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NHL Hockey Player News

Roope Hintz(C)|DAL
Injury
Injury
Hintz (lower-body) is questionable to play in Round 1.

Hintz has been sidelined by a lower-body injury since March 6th and is questionable to play at all during Round 1 of the playoffs. Head coach Glen Gulutzan said he might have an update on Monday, but he'll miss Game 1 on Saturday.

Source:
Michael Russo 2026-04-18T20:40:29.689Z
Roope Hintz
Miro Heiskanen(D)|DAL
Injury
Injury
Heiskanen (lower-body) will play in Game 1 vs. Minnesota.

Heiskanen missed the final three games of the regular season with a lower-body injury, but was a full participant in Friday's practice and will play in Game 1 on Saturday. Heiskanen had another incredible season, posting nine goals and 54 assists (63 points) in 77 games.

Source:
Michael Russo 2026-04-18T20:38:32.831Z
Miro Heiskanen
Tyler Kleven(D)|OTT
Injury
Injury
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.

Source:
Bruce Garrioch 2026-04-18T13:47:02.050Z
Tyler Kleven
Leevi Merilainen(G)|OTT
Call Up
Call Up
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.

Source:
@Media_Sens 2026-04-18T13:44:41.297Z
Leevi Merilainen
Jason Dickinson(C)|EDM
Injury
Injury
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.

Source:
Mark Spector 2026-04-18T13:42:52.938Z
Jason Dickinson
Leon Draisaitl(C)|EDM
Injury
Injury
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.

Source:
Jason Gregor 2026-04-18T13:40:48.278Z
Leon Draisaitl

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!