Suspension
The NHL has suspended Jujhar Khaira for two games for cross-checking Vince Dunn of the Blues.
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NHL Hockey Player News
Kovalchuk (ankle) will return to the Kings lineup on Saturday.
Kovalchuk was originally expected to miss four weeks bu will return less than three weeks after undergoing a procedure on his ankle. Kovalchuk’s return to the NHL got off to a nice start, scoring five goals and nine assists (14 points) in his first 14 games but went pointless in 11 games before getting hurt.
The Islanders have recalled Devon Toews from Bridgeport (AHL).
Toews has registered five goals and 14 assists (19 points) in 24 games with Bridgeport this season. Over the last three years, Toews has 18 goals and 68 assists (86 points) in 130 games. He comes up with Thomas Hickey on IR and could make his NHL debut on Thursday.
The Islanders have placed Thomas Hickey (upper-body) on IR.
Hickey missed Tuesday’s game in Arizona and was placed on IR on Wednesday, which rules him out for at least the next two games. He will be eligible to come off of IR and play next Friday after the Christmas break.
Goalie Start
Holtby will start Wednesday vs. the Penguins.
Goalie Start
Price will start Wednesday in Colorado.
Klingberg (hand) will return to the Stars lineup on Thursday.
Klingberg has been out since November 8th but is set to return to the Stars lineup tomorrow. Klingberg has registered 13 points (5G / 8A) in 16 games with the Stars prior to getting hurt. Klingberg will be back on a pair with Esa Lindell and on the top power-play against the Blackhawks.
Goalie Start
Andersen will start against the Panthers on Thursday.
Andersen allowed two goals on 29 shots in the Maple Leafs win in New Jersey on Tuesday. Andersen snapped a brief two-game losing streak for Andersen, who is 4-2-1 with a 3.34 GAA and .897 SV%. It’s a bit of a tough month for the 29-year-old netminder, who faces the Panthers for the second time in a week—he allowed four goals on 33 shots in a 4-3 OT loss in Florida last Saturday.
Goalie Start
Murray will start against the Capitals on Wednesday.
Hornqvist (upper-body) will be a game-time decision against the Capitals on Wednesday. He is considered probable to play.
Kerfoot (upper-body) will play against the Canadiens on Wednesday.
Waiver Move
The Sabres placed Berglund on unconditional waivers with the intent to terminate his contract.
Goalie Start
Murray was the first goalie off the ice at the Penguins' morning skate on Wednesday.
Varone has been assigned to Lehigh Valley (AHL).
Bergeron (rib and sternoclavicular) returned to practice on Wednesday.
Chara (knee) returned to practice on Wednesday.
Kruger (concussion) has been placed on injured reserve.
The Blackhawks recalled Johnson from Rockford (AHL) on Wednesday.
Goalie Start
Holtby was in the starter's crease at the Capitals' morning skate on Wednesday.
Goalie Start
Quick leads the Kings onto the ice for warmups.
Quick allowed four goals on 36 shots in the Kings loss in Pittsburgh on Saturday. Quick has lost three in a row while giving up a combined 11 goals on 98 shots (.888 SV%). Even in the STAPLES Center, Quick is 2-4-1 with a 3.12 GAA and .898 SV% this season and he should be left on the bench against powerhouse Jets squad.
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!
- 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.
- NHL Waiver Wire Moves and Implications – Check out all the latest moves made on the NHL waiver wire and their implications on the teams involved.
- NHL Latest Line Combination Changes – Bringing you every line combination from across all 32 NHL teams, check out the latest NHL line combination changes made ahead of their next tilt.
- NHL Player Signings and Contract Details – Your go-to spot during NHL free agency, check out the latest NHL player signings and contract details today.
- NHL Roster Changes and Transactions – Looking to see what the latest moves made by your favourite team were? Then check out the latest NHL roster changes and transactions here on DFO.