NHL Player News

Rasmussen posted an assist and two hits in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Predators.

Rasmussen got on the scoresheet for the first time this season, setting up Andrew Copp on Detroit's second empty-netter. Through five appearances, Rasmussen has produced five shots on net, 10 hits, two blocked shots and a plus-2 rating. The 25-year-old forward plays a physical game, but his ice time is down by more than two minutes per game compared to 2023-24, which will make it difficult for him to repeat his 33-point campaign from last year.

Veleno recorded an assist, two shots on goal and four hits in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Predators.

Veleno registered his first in five appearances this season. The 24-year-old has played a bottom-six role so far, adding seven shots on net, 12 hits, six blocked shots and a minus-2 rating. He's filled a similar role over the last three campaigns, earning a career-high 28 points over 80 regular-season contests in 2023-24. Veleno can throw hits, but his offense is too limited to help in most fantasy formats.

Kasper logged an assist, three hits and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Predators.

In his second career NHL outing, Kasper earned his first point by assisting on a Vladimir Tarasenko tally in the first period. The 20-year-old Kasper is one of the Red Wings' top prospects, but it's unclear how much time the Austrian forward will get to make an impact in the NHL after he was called up to replace Tyler Motte (upper body) on Friday. Kasper will likely occupy a bottom-six role initially unless his play warrants a promotion to a scoring line.

Larkin scored a power-play goal on two shots in Saturday's 5-2 win over the Predators.

Larkin has scored in three of the Red Wings' five games so far, with his tally Saturday being his first power-play point of the year. The 28-year-old center has four points, nine shots on net, four hits, four blocked shots and a plus-1 rating. While that's a fairly modest scoring pace, Larkin frequently ranks among the Red Wings' leaders in ice time, so he should be capable of being a bit more explosive on offense.

Paul scored a goal on three shots and added four PIM in Saturday's 5-4 loss to the Senators.

Paul picked up his first goal and fourth point of the season when he tied the game at 2-2 midway through the second period. The 29-year-old continues to play in a middle-six role. He's added eight shots on net, four hits, four PIM and a plus-2 rating over four contests. A point-per-game pace is too much to expect from Paul, but he can chip in decent depth scoring and hits, giving him fantasy value in deeper formats.

Gregor scored a shorthanded goal on two shots and added two hits in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Lightning.

Gregor has maintained a middle-six role early in the season. The 26-year-old has one goal, nine shots on net, 11 hits and a minus-1 rating over five appearances this campaign. Gregor had 23 points over 63 regular-season appearances in 2021-22 with the Sharks, but he's been unable to replicate that production and will have a tough time doing so in 2024-25. His goal Saturday was his fourth career game-winner and second shortie in six NHL campaigns.

Norris scored a goal on two shots, added two PIM, logged two hits and blocked two shots in Saturday's 5-4 win over the Lightning.

Norris has impressed early in the year with three goals, two assists, seven shots on net, 12 hits and six blocked shots over five contests. The center is seeing time on the second line and has also received ample power-play minutes, earning three of his five points with the man advantage. The 25-year-old has struggled with shoulder injuries throughout his career, but he is off to a productive and healthy start to the 2024-25 campaign.

Backlund recorded a power-play assist and three shots on goal in Saturday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Kraken.

Backlund is up to three points over five contests this season, offering steady offense as well as his usual two-way play to begin 2024-25. The center set up linemate Blake Coleman's power-play marker late in the first period. Backlund has added 10 shots on net, four hits, three blocked shots and a plus-2 rating while seeing big minutes despite playing on the Flames' listed third line.

Coleman scored a power-play goal on three shots and added two hits in Saturday's 2-1 overtime loss to the Kraken.

Coleman doesn't often feature much on the power play, but he's steadily served on the second unit to begin 2024-25. The goal was his first of the campaign to go with one assist, 19 shots on net, 10 hits and a minus-1 rating through five appearances. He's unlikely to repeat his 30-goal, 24-assist performance from 2023-24, but Coleman is one of the Flames' most trusted all-situations forwards.

McCann notched a power-play assist in Saturday's 2-1 overtime win over the Flames.

McCann set up a Chandler Stephenson tally in the second period, tying the game at 1-1. With eight points and a plus-5 rating over six games, McCann is off to a fantastic start to the 2024-25 campaign. He has been seeing top-six minutes and power-play time. McCann has added 12 shots on net, five blocked shots and two hits, though offense will be his primary source of production for fantasy managers.