NHL Buzz: Acciari to return for Panthers against Red Wings

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Throughout the 2021-22 season, NHL.com will have you covered with the latest news.

Florida Panthers

Noel Acciari will return for the Panthers after missing 10 games when they host the Detroit Red Wings on Thursday (7 p.m. ET, HULU, ESPN+, NHL Live).
The forward hasn't played since sustaining an undisclosed injury in a 7-4 win against the Montreal Canadiens on March 29. He has five points (one goal, four assists) in 14 games and missed the first 48 games this season with an upper-body injury he sustained in a preseason game against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Acciari will play on a line with Eetu Luostarinen and Joe Thornton, who will be back in the lineup after being a healthy scratch the past seven games.
Carter Verhaeghe will miss the game with a maintenance day. Coach Andrew Brunette said the forward was dealing with some minor issues.
Ryan Lomberg will miss a fifth consecutive game with an undisclosed injury, though the forward did take part in the morning skate. -- Alain Poupart

Minnesota Wild

Jon Merrill will return for the Wild when they host the Vancouver Canucks on Thursday (8 p.m. ET; BSN, BSWI, SNP, ESPN+, NHL LIVE).
Merrill has missed the past 10 games with an upper-body injury. He has 18 points (four goals, 14 assists) in 63 games this season.
Defenseman Matt Dumba (upper body) and forward Jordan Greenway (upper body) participated in the Wild's optional morning skate.
Wild coach Dean Evason said each is close to a return but ruled them out for Thursday and against the Seattle Kraken on Friday. Dumba has missed the past seven games, Greenway the past four.
"Their progression is to be with us now," Evason said, "and we'll evaluate as we go, but neither one of those will play tonight."
Tyson Jost will miss a third straight game with an upper-body injury but could play Friday. Marcus Foligno remains in COVID-19 protocol and will miss his second game in a row.
"The projection is that Jost will play tomorrow but again coming off an injury, back-to-back games we just didn't want to put him in that situation," Evason said. "Could he have [played tonight] maybe, but why risk it." -- Jessi Pierce