San Jose has acquired Ryan Reaves from Toronto for Henry Thrun.
NHL Hockey Player News
Toronto has acquired Henry Thrun from San Jose for Ryan Reaves.
Colorado has signed Josh Manson to a two-year contract extension worth $3.95 million AAV ($7.9M total).
Manson still had one year left on his current contract, but will extend his time with the Avalanche for two more years after he signed a two-year contract extension worth $3.95 million AAV ($7.9M total). The 33-year-old bruising defenseman only appeared in 48 games in 2024-25 due to injury, but still had a goal, 15 points and 28 PIMs. He is entering his fifth season with Colorado and is expected to return to his regular defensive role.
San Jose has signed Jakub Skarek to a one-year, two-way contract.
San Jose added to their goaltending depth on Thursday after adding 25-year-old netminder Jakub Skarek on a one-year, two-way contract. The Czech goaltender made his NHL debut in 2024-25 with the Islanders, but struggled with a 0-1-0 record, .872 SV% and 3.94 GAA. He is expected to start the 2025-26 season with the San Jose Barracuda (AHL).
Dallas has acquired Vladislav Kolyachonok from Pittsburgh for Matt Dumba and a 2028 2nd Round Pick.
Dallas managed to move some much-needed salary on Thursday after trading Matt Dumba ($3.75M cap hit) and a 2028 2nd Round Pick to Pittsburgh for Vladislav Kolyachonok. Kolyachonok is a 24-year-old defenseman entering his fifth NHL campaign, having recorded two goals and seven points in 35 games played between Utah and Pittsburgh last season.
Pittsburgh has acquired Matt Dumba and a 2028 2nd Round Pick from Dallas for Vladislav Kolyachonok.
Pittsburgh took advantage of Dallas' need to shed salary on Thursday by acquiring Matthew Dumba and a 2028 2nd Round Pick from Dallas for Vladislav Kolyachonok. Dumba has been on the move often lately, joining his fifth team in the last four seasons, entering his 13th NHL season. In 63 games with Dallas in 2024-25, he had a goal, 10 points and 60 PIMs.
Florida has signed Mackie Samoskevich to a one-year, $775,000 contract extension.
With funds tight in Florida for the upcoming 2025-26 season, Mackie Samoskevich has signed a one-year, $775,000 bridge contract to remain with the Panthers. The 22-year-old scrappy right-winger was Florida's 2021 1st-round pick (24th overall) and made a big impact throughout their lineup in 2024-25 with 15 goals, 31 points and 129 SOG in 72 games played.
Retirement
Riley Nash has retired from professional hockey after 12 NHL seasons.
Nash last played in the NHL with the New York Rangers in 2023-24 and announced his retirement from professional hockey on Wednesday after 12 NHL seasons. The Albertan center enjoyed a solid NHL career with 63 goals and 176 points in 628 games while representing 8 different organizations (CAR,CBJ,BOS,ARI,WPG,TBL, TOR, NYR).
Vancouver has signed Braeden Cootes to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Vancouver has signed their 2025 1st-round pick in Braeden Cootes after the 18-year-old forward signed a three-year, entry-level contract on Wednesday. The Alberta native spent 2024-25 captaining the Seattle Thunderbirds (WHL) and had 26 goals and 63 points in 60 games played. He will attempt to secure a position on the Canucks for the upcoming season but is expected to eventually return to Seattle for the majority of 2025-26.
Dallas has signed Antonio Stranges to a one-year, two-way contract extension.
Antonio Stranges will return to Texas (AHL) for a fourth consecutive season after Dallas announced they had signed the 23-year-old to a one-year, two-way extension. The shifty forward was Dallas' 2020 4th-round pick (123rd overall) but has yet to make an NHL appearance despite picking up 18 goals and 43 points in 55 games played in 2024-25 with Texas (AHL).
Vegas has signed Lukas Cormier to a one-year, two-way contract extension.
After three successful seasons in Henderson (AHL), Lukas Cormier will return for a fourth campaign after signing a one-year, two-way contract extension with Vegas on Wednesday. The 23-year-old puck-moving defenseman only appeared in 19 games with Henderson in 2024-25 due to injury, but still picked up nine assists and a -9 plus/minus. He is expected to start 2025-26 with Henderson but will provide depth if needed for the Golden Knights.
Calgary has signed Sam Morton to a one-year, two-way extension.
Morton made his NHL debut in 2024-25 with one goal in one game and has earned himself a one-year, two-way extension to remain in Calgary for the upcoming season. The undrafted 25-year-old spent his first full professional season with the Calgary Wranglers (AHL) in 2024-25, picking up 20 goals and 45 points in 70 games played.
Edmonton has signed Isaac Howard to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Minutes after being acquired by Edmonton in a trade with Tampa Bay for Sam O'Reilly, Isaac Howard has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Oilers. The 21-year-old forward was the 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner after putting up 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games with Michigan State University (NCAA). He is expected to be in Edmonton's opening night lineup.
Edmonton has acquired Isaac Howard from Tampa Bay for Sam O'Reilly.
Minutes after being acquired by Edmonton in a trade with Tampa Bay for Sam O'Reilly, Isaac Howard has signed a three-year, entry-level contract with the Oilers. The 21-year-old forward was the 2025 Hobey Baker Award winner after putting up 26 goals and 52 points in 37 games with Michigan State University (NCAA). He is expected to be in Edmonton's opening night lineup.
Tampa Bay has acquired Sam O'Reilly from Edmonton for the rights to Isaac Howard.
With Tampa Bay expected not to sign Isaac Howard, they have traded his rights to Edmonton for Sam O'Reilly on Tuesday night. O'Reilly is a 19-year-old center who was drafted by Edmonton at the end of the 1st round (32nd overall) in the 2024 Draft. He put up 28 goals and 71 points in 62 games with London in his third OHL season and is expected to return for the Knights for the upcoming 2025-26 season.
Pittsburgh has signed Benjamin Kindel to a three-year, entry-level contract.
Kindel was Pittsburgh's 2025 1st round pick (11th overall) and has signed a three-year, entry-level contract just weeks after being drafted. The 18-year-old right-winger spent 2024-25 with Calgary (WHL), where he was a point shy of the century mark with 35 goals and 99 points in 65 games played. He is expected to return to Calgary this season but may receive an extended look with the Penguins with a strong training camp.
St. Louis has signed Vadim Zherenko to a one-year, two-way contract extension.
Vadim Zherenko will return for a fourth season in Springfield (AHL) after signing a one-year, two-way contract extension with St. Louis. The 24-year-old Russian netminder was St. Louis' 2019 7th-round pick (208th overall) and spent the entire 2024-25 season with Springfield, where he struggled with his 12-17-5 record, .897 SV% and 3,44 GAA.
Washington has signed Sheldon Rempal to a one-year, two-way contract extension.
After one successful season in the KHL with Salavat Yulaev Ufa, Sheldon Rempal has returned to North America and has signed a one-year, two-way contract extension wth Washington. The 29-year-old last spent time with Vegas in the 2023-24 season, where he appeared in nine games and recorded two goals and three assists in limited minutes. In 68 games in the KHL in 2024-25, he had 31 goals and 61 points. He is expected to compete for a bottom-six spot on Washington to start the 2025-26 season.
Philadelphia has agreed to a five-year contract extension with Cam York worth $5.15 million AAV ($25.75M total).
York will get a massive payday increase as we enter the 2025-26 season after signing a five-year contract worth $5.15 million AAV ($25.75M total) to remain with Philadelphia. The 24-year-old is coming off a two-year, $3.2 million contract ($1.6M AAV) and earned his contract with a four-goal, 17-point season across 66 games played in 2024-25. York is expected to take on a big role as one of Philadelphia's top defenders this season.
Vancouver has signed Nikita Tolopilo to a two-year, two-way contract extension.
After 40 wins in the last two seasons with Abbotsford (AHL), Nikita Tolopilo has earned himself a two-year, two-way contract extension to remain with Vancouver. The 25-year-old undrafted Belarusian netminder made his NHL debut in 2024-25 but struggled in just two appearances, with a .885 SV% and 2.15 GAA. He is expected to start the 2025-26 season in Abbotsford and will likely have to battle with Arturs Silovs for the starting position yet again.
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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- 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.
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- 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.