skated as an extra, signalling that he may be unavailable to open the series. Head coach Travis Green said that Kleven is closer to playing, but likely won't announce any lineup changes ahead of warmups.
The Senators recalled Leevi Merilainen from Belleville (AHL).
Merilainen has played well in the AHL as of late and figures to serve as Ottawa's third goalie throughout the postseason. Merilainen has gone 8-8-1 with a 2.77 GAA and .909 SV% in 19 AHL games, bu struggled with Ottawa, posting an 8-10-1 record, 3.51 GAA and .860 SV% in 20 games.
Dickinson (leg) is expected to return to practice on Sunday.
Dickinson was not on the ice for Friday's practice, but is expected to skate on Sunday, which could make him a possibility for Game 1 on Monday. If Dickinson and fellow centre Leon Draisaitl play in Game 1, the Oilers would be at 100 percent to start their series vs. Anaheim. Dickinson figures to play a key shutdown role, allowing Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl to face easier matchups.
Draisaitl (lower-body) was a full participant in Friday's practice but remains questionable for Game 1.
Draisaitl skated in his usual spot on the Oilers' second-line, but the Oilers said that he still needed to be evaluated before a decision is made on his status for Game 1. If Draisaitl plays, it will be his first game since March 15th.
The Jets have signed Garrett Brown to a two-year, entry-level contract.
Brown was a fourth-round pick (No.99 overall) in 2022 and signs with the Jets after finishing his junior season at the University of Denver. The 22-year-old rig-shot defenceman had two goals and 10 assists (12 points) in 33 games this season.
The Ducks have reassigned Tristan Luneau to San Diego (AHL).
Luneau played in the Ducks' season finale, but returns to the AHL, signalling that either Olen Zellweger or Radko Gudas will be back in the lineup for Game 1. Luneau has spent the entire season in San Diego, where he has 41 points (10G / 31A) in 69 games.
Karlsson (lower-body) will not be available to start Round 1 but continues to progress.
Golden Knights' GM Kelly McCrimmon said he doesn’t expect Karlsson back unless the team “has some success in the playoffs for him to play again.” So it sounds like Karlsson will miss Round 1, but could return if the Golden Knights advance. The 33-year-old third line centre has been out since November 8th.
Goalie Start
Vladar will start Game 1 in Pittsburgh.
Goalie Start
Andersen was in the starter's crease at Thursday and Friday's practice, suggesting he'll start Game 1 vs. Ottawa.
Heiskanen (lower-body) practiced on Friday and will be a game-time decision for Game 1.
The Mammoth have recalled Matt Villalta from Tucson (AHL).
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!
- NHL Player Injury Updates and Recovery Timelines – See all the latest NHL player injury updates, timelines for their return, and impact made on each team.
- NHL Waiver Wire Moves and Implications – Check out all the latest moves made on the NHL waiver wire and their implications on the teams involved.
- NHL Latest Line Combination Changes – Bringing you every line combination from across all 32 NHL teams, check out the latest NHL line combination changes made ahead of their next tilt.
- NHL Player Signings and Contract Details – Your go-to spot during NHL free agency, check out the latest NHL player signings and contract details today.
- NHL Roster Changes and Transactions – Looking to see what the latest moves made by your favourite team were? Then check out the latest NHL roster changes and transactions here on DFO.