NHL Buzz: Tkachuk out for Panthers against Penguins with illness

Welcome to the NHL Buzz. The 2022-23 regular season is underway, and NHL.com has you covered with all the latest news.

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Florida Panthers

Matthew Tkachuk did not play after being a game-time decision against the Pittsburgh Penguins on Thursday.
The forward did not participate in Florida's morning skate because of an illness. Tkachuk leads the Panthers with 39 points (14 goals, 25 assists) in 28 games this season.
Carter Verhaeghe returned from an illness after the forward missed a 4-0 win against the Columbus Blue Jackets on Tuesday.
The Panthers recalled forward Aleksi Heponiemi from Charlotte of the American Hockey League after forwards Colin White and Chris Tierney each sustained an upper-body injury Tuesday.
Florida already is without forwards
Anthony Duclair
(Achilles), Patric Hornqvist (head) and Anton Lundell (upper body), and defenseman Radko Gudas (head). -- Wes Crosby

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Philadelphia Flyers

Tony DeAngelo
was placed on non-roster status because of a personal issue.
The defenseman missed his fourth straight game when the Flyers visited the New Jersey Devils on Thursday.
"Tony and I talked last night and it was more or less about his family situation, not about when he comes back," coach John Tortorella said.
DeAngelo has 14 points (four goals, 10 assists) and leads the Flyers with an average ice time of 24:19 in 26 games.
Forward Olle Lycksell was recalled from Lehigh Valley of the American Hockey League. The 23-year-old made his NHL debut Oct. 15, and has 16 points (five goals, 11 assists) in 16 AHL games this season.

Ottawa Senators

Tim Stutzle
is out at least one week because of a shoulder injury.
"If he's back in seven or 10 days, whatever it is, it's certainly lucky," Senators coach D.J. Smith said Wednesday.
The forward, second on the Senators with 27 points (10 goals, 17 assists) in 28 games, left in the first period of a 3-0 win against the Anaheim Ducks on Monday after a hit from Ducks forward Brett Leason.
Stutzle's right arm bent awkwardly at impact. Smith said there is no structural damage to the shoulder, only a contusion.
"We would never put him at risk, but if it's at the point where he can't make it worse, I would assume he'll play," Smith said. "I wouldn't count him out before Christmas, but he may not [play before then]."
Derick Brassard took Stutzle's place at first-line center with Brady Tkachuk and Drake Batherson in a 3-2 win against the Montreal Canadiens on Wednesday.
Forward Tyler Motte is week to week after a hit from Ducks defenseman Simon Benoit. Stutzle and Motte join an injured list that includes forwards Josh Norris (shoulder) and Mathieu Joseph (lower body), and defenseman Artem Zub (jaw).
Forward Jacob Lucchini was recalled by the Senators from Belleville of the American Hockey League and made his NHL debut Wednesday. -- Callum Fraser

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Pittsburgh Penguins

Jason Zucker is week to week with a lower-body injury, Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said Wednesday.
The forward left late in the second period of a 2-1 win against the Dallas Stars on Monday but returned for the third. Zucker is fourth on the Penguins with 20 points (six goals, 14 assists) in 27 games.
Zucker and Jeff Petry did not play at Florida on Thursday.
Petry was placed on long-term injured reserve Tuesday, retroactive to Dec. 11, because of an upper-body injury. By being placed on LTIR, the 35-year-old defenseman will be out for a minimum of 24 days and 10 games.
"We've got other guys that we're going to put in the lineup that, once again, we believe we have capable guys," Sullivan said. "We have enough to win. It's going to provide opportunities for others to step up and play more significant roles."
Danton Heinen, a healthy scratch in five of the past seven games, is expected to play in Zucker's spot at left wing on the second line with center Evgeni Malkin and right wing Bryan Rust after practicing there Wednesday.
Kris Letang likely will replace Petry on the top defense pair with Marcus Pettersson after skating there Wednesday.
Zucker missed two games because of an undisclosed injury earlier this season before returning Oct. 29. He was sidelined 41 games with various injuries last season.
"We feel for 'Zuck' because he's played extremely well for us," Sullivan said. "It's been a struggle since he's been a Penguin just keeping him healthy."
Petry said he was fine after leaving a 3-1 win against the Buffalo Sabres on Dec. 10 with 1:51 remaining in the third following a hit into the boards by Sabres forward Alex Tuch. Petry missed the win against the Stars on Monday that extended the Penguins' winning streak to six games.
Petry has 12 points (three goals, nine assists) in 28 games this season, his first with Pittsburgh after he was acquired in a trade with the Montreal Canadiens on July 16.
Forward Drew O'Connor and defenseman Mark Friedman were recalled from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the AHL on Tuesday. -- Wes Crosby

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St. Louis Blues

Pavel Buchnevich will return for the Blues against the Edmonton Oilers on Thursday (9 p.m. ET; SNW, BSMW, ESPN+, SN NOW).
The forward missed four games because of a lower-body injury sustained in a 6-4 loss to the New York Rangers on Dec. 5. He practiced Wednesday, before the start of St. Louis' five-game road trip and took part in the morning skate before a 1-0 overtime win against the Nashville Predators on Monday.
"He was good in practice [Wednesday], I thought he looked good," Blues coach Craig Berube said. "Never heard anything after. Should be good to go.
"He's an all-situational guy for us. He's a good defensive player for sure, has got a great stick. But he has great anticipation out there. He's got great vision. He makes plays, he's got really great vision. He can also shoot too. We all know that, but his vision is probably his No. 1 asset."
Buchnevich is expected to skate on a line with Brayden Schenn and Vladimir Tarasenko, the first time the Blues have used that line combination this season. Buchnevich has 20 points (nine goals, 11 assists) in 20 games.
"Schenn and 'Buchy' have played together before and obviously with 'Vladi' (and Robert Thomas), but not all three of them, no, Berube said. "I think you've got a little bit of everything on that line with Buchy being a playmaker and Vladi obviously a scorer. 'Schenner' scores, but grit. Hoping it's a competitive line and a good line." -- Lou Korac

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Vegas Golden Knights

Jack Eichel is day to day, Shea Theodore week to week and Zach Whitecloud month to month for the Golden Knights, each with a lower-body injury.
Eichel will miss his third straight game and fifth in the past six. The forward last played Dec. 9, skating 20:15 in a 2-1 overtime win against the Flyers. Eichel leads the Golden Knights with 29 points (13 goals, 16 assists) in 27 games.
Theodore left the game against the Flyers during overtime after colliding shins with Philadelphia defenseman Travis Sanheim. The defenseman was helped off the ice and immediately went to the dressing room. Theodore leads Vegas defensemen with 22 points (four goals, 18 assists) in 29 games.
Whitecloud was injured during the second period of a 3-1 loss to the Boston Bruins on Sunday when the defenseman collided with Bruins forward Taylor Hall. Whitecloud has six points (one goal, five assists) in 30 games.
In addition to missing Theodore and Whitecloud from their defense corps, the Golden Knights are without Alex Pietrangelo, who is away from the team for personal reasons.
Forward
Jonas Rondbjerg
, and defensemen
Kaedan Korczak
and
Brayden Pachal
were recalled from Henderson of the AHL on Monday. Pachal made his NHL debut against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday. Rondbjerg could join him in the lineup against the Chicago Blackhawks on Thursday (8:30 p.m. ET; NBCSCH, ATTSN-RM, ESPN+, SN NOW).