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NHL Hockey Player News

Casey DeSmith(G)|DAL
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
DeSmith will start vs. Buffalo on Wednesday.

DeSmith has seen a steady dose of action lately and returns to the crease for the sixth time this month. The 34-year-old goalie has been excellent in a supporting role this season, but is coming off one of his weaker performances, allowing four goals on 25 shots (.840 SV%) in a 4-3 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings. DeSmith has a stellar 2.33 GAA and .915 SV% in 14 appearances this season (9-1-4). The Stars enter Wednesday's contest as -152 home favorites against the hottest team in the NHL, the Buffalo Sabres, who are riding a nine-game winning streak.

Source:
Owen Newkirk 2025-12-31T17:25:48.295Z
Casey DeSmith
Chris Tanev(D)|TOR
Injury
Injury
Tanev (groin) is expected to miss an extended period of time.

Tanev has only played three games since returning from a seven-week absence due to an injury and will return to the sidelines indefinitely. The 36-year-old Tanev has been plagued with injuries this season, limited to only 11 games, recording two assists and 15 blocks.

Source:
Jonas Siegel 2025-12-31T17:14:25.905Z
Chris Tanev
Dylan McIlrath(D)|WSH
Line Change
Line Change
McIlrath will draw back into Washington's lineup on Wednesday vs. New York.

McIlrath has not played in over three weeks and has been limited to only four games this season, but he will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the New York Rangers. The 33-year-old defenseman is averaging 11:12 time-on-ice this season. Trevor van Riemsdyk will exit the lineup.

Source:
Sammi Silber 2025-12-31T17:12:28.496Z
Dylan McIlrath
Adam Fox(D)|NYR
Injury
Injury
Fox (lower-body) will return in Washington on Wednesday.

Fox was a full participant in the previous couple of practices for the Rangers and will return to the lineup on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals. The 27-year-old Fox has not played since the end of November. He has 26 points (3G / 23A) in 27 games this season. Scott Morrow was reassigned to Hartford (AHL) in a corresponding move.

Source:
Mollie Walker 2025-12-31T17:06:04.587Z
Adam Fox
Jonathan Quick(G)|NYR
Goalie Start
Goalie Start
Quick will start in Washington on Wednesday.

The Rangers will turn to Quick on the tail end of a back-to-back on Wednesday against the Washington Capitals. Quick has been excellent in a supporting role but has been punished by the Rangers' lack of scoring, posting a losing 3-5-1 record despite an elite 1.79 GAA and .937 SV% in nine games.

Source:
Mollie Walker 2025-12-31T17:03:06.692Z
Jonathan Quick

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!