NHL Hockey Player News

The Predators have acquired Erik Haula from the Devils for Jeremy Hanzel and a 2025 4th-round pick.

After three seasons with the Devils, Haula has been traded to Nashville, where he played during the 2021 season. Haula has one more year left on a three-year deal that carries a $3.15M AAV cap-hit. The 34-year-old forward had 11 goals and 10 assists (21 points) in 69 games last season.

Erik Haula
The Blackhawks have signed Ryan Donato to a four-year deal worth $16.0 million ($4.0M AAV).

Donato had a career year in 2024-25, scoring 31 goals with 31 assists (62 points) in 80 games. The Blackhawks decided not to trade him at the trade deadline, a sign that they wanted to re-sign him in the offseason. Donato gets a four-year extension that will keep him in Chicago through the 2028-29 season.

Ryan Donato
Nick Bonino has announced his retirement after 15 NHL seasons.

Bonino retires after 15 seasons with seven different organizations. He's a two-time Stanley Cup Champion (2016 and 2017 with PIT) and wraps up his career with 159 goals, 199 assists (358 points) in 868 games. Bonino, who last played in 2023-24 with the Rangers, has an opportunity to join the Penguins' coaching staff.

Nick Bonino
Anaheim has signed Nikita Nesterenko to a two-year, one-way contract extension.

Nesterenko spent most of the 2024-25 season with San Diego (AHL), where he tallied 34 points (13G / 21A) in 50 games. During his 20 games with the Ducks, Nesterenko had four goals and two assists (six points). The 23-year-old forward will have an uphill battle to make the Ducks out of training camp for the start of the 2025-26 season.

Nikita Nesterenko
Dallas has signed Ben Kraws to a one-year, two-way contract extension.

Dallas continued to add to their goaltending depth on Wednesday after signing 24-year-old goaltender Ben Kraws to a one-year, two-way contract extension. The towering 6'5" netminder spent the majority of 2024-25 with the Idaho Steelheads (ECHL) and had a 2.88 GAA and .910 SV% to go along with his 23-12-5 record.

Benjamin Kraws
Dallas has signed Remi Poirier to a two-year, two-way contract extension.

Dallas signed their second depth goalie of the day on Tuesday after they extended their AHL starter Remi Poirier, to a two-year, two-way contract. The 23-year-old was originally Dallas' 2020 6th-round pick (185th overall) and spent the 2024-25 season with Texas (AHL), where he put up a 17-11-2 record, .908 SV% and 2.50 GAA.

Remi Poirier
New York has signed Matt Rempe to a two-year, $1.95 million contract extension ($975,000 AAV).

After appearing in 42 games in his Sophomore season, Matt Rempe has signed a two-year, $1.95 million contract extension ($975,000 AAV) with New York on the first day of the offseason. The 22-year-old towering bruiser was originally New York's 2020 6th-round pick (165th overall) and has four goals, six points, 138 PIMs and a +8 plus/minus in 59 career NHL games played.

Matt Rempe
Bobrovsky will start Game 6 against the Oilers.

The Panthers will of course turn to Bobrovsky between the pipes when they look to etch their names on the Stanley Cup for the second consecutive season on Tuesday. Bobrovsky turned in another solid performance in Game 5, stopping 19 of the 21 shots he faced enroute to the 5-2 victory. The two-time Vezina Trophy winner has been a reliable backstop all post-season long for Florida, posting a .912 SV% and 2.26 GAA across 22 appearances. Bobrovsky and the Panthers enter action on Tuesday at -165 on the money line.

Sergei Bobrovsky
Josi is dealing with postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome.

Postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS) is a condition characterized by an abnormally large increase in heart rate upon sitting up or standing. Since suffering a concussion, Josi had been dealing with headaches. Josi was reported to be worried that the concussions had damaged his brain; however, a check-up revealed that his brain was fine but that he was suffering from POTS, which can cause headaches and fatigue. Since the diagnosis, Josi has undergone intensive therapy and is feeling "much better." Josi believes he'll be back at 100 percent for the 2025-26 season.

Roman Josi
Pittsburgh has re-signed Joona Kopanen to a one-year, $775,000 contract extension.

Koppanen split his 2024-25 season between the NHL and AHL, but spent most of the season with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton (AHL), where he had 23 points (8G / 15A) in 56 games. Koppanen has just one goal and one assist in 20 career NHL games since being drafted in the fifth round of the 2016 NHL Draft.

Joona Koppanen
Skinner will start Game 6 in Florida.

Skinner was pulled after along three goals on 17 shots in the Oilers' come-from-behind 5-4 OT win in Game 4. Calvin Pickard started the Game 5 loss, so the Oilers will come back to Skinner in a must-win Game 6 on Tuesday. Skinner has had a tough time in the Stanley Cup Final, posting a 4.20 GAA and .860 SV% in four games.

Stuart Skinner
Skinner is in the starter's crease at the Oilers' morning skate.

Skinner was pulled after along three goals on 17 shots in the Oilers' come-from-behind 5-4 OT win in Game 4. Calvin Pickard started the Game 5 loss, so the Oilers will come back to Skinner in a must-win Game 6 on Tuesday. Skinner has had a tough time in the Stanley Cup Final, posting a 4.20 GAA and .860 SV% in four games.

Stuart Skinner
The Jets signed Alfons Freij to a three-year, entry-level contract.

Freij was a second-round pick (No.37 overall) of the Jets in 2024 and septa the 2024-25 season with Bjorkloven IF (HockeyAllsvenskan), where he posted two goals with six assists (eight points) in 29 games. The 19-year-old defenseman is expected to move up to Sweden's top league in 2025-26 and play for Timrå IK.

Alfons Freij
The Stars have signed Rémi Poirier to a two-year, two-way contract.

Poirier spent the entire season with Texas (AHL), where he went 17-11-2 with a 2.50 GAA and .908 SV% in 31 games. Poirier served as Texas' No.1 netminder in the AHL playoffs, going 5-3 with a 2.19 GAA and .919 SV%. Expect him to start the 2025-26 season in the AHL again.

Remi Poirier
Los Angeles has signed Pheonix Copley to a one-year, $775,000 contract extension.

Copley only appeared in one game for Los Angeles in 2024-25 but will provide some goaltending depth yet again after signing a one-year, $775,000 contract extension on Monday with the Kings. The 33-year-old Alaskan netminder appeared in 42 games with Ontario (AHL) in 2024-25, posting a 24-17-1 record with a .904 SV%.

Pheonix Copley

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!