Vesalainen will be a healthy scratch on Thursday.
The Jets will get Tucker Poolman back on Thursday and dress seven defensemen and 11 forwards, so Vesalainen will sit after playing in four straight games.
NHL Hockey Player News
Poolman will return to the Jets lineup on Thursday.
Poolman has been out since the season opener due to COVID-19 protocol but will dress as the seventh defenseman on Thursday. Poolman will replace Kristian Vesalainen.
Sekera will return to the Stars lineup on Thursday.
Sekera has been sidelined by COVID-19 protocol since January 30th but will replace Joel Hanley in the lineup on Thursday. Sekera has no points and two shots in five games this season.
Malkin (eye) will be a game-time decision on Thursday.
Malkin left Wednesday's practice early with some discomfort in one of his eyes. Head coach Mike Sullivan called Malkin a game-time decision for Thursday's game but it seems likely that he placed.
Goalie Start
Smith was the first goalie off of the ice at the Oilers' morning skate.
Goalie Start
Korpisalo will start Thursday in Chicago.
Line Change
Peeke has been elevated to the active roster and is expected to make his season debut on Thursday.
Peeke split the 2020 campaign between the NHL and AHL, totalling three points (1G / 2A) in 22 games with the Blue Jackets. Peeke is expected to replace Dean Kukan.
The Blue Jackets have activated Elvis Merzlikins (upper-body) from IR.
Merzlikins has missed the last three games but has been activated ahead of Thursday's game in Chicago. It's unclear whether or not he will start tonight after Korpisalo posted a 22-save win on Monday.
Goalie Start
DeSmith will start Thursday against the Islanders.
Goalie Start
Allen will start Thursday vs. the Oilers.
Goalie Start
Hellebuyck is expected to start Thursday vs. the Senators.
Goalie Start
Khudobin will start Thursday vs. the Hurricanes.
Goalie Start
Lankinen is in the starter's crease at the Blackhawks morning skate.
Doughty (upper-body) is day-to-day and questionable to play Thursday.
Doughty was forced to leave Tuesday's game vs. the Sharks after being hit in the chest by a Brent Burns shot. Doughty missed Wednesday's practice and the Kings called him day-to-day. They added that they hope he'll be back on the ice on Thursday, so there seems like a chance that he'll play in the rematch vs. the Sharks.
Goalie Start
Varlamov will start Thursday vs. the Penguins.
The Hurricanes are "hopeful" that Trocheck will return to the Hurricanes lineup on Thursday.
Trocheck was scratched in Columbus on Monday due to a lower-body injury but head coach Rod Brind'Amour is hopeful that he'll be available on Thursday. Trocheck, who has had a hot start to the season, travelled to Dallas and comes in with six goals and three assists (nine points) in nine games.
Ekholm is week-to-week with an undisclosed injury.
Ekholm was hurt Tuesday vs. the Lightning and did not return for the third period. Head coach John Hynes told a local radio station that Ekholm is week-to-week, so expect him to miss at least a couple of weeks.
The Blackhawks activated Lucas Wallmark from the COVID-19 reserve list.
Wallmark is eligible to play on Thursday but there's no word if he will be immediately reinserted into the lineup. Wallmark has three assists in five games this season.
Aston-Reese (shoulder) has been activated from LTIR and is expected to make his season debut on Thursday.
Aston-Reese missed the 11 games of the season while rehabbing offseason shoulder surgery but appears set to join the Penguins' lineup on Thursday. With Jared McCann out week-to-week, Aston-Reese will replace him and skate with familiar linemates in Teddy Blueger and Brandon Tanev.
Line Change
Byron is not on the ice for warmups and will not play vs. the Maple Leafs.
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
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