NHL Buzz: Carlsson to return for Ducks against Senators

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. Each day during the regular season, NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news.

Anaheim Ducks

Leo Carlsson will return from an upper-body injury against the Ottawa Senators on Wednesday (7:30 p.m. ET; SN, TVAS, Victory+, KCOP-13).

The 19-year-old forward missed six games after taking a hit from Seattle Kraken forward Tye Kartye on Nov. 25.

"Leo is a dynamic player," coach Greg Cronin said following the morning skate Wednesday. "He's got the size and the length and the skill. Anytime you get somebody back in the lineup like that, it's going to add some offense to our team. And we've obviously struggled this year with the offensive part of the game, so I think that will give us a good boost."

Carlsson has 11 points (six goals, five assists) in 20 games. After playing the majority of the 2023-24 season as a center, he has slotted in at right wing this season on various lines in the top nine. -- Callum Fraser

Buffalo Sabres

Mattias Samuelsson will return for the Sabres against the New York Rangers on Wednesday (7 p.m. ET; MAX, truTV, TNT).

The defenseman missed 12 games with a lower-body injury. Samuelsson has been a full participant at practice since rejoining the team at its morning skate Dec. 5. The Sabres did not skate Wednesday morning.

His return will boost a defense that has also been without captain Rasmus Dahlin, who has missed three games with back spasms.

Dahlin, who is fourth on the team with 19 points (six goals, 13 assists), could return for the Sabres on the weekend when they play back-to-back road games at the Washington Capitals and the Toronto Maple Leafs on Saturday and Sunday. -- Heather Engel

Vancouver Canucks

J.T. Miller skated with the Canucks on Tuesday for the first time since the top-line center took a personal leave of absence Nov. 19.

Miller did not play in a 4-3 overtime loss to the St. Louis Blues on Tuesday but will take part in his first full practice Wednesday.

"I don't know about [playing against the Florida Panthers on] Thursday," coach Rick Tocchet said Tuesday. "He's going to practice with the full team [Wednesday], so we'll get him with a line and get him cooking and go from there. I'll talk to him, how he feels but he's been skating and he's anxious to get going but on his terms."

The 31-year-old forward is in his sixth season with Vancouver and 13th NHL season, having also played for the Rangers and Tampa Bay Lightning.

Miller has 16 points (six goals, 10 assists) in 17 games this season, which is tied for sixth on the Canucks. He was second on the team in scoring before going on leave.

"It's nice just to have him around, back in the room," forward Conor Garland said. "He looked good out there, so not much rust. He looked fast, looked energized, kind of like almost when you come back from break a little bit. So, we're excited just to just have him back in the fold."

Miller led Vancouver with career highs in goals (37), points (103) and power-play points (40) last season, and was a career-high plus-32. -- Kevin Woodley