The Islanders have acquired Emil Heineman, a 2025 first-round pick (No.16 overall) and a 2025 first-round pick (No.17 overall from the Canadiens for Noah Dobson.
NHL Hockey Player News
The Canadiens have signed Noah Dobson to an eight-year contract extension worth $9.5M AAV ($76.0M total).
The Canadiens have acquired Noah Dobson from the Islanders for Emil Heineman, a 2025 first-round pick (No.16 overall) and a 2025 first-round pick (No.17 overall).
The Red Wings have signed William Lagesson to a two-year contract extension.
The Maple Leafs have signed John Tavares to a four-year deal worth $4.38M AAV ($17.52M total).
The Oilers have signed Trent Frederic to an 8-year deal worth $3.85M AAV ($30.8M total).
The Capitals have acquired Justin Sourdif from the Panthers for a 2026 2nd Round Pick and a 2027 6th Round Pick.
Sourdif was a third-round pick (No.87 overall) in the 2020 NHL Draft, who has appeared in just four NHL games since. In 2024-25, he spent most of the season in Charlotte (AHL), where he had 34 points (16G / 18A) in 43 games. Sourdif will likely battle for a bottom-6 role with the Capitals in training camp.
Washington has signed Henrik Rybinski to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.
Rybinski is coming off his third and most successful AHL season with Hershey and has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract extension worth $775,000 with Washington. The 24-year-old forward was the Capitals' 2019 5th-round pick (136th overall) and is expected to spend 2025-26 back with Hershey, where he had 10 goals and 35 points in 60 games last season.
Minnesota has acquired Cameron Butler from Columbus for Brendan Gaunce.
Minnesota made a minor trade on Thursday after acquiring winger Cameron Butler from Columbus for forward Brendan Gaunce. Butler is a 23-year-old undrafted right-winger who made his only NHL appearance in 2023-24 with the Blue Jackets. He struggled to produce offensively in 2024-25, only scoring two goals and three points in 37 games played.
Columbus has acquired Branden Gaunce from Minnesota for Cameron Butler.
Columbus acquired a depth forward on Thursday after trading for Branden Gaunce from Minnesota for AHL forward Cameron Butler. Gaunce, 31, spent most of 2024-25 as a healthy scratch for the Wild, which led to him only putting up an assist and a -4 plus/minus in 12 games played. He returns to familiar territory in Columbus, where he spent three seasons between 2021-2024 and had 12 points in 59 games played.
Florida has acquired Daniil Tarasov from Columbus for a 2025 5th-round pick (160th overall).
Florida acquired its new backup goaltender for the upcoming 2025-26 season on Thursday after picking up Daniil Tarasov from Columbus for a 2025 5th-round pick (160th overall). The 26-year-old, whose dad has ties back in Russia with Sergei Bobrovsky, struggled in 2024-25 with the Blue Jackets, posting an ugly 7-10-2 record alongside his 3.54 GAA and .881 SV%.
San Jose has waived Marc-Edouard Vlasic for the purposes of a contract buyout.
After 1323 games played and 19 seasons in San Jose, it appears Marc-Edouard Vlasic's time as a Shark will come to an end after it was announced on Thursday that the team planned on waiving the veteran for the purpose of a contract buyout. The 38-year-old was set to start the final season of an eight-year, $56 million contract ($8 million AAV). He appeared in 27 games in 2024-25, picking up a goal, and three points to go along with a -10 plus/minus.
Seattle has acquired Frederick Gaudreau from Minnesota for a 2025 4th-round pick.
Minnesota has shed $2.1 million in salary after trading Frederick Gaudreau to the Seattle Kraken for a 2025 4th-round pick (102nd overall) on Thursday. The 32-year-old center spent four seasons in Minnesota, most recently putting up 18 goals and 37 points after appearing in all 82 games played in 2024-25. He is expected to take a bottom-six role with Seattle in the 2025-26 season.
Detroit has signed Antti Tuomisto to a one-year, two-way contract extension.
After a successful second campaign with Grand Rapids (AHL), Antti Tuomisto has earned himself a one-year, two-way contract extension to remain with Detroit. The 24-year-old defenseman was Detroit's 2019 2nd-round pick (35th overall) and had three goals, 27 points and 54 PIMs in 67 games in 2024-25 with Grand Rapids (AHL).
Carolina has signed Juha Jaaska to a two-year, $1.55 million contract extension ($755,000 AAV).
After a successful first campaign in North America with both Chicago (AHL) and Carolina, Juha Jaaska has earned himself a two-year, $1.55 million contract extension ($755,000 AAV) to remain with the Hurricanes. The 27-year-old Finnish forward made his NHL debut last season and had four assists and nine PIMs in 18 games played.
Dallas has signed Jamie Benn to a one-year, $1 million contract extension (with a possibility to reach $4 million in bonuses).
Dallas' captain will return for a 17th season with the organization after it was announced Thursday that the Stars had agreed to a one-year, $1 million contract with Jamie Benn. The contract is full of bonuses, which could reach as high as $4 million AAV if all are achieved by the end of the season. In 80 games in 2024-25, the 35-year-old veteran had 15 goals, 49 points and 70 PIMs while holding down a bottom-six role.
The Mammoth have signed JJ Peterka to a five-year contract extension worth $38.5M ($7.7M AAV).
Minutes after being acquired by Utah, JJ Peterka was announced to a 5-year extension worth $7.7M AAV ($38.5M total). The 23-year-old right-winger has made consistent 18-point jumps in each of his first three NHL seasons, finishing 2024-25 with 27 goals, 68 points and 173 SOG in 77 GP after 50 points in 82 games the year before. He is expected to take a top-six role in Utah in the upcoming season.
The Sabres have acquired Michael Kesselring and Josh Doan from the Mammoth for JJ Peterka.
Two days before the NHL Draft, Buffalo has moved on from 23-year-old JJ Peterka by acquiring Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring on Wednesday night. Kesselring will join his third organization after being drafted by Edmonton in the sixth round of the 2018 draft (164th overall) and debuting with Arizona in 2022-23. The 25-year-old has the potential to be a top-four defenseman as shown by his seven goals, 29 points, 89 PIMs and 150 SOG in 82 GP with Utah in 2024-25.
The Sabres have acquired Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring from the Mammoth for JJ Peterka.
After just 62 games with Utah and Arizona, Josh Doan has been acquired alongside Michael Kesselring by Buffalo for JJ Peterka on Wednesday. The 23-year-old right-winger was Arizona's 2021 2nd-round pick (37th overall) and made an impressive debut in 2023-24 with five goals and nine points in his first 11 games played. He struggled to find the same offensive spark last year, but still put up seven goals, 19 points and 88 SOG in 51 games played in his sophomore campaign.
The Mammoth have acquired JJ Peterka from the Sabres for Josh Doan and Michael Kesselring.
With rumours circulating all week that Buffalo was looking to move a few key players, Utah swooped in late Thursday by acquiring the rights to JJ Peterka for forward Josh Doan and defenseman Michael Kesselring. Minutes after the trade, Utah announced they had signed Peterka to a 5-year extension worth $7.7M AAV ($38.5M total). The 23-year-old right-winger has made consistent 18-point jumps in each of his first three NHL seasons, finishing 2024-25 with 27 goals, 68 points and 173 SOG in 77 GP after 50 points in 82 games the year before.
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.
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