NHL Hockey Player News

Los Angeles has resigned Akil Thomas to a two-year, $1.55 million contract extension ($775,000 AAV).

Thomas made his NHL debut in 2023-24 and has signed a two-year, $1.55 million contract extension ($775,000 AAV) to stay with the Los Angeles Kings. The 24-year-old centre spent the last four seasons with Ontario (AHL) before finally cracking the Kings' lineup and appeared in seven games, amassing three goals, four points, nine SOG and two PIMs for the Kings once he did.

Akil Thomas
Tampa Bay have signed Declan Carlile to a two-year, two-way contract extension.

Carlile followed up his 2023-24 NHL debut (1 game) by signing a two-year, two-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on Thursday. The 24-year-old defenseman spent the majority of his 2023-24 with Syracuse (AHL) and had seven goals and 27 points in 61 games played. He made his NHL debut and only appearance on January 4th, 2024 against Minnesota.

Declan Carlile
Los Angeles has signed Andre Lee to a one-year, two-way contract.

Lee spent the last three seasons with Ontario (AHL) after graduating from UMass-Lowell (NCAA) in 2022-22 and signed his first NHL contract Wednesday as Los Angeles signed him to a one-year, two-way contract. The 23-year-old left-winger was Los Angeles' 2019 seventh-round pick (188th overall) and had eight goals and 13 points in 36 games with Ontario in 2023-24.

Andre Lee
Montreal has agreed to a one-year, two-way contract with Connor Hughes for the 2024-25 season.

Montreal made their first off-season signing on Tuesday as they brought in Connor Hughes from Switzerland for a one-year, two-way contract which starts in the 2024-25 season. The 27-year-old travelling netminder had never played higher than the GOJHL in North America and has played in either the NL or SL league in Switzerland since 2017-18. In 2023-24 he appeared in 19 games for Lausanne HC (NL) and had an impressive 1.73 GAA and .940 SV%.

Ryan is expected to be back in the lineup for Game 6.

Ryan was a healthy scratch in Game 5 but it looks like he could replace Sam Carrick in the lineup for Game 6. Carrick remained on the ice with the scratches during Sunday's morning skate, an indication that he's coming out of the lineup, although no changes were confirmed by head coach Kris Knoblauch.

Derek Ryan
Carrick is expected to be a healthy scratch for Game 6.

Carrick replaced Derek Ryan in the lineup in Game 5, but it looks like Ryan could be back in for him in Game 6. Carrick remained on the ice with the scratches during Sunday's morning skate, an indication that he's coming out of the lineup, although no changes were confirmed by head coach Kris Knoblauch.

Sam Carrick

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!