NHL Buzz: Miller skates with Canucks for 1st time since leave

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

Vancouver Canucks

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

Miller did not play against 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. "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 New York 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

Boston Bruins

David Pastrnak played for the Bruins against the Winnipeg Jets on Tuesday.

The forward did not practice Monday because of an upper-body injury.

"He'll be in the lineup tonight, he's ready to go," Bruins interim coach Joe Sacco said.

Pastrnak had an assist in 23:57 of ice time Saturday, a 4-3 overtime win against the Philadelphia Flyers. He has one goal and four assists during a four-game point streak and leads Boston with 27 points (nine goals, 18 assists) in 29 games.

"Obviously battling something, but I'm good to go tonight," Pastrnak said.

Tampa Bay Lightning

Anthony Cirelli did not play for the Lightning against the Edmonton Oilers on Tuesday because of an undisclosed injury.

The forward played 4:37 in a 4-2 win at the Vancouver Canucks on Sunday before leaving the game following a hit by Canucks defenseman Noah Juulsen.

Cirelli took part in the morning skate at Rogers Place on Tuesday, but coach Jon Cooper said he would "put Cirelli as doubtful."

Cirelli has 24 points (11 goals, 13 assists) in 25 games this season. -- Gerry Moddejonge

New York Islanders

Anthony Duclair skated with the Islanders on Tuesday for the first time since sustaining an upper-body injury during a 4-3 shootout win against the Montreal Canadiens on Oct. 19.

The forward was wearing a noncontact jersey.

"Loved having him out there," Islanders captain Anders Lee said. "We had him break us down at the end. It's good to have him out there, getting his reps with the boys, getting up to speed, and feeling better and better. It's always a boost when we got guys coming back, getting close and having them around. It's great to see him getting closer."

Duclair has missed 24 games, and there is no update on when the forward will be ready to return to the lineup. He has three points (two goals, one assist) in five games this season.

Defenseman Adam Pelech, who sustained a jaw injury Nov. 1, returned to practice on Dec. 5 but remains in a noncontact jersey. He has missed 19 straight games

Semyon Varlamov has missed five straight game because of a lower-body injury. He has yet to skate since he made 21 saves in a 5-4 overtime loss to the Washington Capitals on Nov. 29.

Mathew Barzal, who sustained an upper-body injury in a 2-0 loss to the Columbus Blue Jackets on Oct. 30, is skating on his own. -- Stefen Rosner

Buffalo Sabres

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

The defenseman has missed 12 games with a lower-body injury.

"We believe he'll be available, yeah," coach Lindy Ruff said. "He's feeling pretty good."

Samuelsson has been a full participant at practice since rejoining the team at their morning skate Dec. 5.

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

"I think, again, another veteran guy with the absence of Dahlin, who's progressing, too, which is good," Ruff said. "I think anytime you throw another guy in that has some experience, I like what I've seen in the practices since he's come back, his rehab skates. Everything looks a lot quicker, a lot more efficient."

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 Toronto on Saturday and Sunday. -- Heather Engel

Nashville Predators

Alexandre Carrier will be out week to week for the Predators because of an upper-body injury.

The defenseman collided with Ottawa Senators forward Brady Tkachuk in the third period of a 3-1 loss Saturday.

"I haven't seen him today," Nashville coach Andrew Brunette said Monday. "As for the hit, you could talk about it. I don't know. It's a little bit unfortunate; [Tkachuk] wasn't looking to do that. It was just one of those plays."

Carrier has seven points (one goal, six assists) in 28 games while averaging 20:08 of ice time.

The Predators are also without defenseman Jeremy Lauzon, who has missed the past six games because of a lower-body injury.

Defenseman Marc Del Gaizo, who has been a healthy scratch the past six games, will replace Carrier when Nashville hosts the Calgary Flames on Tuesday (8 p.m. ET; FDSNSO, SNW). -- Robby Stanley