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NHL Hockey Player News

The Penguins have activated Kevin Hayes from IR.

Hayes was a full participant in Friday's practice and appears set to make his season debut on Saturday. The 33-year-old veteran centre, is expected to start on the third line and second power-play unit. He had 13 goals and 10 assists (23 points) in 64 games last season.

Kevin Hayes
The Bruins have placed Elias Lindholm (lower-body) on IR.

Lindholm is considered week-to-week, so the move was mostly procedural to open a roster spot for Alex Steeves, who was recalled from Providence (AHL). With Lindholm sidelined, Marat Khusnutdinov is expected to remain the Bruins’ No. 1 centre on Saturday.

Elias Lindholm
Hellebuyck will start in San Jose on Friday.

The Jets will turn to Hellebuyck between the pipes for the 11th time this season when they travel to San Jose to take on the Sharks on Friday. Hellebuyck was unfortunate to be tagged with the loss in his last outing, stopping 23 of the 25 shots he faced in a 3-0 defeat in Los Angeles on Tuesday. The reigning Hart Trophy winner is a good bet to get back in the win column on Friday, as the Jets enter action at -190 on the money line.

Connor Hellebuyck
Bahl (undisclosed) will not play against the Blackhawks on Friday.

Bahl showed no signs of an ailment in Calgary's most recent game, playing 20:34 time-on-ice, but will miss his first game of the season on Friday due to an undisclosed injury. The 25-year-old Bahl has three points (1G / 2A) and leads a defensively porous Flames team with a +6 plus/minus through 15 games.

Kevin Bahl
Knight will start in Calgary on Friday.

The 6-5-3 Blackhawks will turn to Knight on Friday when they visit the Calgary Flames. Knight was outstanding in his most recent game, saving 43 of 45 shots (.956 SV%) in a 5-2 win over the Vancouver Canucks. The 24-year-old goalie boasts a solid 2.56 GAA and .919 SV% through 10 games this season (5-3-2). The Blackhawks enter Friday's contest as +138 road underdogs against a Flames team averaging only 2.4 goals per game through 15 contests (4-9-2).

Spencer Knight
Quick will start in Detroit on Friday.

The Rangers suffered their fourth shutout loss through 14 games this season (6-6-2) and hope the veteran presence of Jonathan Quick between the pipes can return them to the win column. The 39-year-old Quick has been used sparingly early in the 2025-26 season, but has been excellent when called upon, posting a stellar 1.35 GAA and a .941 SV% in three games (2-1-0). The Rangers enter Friday's contest as +107 road underdogs against a Red Wings team that is 5-1-0 on home ice this season.

Jonathan Quick

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!