The Flyers have acquired Nathan Noel from the Blackhawks for T.J. Brennan.
This is a super minor trade. Noel is a 2016 fourth-round pick who is in the ECHL. He is expected to remain in the ECHL after the trade.
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NHL Hockey Player News
Goalie Start
Demko will start Tuesday in Montreal.
Demko allowed five goals on 28 shots in the Canucks loss to the Ducks on February 16th. With Jacob Markstrom hurt, Demko will start tonight in Montreal and will look to snap his two-game losing streak. The 24-year-old is 3-5-1 with a 3.29 GAA and .902 SV% on the road this season and Montreal comes in having lost five of their last seven (2-4-1).
Markstrom will return to Vancouver to be evaluated; expected to miss 3-to-4 weeks with a lower-body injury.
Markstrom was hurt in the Boston game on Saturday and underwent an MRI on Monday morning. He'll return to Vancouver to be re-evaluated and the Canucks will likely return a more detailed timetable after that. With Markstrom out, Thatcher Demko will serve as the Canucks' No.1 netminder and they made a trade for Louis Domingue today to give them a No.2 netminder.
The Coyotes have acquired Markus Hannikainen from the Coyotes for a conditional 2020 seventh-round pick.
Hannikainen has not played in an NHL game this season after picking up seven points (4G / 3A) in 44 games with Columbus last year. Instead he's got 18 points (7G / 11A) in 28 AHL games and is expected to Tucson (AHL) where he can build on that.
The Golden Knights have acquired Nick Cousins from the Canadiens for a 2021 fourth-round draft pick.
Cousins was an effective bottom-6 forward for the Canadiens this season, posting 22 points (9G / 13A) in 58 games while playing just 13:28 ATOI. In Vegas, he'll help fill a void left by Alex Tuch's injury and should be a third line winger moving forward.
The Devils have acquired Frederik Claesson, Janne Kuokkanen and a conditional second-round draft pick from the Hurricanes for Sami Vatanen.
Claesson signed on with the Hurricanes in September and has spent the entire 2020 season in the AHL. In 47 games with Charlotte the 27-year-old picked up three goals with 16 assists (19 points) and will likely report to Binghamton (AHL).
The Ducks have acquired Christian Djoos from the Capitals for Daniel Sprong.
Djoos was becoming a regular with the Capitals in 2019 before a thigh procedure cost him a few months and he never got back into the rotation. Djoos has spent most of the 2020 season in Hershey, where he led all Bears defensemen with 32 points (5G / 27A) in 42 games. He'll report to San Diego (AHL).
The Capitals have acquired Daniel Sprong from the Ducks for Christian Djoos.
Sprong is a former highly regarded prospect who is now with his third team in two years. Spring has not had a problem scoring in the AHL, posting 11 goals with 16 assists (27 points) in 39 games with San Diego this season. However, he has just 19 goals and 11 assists (30 points) in 97 career NHL games with the Penguins and Ducks. He'll report to Hershey (AHL) and have to work his way up to the high-powered Capitals.
The Blackhawks have acquired Slava Demin, Malcolm Subban and a second-round draft pick from the Golden Knights for Robin Lehner.
Demin was a fourth-round pick of the Golden Knights in 2018 and is in his sophomore year at the University of Denver. The 6-foot-2, 190 lbs. defenseman has scored two goals with seven assists (nine points) in 30 games for the Pioneers.
The Blackhawks have acquired Malcolm Subban, Slava Demin and a second-round draft pick from the Golden Knights for Robin Lehner.
Subban has struggled this season, going 9-7-3 while posting a 3.18 GAA and .890 SV% in 20 games (19 starts) this season. The Golden Knights were looking to improve their backup goaltending situation, so Subban is part of the package to acquire Lehner. Subban will serve as Corey Crawford's backup for the remainder of the 2020 season.
The Golden Knights have acquired Robin Lehner from the Blackhawks for Malcolm Subban, Slava Demin and a second-round draft pick.
Lehner followed up his spectacular 2018-19 season with an impressive stint in Chicago. He was able to post a 16-10-5 record with a .918 SV% despite some obvious flaws in Chicago’s defense. Lehner will immediately assume the backup role and could potentially challenge Marc-Andre Fleury for the starting job. He is set to become an unrestricted free-agent on July 1st.
The Flames have acquired Erik Gustafsson from the Blackhawks for a 2020 third-round draft pick.
Gustafsson has been held out of Chicago’s lineup since February 19 in lieu of a possible trade. The 27-year-old broke out in a major way last season, scoring 17 times and adding 43 assists in 79 games. Chicago’s struggles on the power-play this year took a particularly harsh toll on Gustafsson’s numbers, as he managed just six goals and 20 assists in 59 games. He is set to become an unrestricted free-agent on July 1st.
The Devils have acquired Zane McIntyre from the Canucks for Louis Domingue.
McIntyre hasn't played an NHL game since the 2016-17 season with the Bruins. The 27-year-old netminder owns an 11-10-2 record and an .894 SV% with Utica (AHL) this season.
The Canucks have acquired Louis Domingue from the Devils for Zane McIntyre.
Domingue had an underwhelming stint with the Devils after thriving as Tampa Bay's backup last season. He posted a 3-8-2 record in New Jersey along with an .882 SV%. The Canucks were reportedly looking to add depth in goal as Jacob Markstrom deals with an apparent injury. Domingue is set to become an unrestricted free-agent on July 1st.
The Devils have acquired Janne Kuokkanen, Frederik Claesson and a conditional second-round draft pick from the Hurricanes for Sami Vatanen.
Carolina selected Kuokkanen with the 43rd overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. He's failed to register a point in his 11 career NHL games but has been a productive player in the AHL. Kuokkanen had 12 goals and 30 assists in 52 games this year with Carolina's AHL affiliate, the Charlotte Checkers.
The Hurricanes have acquired Sami Vatanen from the Devils for Janne Kuokkanen, Frederik Claesson and a conditional second-round draft pick.
Vatanen registered 40 points in 97 games over parts of two seasons with the Devils after being acquired from Anaheim in the Adam Henrique trade last season. Vatanen should provide some immediate relief to a Carolina blue-line that’s been plagued by injuries. He is set to become an unrestricted free-agent on July 1st.
The Maple Leafs have signed Jake Muzzin to a four-year contract extension worth $22.5 million ($5.625M AAV).
Muzzin was set to become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season but will now be with the Maple Leafs through the 2024 season. The 6-foot-3, 213 lbs. defenseman has scored five goals with 17 assists (22 points) while averaging 2.1 blocks and 2.1 hits per game in 52 games this season.
The Hurricanes have acquired Brady Skjei from the Rangers for a first-round pick.
Originally drafted by New York 28th overall in 2012, Skjei had become an integral part of the Rangers blue-line. The 25-year-old played at least 78 games in each of the last three seasons, averaging 30 points per 82 games. Skjei has eight goals and 15 assists in 60 games this season. He carries a $5.25M cap-hit through the 2023-24 season.
The Ducks have acquired Sonny Milano from the Blue Jackets for Devin Shore.
The Blue Jackets made Milano the 16th overall pick in the 2014 NHL Entry Draft. The 23-year-old forward struggled to maintain a spot in the lineup under head coach John Tortorella. He scored five goals and added 13 assists in 46 games for Columbus this season. Milano is set to become a restricted free-agent on July 1st.
The Blue Jackets have acquired Devin Shore from the Ducks for Sonny Milano.
Shore registered nine goals and 13 assists in 73 games with the Ducks after being acquired from the Stars last season. The 25-year-old was originally drafted by Dallas in the second round of the 2012 NHL Entry Draft. He is set to become a restricted free-agent on July 1st.
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.
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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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- NHL Player Injury Updates and Recovery Timelines – See all the latest NHL player injury updates, timelines for their return, and impact made on each team.
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