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NHL Hockey Player News

The Canadiens acquired Casey DeSmith in a three-way trade with the Penguins and Sharks.

DeSmith was acquired by Montreal as part of a three-team deal with Pittsburgh and San Jose that include Erik Karlsson going to the Sharks. The 31-year-old goaltender will join only his second team after five season in PIttsburgh and has a career 58-44-15 record with a .912 SV% and a 2.81 GAA. He was 15-16-4 with a .905 SV% and a 3.17 GAA in 33 starts in 2022-23 with Pittsburgh.

Casey DeSmith
The Canadiens acquired Jeff Petry in a three-way trade with the Penguins and Sharks.

Petry surprisingly returns to Montreal after just one season after being included as part of a three-way trade which saw Erik Karlsson head to Pittsburgh and three players and a 1st-round pick head to San Jose. The 35-year-old defensemen left Montreal for Pittsburgh after eight seasons and had five goals, 26 assists, 113 SOG, 24 PIMs and a +2 plus/minus in 61 games in 2022-23.

Jeff Petry
The Penguins acquired Rem Pitlick in a three-way trade with the Sharks and Canadiens.

Pitlick was acquired by Pittsburgh as part of a three-way trade involving San Jose and Montreal that included Erik Karlsson after having six goals, nine assists, 30 SOG, 22 PIMs and a -15 plus/minus through 46 games with Montreal in 2022-23. The 26-year-old joins the Penguins after five NHL seasons with two teams (MTL, NSH) and has 21 goals and 54 points across 123 career NHL games.

Rem Pitlick
The Penguins acquired Dillon Hamaliuk in a three-way trade with the Sharks and Canadiens.

Hamaliuk was acquired by Pittsburgh as part of the three-way trade involving San Jose and Montreal that saw superstar Erik Karlsson also land with the Penguins. The 22-year-old left-winger was San Jose's 2019 second-round pick (55th overall) and has yet to make his NHL debut. In 2022-23 he had three goals, nine points and 37 PIMs across 44 games with San Jose (AHL) in his first professional season.

Dillon Hamaliuk
The Penguins acquired Erik Karlsson in a three-way trade with the Sharks and Canadiens.

Karlsson was acquired by Pittsburgh as part of a massive blockbuster trade with involves both San Jose and Montreal. The 33-year-old defensemen is fresh off of winning the 2022-23 Norris Trophy after a season which saw him surpass 100+ points for the first time in his career with 25 goals, 76 assists, 209 SOG, 36 PIMs and a -26 plus/minus through 82 games with San Jose last season. The addition of the superstar brings 178 goals and 761 points in 920 games alongside three Norris Trophies to the Penguins' blue line.

Erik Karlsson
Philadelphia has signed Samuel Ersson to a two-year, $2.9 million contract extension ($1,450,000 AAV).

Ersson was 6-3-0 with a .899 SV% and 3.07 GAA in his first NHL season in 2022-23 and signed a two-year, $2.9 million contract extension ($1,450,000 AAV) with the Flyers. The 23-year-old netminder was Philadelphia's 2018 fifth-round pick (143rd overall) and made his NHL debut in 2022-23. He will be expected to spend the entire season with the Flyers in 2023-24.

Samuel Ersson
Washington has signed Tom Wilson to a seven-year, $45.5 million contract extension ($6,500,000).

Wilson had 13 goals, nine assists, 82 SOG, 78 PIMs and a -13 plus/minus through 33 games with Washington in 2022-23 after starting the year late due to a knee injury and has signed a seven-year, $45.5 million contract extension ($6,500,000). The 29-year-old bruising right-winger was a 2012 first-round pick (16th overall) and has amassed 128 goals, 295 points and 1,299 PIMs through 680 career games

Tom Wilson
Jake Guentzel successfully underwent Ankle surgery on August 2nd and will be re-evalutated in 12-weeks.

Guentzel had 36 goals, 37 assists, 244 SOG, 46 PIMs and a +2 plus/minus through 78 games with Pittsburgh in 2022-23 and will now miss the next three months and start of the season as he recovers from a successful Ankle surgery. The 28-year-old elite scoring left-winger is expected to be re-evaluated in 12 weeks which means he will miss at least the Penguins' first seven games. It is a massive loss for the Penguins early as Guentzel has scored 99 goals in the previous three seasons.

Jake Guentzel
Anaheim has signed Troy Terry to a seven-year, $49 million contract extension ($7,000,000 AAV).

For the second-straight season Terry led the Anaheim Ducks in goals with 23 goals, 38 assists, 188 SOG, 22 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 70 games in 2022-23 and has signed a seven-year, $49 million contract extension ($7,000,000 AAV). The 25-year-old right-winger was a steal after being drafted in the fifth-round of the 2015 NHL Draft (148th overall) and has scored 75 goals and 176 points in 274 career NHL games played.

Troy Terry
Pittsburgh has signed Drew O'Connor to a two-year, $1.85 million extension ($975,000 AAV).

O'Connor had five goals, six assists, 62 SOG, 12 PIMs and a -3 plus/minus through 46 games with Pittsburgh in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, $1.85 million extension ($975,000 AAV). The 25-year-old undrafted left-winger took a big step forward last season with the Penguins and now has eight goals, 17 points and 110 SOG through 78 career NHL games played.

Drew O'Connor
Isac Lundestrom is expected to miss the next six months after having Achilles surgery.

Lundstrom had four goals, 10 assists, 60 SOG, two PIMs and a -13 plus/minus through 61 games in 2022-23 and will now be forced to miss the next six months as he recovers from surgery for an Achilles injury sustained in Sweden. The 23-year-old centre is now expected to return around the turn of the new year and will be hoping to take a step forward after a down season in 2022-23. He currently has 26 goals and 58 points in 212 career NHL games.

Isac Lundestrom
Edmonton has signed Ryan McLeod to a two-year, $4.2 million contract extension ($2,100,000 AAV).

McLeod had 11 goals, 12 assists, 78 SOG, 18 PIMs and a +4 plus/minus through 57 games played with Edmonton in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, $4.2 million contract extension ($2,100,000 AAV) with the Oilers. The 23-year-old has 20 goals, 45 points and two SHG across his 138 games NHL career after being drafted in the second-round of the 2018 Draft (40th overall) by Edmonton.

Ryan McLeod
An arbitrator has awarded Jeremy Swayman a one-year, $3.475 million extension with Boston.

Swayman was 24-6-4 with a 2.27 GAA (4th in NHL) and .920 SV% (4th in NHL) with Boston in 2022-23 and has been awarded a one-year, $3,475,000 extension by an arbitrator. The 24-year-old goaltender was the Bruins' 2017 fourth-round pick (111th overall) and has an incredibly impressive career 54-23-7 record, 2.24 GAA and .920 SV%.

Jeremy Swayman
Boston has signed Trent Frederic to a two-year, $4.6 million contract extension ($2,300,000 AAV).

Frederic enjoyed a breakout season with the Bruins in 2022-23 with 17 goals, 14 assists, 120 SOG, 57 PIMs and a +28 plus/minus while playing a bottom-six role and has signed a two-year, $4.6 million contract extension ($2,300,000 AAV). The 25-year-old centre was Boston's 2016 first-round pick (29th overall) and has collected 29 goals, 54 points and 194 PIMs across 198 career NHL games.

Trent Frederic
Brandon Scanlin has reached a pre-arbitration agreement with the Rangers for one-year, $775,000.

Scanlin had four goals, 11 assists, 30 PIMs and a +21 plus/minus with the Hartford Wolf Pack (AHL) in 2022-23 and has reached a pre-arbitration agreement with the Rangers for one-year, $775,000. The 24-year-old defenseman was signed undrafted after three successful seasons at the University of Nebraska-Omaha (NCAA) and has yet to make his NHL debut.

Brandon Scanlin
Montreal has signed Jesse Yvonne to a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000.

Yvonne had six goals, 10 assists, 43 SOG, and a -11 plus/minus through 37 games played with Montreal in 2022-23 and has signed a one-year, two-way contract worth $775,000. The 23-year-old right-winger is entering his fourth season in Montreal after being drafted in the second-round of the 2018 NHL Draft (35th overall) and has eight goals and 21 points in 52 career games played.

Jesse Ylönen
Toronto has signed Nick Abruzzese to a two-year, two-way contract worth $1.55 million ($775,000 AAV).

Abruzzese had two assists, two SOG, and a +1 plus/minus through a short two-game showing with Toronto in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, two-way extension worth $1.55 million ($775,000 AAV). The 24-year-old centre was Toronto's 2019 4th round draft pick (124th overall) and has a goal, two assists, and two PIMs through 11 career NHL games.

Nick Abruzzese
Minnesota has signed Filip Gustavsson to a $11.25 million extension ($3,750,000 AAV).

Gustavsson had a 22-9-7 record, 2.10 GAA (2nd in NHL), and a .931 SV% (2nd in NHL) in his first season in Minnesota in 2022-23 and has signed a $11.25 million extension ($3,750,000 AAV). The 25-year-old netminder was acquired in July of 2022 for Cam Talbot from Ottawa and excelled in his first season with the Wild. He will man Minnesota's crease for the next three years and brings a 32-22-10 career record, and a .920 SV% and a .2.51 career GAA into 2023-24.

Filip Gustavsson
New Jersey has signed Kevin Bahl to a two-year, $2.1 million contract extension ($1,050,000 AAV).

Bahl had two goals, six assists, 27 SOG, 35 PIMs and a +4 plus/minus through 42 games in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, $2.1 million contract extension ($1,050,000 AAV). The towering 23-year-old defenseman was Arizona's 2018 second-round pick (55th overall) and will be entering his fourth season in New Jersey in 2023-24. Through his previous three, he has three goals, 11 assists, 48 SOG and 45 PIMs through 66 career games played.

Kevin Bahl
Arizona has signed Jack McBain to a two-year, $3.2 million contract ($1,600,000 AAV).

McBain had 12 goals, 14 assists, 85 SOG, 64 PIMs and a -8 plus/minus through 82 games in 2022-23 and has signed a two-year, $3.2 million contract extension with Arizona. The 23-year-old centre was drafted by Minnesota in the third-round of the 2018 NHL Entry Draft (63rd overall) and has 14 goals and 29 points across 92 games and two seasons with Arizona.

Jack McBain

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!