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NHL Hockey Player News

Nazar (face) is expected to play on Monday.

Nazar exited Chicago's 5-3 loss to the St. Louis Blues on Saturday after only 7:24 time-on-ice, but he should be back in the lineup on Monday against the Buffalo Sabres. The 22-year-old Nazar is averaging 18:20 time-on-ice and has 41 points (15G / 26A) in 64 games this season.

Frank Nazar
Kokko is in the starter's crease at the Kraken's morning skate.

With all three of the Kraken's regular netminders unavailable, Kokko made his first career start last week and dazzled between the pipes, saving 26 of 27 shots (.963 SV%) in a 4-1 win over the Calgary Flames. The 22-year-old netminder has spent most of the 2025-26 season in the AHL, where he has gone 18-10-2 with a 3.10 GAA and .903 SV% in 34 games with the Coachella Valley Firebirds. Seattle enters Monday's contest as +139 home underdogs against a desperate Los Angeles Kings team that has won four straight, inching them closer to a playoff berth.

Nikke Kokko
Bichsel will be a healthy scratch on Monday.

With Kyle Capobianco returning to Dallas' lineup from injury on Monday, Lian Bischel is the odd man out and will be a healthy scratch vs. Toronto. The 21-year-old towering defensemen has appeared in 49 games with Dallas this season, picking up four goals, eight points and a +6 plus/minus.

Lian Bichsel
Erne will be a healthy scratch on Monday.

Adam Erne finds himself the odd man out vs. Toronto on Monday after it was announced Radek Faksa was expected to return from a three-game absence. Erne has appeared in 44 games this season after a successful PTO at the beginning of the season, picking up six goals, eight points and a +1 plus/minus while occupying a botton-six role.

Adam Erne
Capobianco will draw into the Stars lineup on Monday.

Caponbianco has been a healthy scratch for Dallas' previous four games but will draw back in on Monday in Toronto as he replaces Lian Bischel. The 28-year-old has appeared in 32 games with the Stars this season, his most in the NHL since 2021-22 with the Arizona Coyotes.

Kyle Capobianco
Faksa (lower-body) will be back in the Stars lineup on Monday.

Faksa has missed Dallas' previous three games with a lower-body injury but will draw back in for Adam Erne on Monday in Toronto. The 32-year-old bottom-six forward has struggled to find the back of the net this season, with just two goals, 17 points and 16 PIMs in 56 games played.

Radek Faksa
Bunting (lower-body) will be back in the Stars lineup on Monday.

Bunting has not played in over two weeks due to a lower-body injury, but will return on Monday against his former team, the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 30-year-old Bunting only has two points (1G / 1A) in 11 games since being acquired by Dallas at the trade deadline. It was initially believed that Bunting could play in a top-six role alongside Mikko Rantanen, but injuries to both players prevented that from happening. He will get a look at the top line alongside Wyatt Johnston and Mikko Rantanen on Monday.

Michael Bunting
Gustavsson will start Monday in St. Louis.

Gustavsson will look to rebound when he tends the twine on Monday after a rough performance in his most recent outing, allowing five goals on 20 shots (.750 SV%) in a 5-4 loss to the Dallas Stars. The 27-year-old Swedish goalie exited the Olympic break with a dazzling 1.76 GAA and .937 SV% in eight games (6-2-0). That said, he has struggled since, allowing four or more goals in four of his last five (2-3-0), posting a 4.07 GAA and .847 SV%. Minnesota is resting numerous key players on Monday and enters the action as +154 road underdogs against the St. Louis Blues.

Filip Gustavsson
Luukkonen is in the starter's crease at the Sabres' morning skate.

The Sabres can lock up the top seed in the Atlantic Division on Monday, and will turn to Luukkonen to tend the twine against the Chicago Blackhawks. The 27-year-old Finnish goalie didn't need to be spectacular in his previous outing, allowing three goals on 20 shots (.850 SV%) in a 5-3 win over the New York Rangers. Luukkonen has allowed three or fewer goals in eight of his last nine games (6-2-1), posting a solid 2.40 GAA and .920 SV%. The Sabres enter Monday's contest as -195 road favourites against a Blackhawks team on a three-game losing streak (0-3-0).

Ukko-Pekka Luukkonen
Ingram will start Monday vs. the Avalanche.

The Oilers can clinch a playoff berth on Monday and will turn to Ingram to tend the twine against the Colorado Avalanche. The 29-year-old Ingram was excellent in his previous outing, saving 20 of 21 shots (.952 SV%), but received no goal support in a 1-0 loss to the Los Angeles Kings. He has won four of his last six outings (4-2-0), posting a 2.29 GAA and .915 SV%. The Oilers enter Monday's contest as +102 home underdogs against an Avalanche team coming off a 3-2 overtime loss to the Vegas Golden Knights.

Connor Ingram
DeSmith will start Monday in Toronto.

With their postseason placement already decided and a first-round matchup against the Minnesota Wild pending, Dallas will rest Jake Oettinger and turn to Casey DeSmith on Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 34-year-old DeSmith has been excellent in a supporting role this season and was solid in his previous outing, saving 20 of 21 shots (.952 SV%) in a 2-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. He has an outstanding 1.93 GAA and .930 SV% in his last four games, but has no wins to show for it (0-3-1). The Stars enter Monday's contest as -182 road favourites against a Maple Leafs team that has been outscored 26-12 during a five-game losing skid (0-4-1).

Casey DeSmith
McCann will miss the remainder of the 2025-26 season due to a lower-body inury.

Seattle announced on Monday that Jared McCann will mis Seattle's final three games of the season due to a lower-body injury. The 29-year-old has struggled to stay healthy all 2025-26 but still managed to put up 20 goals and 40 points in 52 games when healthy.

Jared McCann
DeSmith was the first goalie off the ice at the Stars' morning skate.

With their postseason placement already decided and a first-round matchup against the Minnesota Wild pending, Dallas will rest Jake Oettinger and turn to Casey DeSmith on Monday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. The 34-year-old DeSmith has been excellent in a supporting role this season and was solid in his previous outing, saving 20 of 21 shots (.952 SV%) in a 2-0 loss to the Colorado Avalanche. He has an outstanding 1.93 GAA and .930 SV% in his last four games, but has no wins to show for it (0-3-1). The Stars enter Monday's contest as -182 road favourites against a Maple Leafs team that has been outscored 26-12 during a five-game losing skid (0-4-1).

Casey DeSmith
Gostisbehere (rest) is not expected to play on Monday.

The Hurricanes will continue to rest players on Monday, and Gostisbehere will be one of six players who will sit vs. the Flyers. K'Andre Miller will draw back into the lineup to replace Gostisbehere. Gostisbehere has missed several lengthy stints this season due to injuries, but he has been one of the most productive offensive defensemen when healthy. The 32-year-old has 50 points (13G / 37A) in 54 games this season.

Shayne Gostisbehere
Slavin (rest) is not expected to play on Monday.

The Hurricanes will continue to rest players on Monday, and Slavin will be one of six players who will sit vs. the Flyers. Jalen Chatfield will draw back into the lineup to replace Slavin. The 31-year-old Slavin has battled injuries this season, playing a career-low 39 games, but the Hurricanes are thrilled that he should be entering the postseason without ailment.

Jaccob Slavin
Staal (rest) is not expected to play on Monday.

The Hurricanes will continue to rest players on Monday, and Staal will be one of six players who will sit vs. the Flyers. William Carrier will draw back into the lineup to replace Staal. At age 37, Staal has remained an effective leader and contributor for the Hurricanes. He has 36 points (20G / 16A) in 75 games this season, matching his highest offensive output in the last half-decade.

Jordan Staal
Svechnikov (rest) is not expected to play on Monday.

The Hurricanes will continue to rest players on Monday, and Svechnikov will be one of six players who will sit vs. the Flyers. Jackson Blake will draw back into the lineup to replace Svechnikov. After an abysmal start to the 2025-26 season, scoring zero points in his first eight games, Svechnikov hopes to carry his late-season momentum into the postseason. He has a career-high 70 points (31G / 39A) through 79 games.

Andrei Svechnikov
Jarvis (rest) is not expected to play on Monday.

The Hurricanes will continue to rest players on Monday, and Jarvis will be one of six players who will sit vs. the Flyers. Taylor Hall will draw back into the lineup to replace Jarvis. The 23-year-old Jarvis has finished the previous two seasons with 67 points and at least 32 goals, a trend that has continued in his most effective offensive season to date, scoring 66 points (32G / 34A) in only 71 games.

Seth Jarvis
Aho (rest) is not expected to play on Monday.

The Hurricanes will continue to rest players on Monday, and Aho will be one of six players who will sit vs. the Flyers. Logan Stankoven will draw back into the lineup to replace Aho. With 80 points (27G / 53A) in 79 games this season, Aho has locked up a point-per-game season for the fifth time in his 10-year career.

Sebastian Aho
Chatfield (lower-body) is expected to be back in the Hurricanes' lineup on Monday.

Chatfield missed Carolina's previous two contests due to a lower-body injury but will return to the lineup vs. Philadelphia on Monday. The 29-year-old shutdown defensemen has appeared in 71 games this season, picking up two goals, 17 points and a +16 plus/minus while averaging 20:06 TOI.

Jalen Chatfield

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!