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

Philadelphia Flyers

Matvei Michkov will play when the Flyers host the San Jose Sharks on Monday (7 p.m. ET; NBCSP, NBCSCA) after being scratched the previous two games.

Coach John Tortorella said he spoke with Michkov during his absence from the lineup but wouldn’t divulge their conversations. The forward, who was the No. 7 pick at the 2023 NHL Draft, is second among all rookies with 10 points (four goals, six assists) in 13 games. He went four straight without a point before getting an assist in a 6-4 loss at the Carolina Hurricanes on Nov. 5.

“Everything we try to do is try to be positive, to help the player,” Tortorella said. “Not just him, but other players.”

Michkov was on a line during the morning skate with center Ryan Poehling, who will play after missing three games because of an upper-body injury. They will replace forwards Morgan Frost and Nicolas Deslauriers in the lineup.

“I’m excited,” Poehling said of Michkov. “He showcases a lot of skill in the game. I think my main priority tonight is just going to be working hard, getting him the puck and then getting open. You see it when he has time and space, he can make great plays. I think for me it’s just get him the puck and let him do what he can do, and then for me, just getting open, finding open areas and I think he’ll be able to find me. So, I’m excited.”

Defenseman Jamie Drysdale will not play because of an undisclosed injury. Defenseman Erik Johnson will replace him Monday. — Adam Kimelman

Pittsburgh Penguins

Kevin Hayes is week to week for the Penguins because of an upper-body injury.

The 32-year-old forward did not practice Sunday; he has missed two games since playing 9:40 in a 4-3 shootout loss to the New York Islanders on Nov. 5. Hayes has four points (three goals, one assist) in 14 games this season after being acquired in a trade from the St. Louis Blues on June 29.

Cody Glass is out indefinitely because of a concussion; the forward was injured Thursday during a 5-1 loss at the Hurricanes. Glass, who was acquired in a trade with the Nashville Predators on Aug. 13, has four assists in 14 games.

Neither will play when Pittsburgh hosts the Dallas Stars on Monday (7 p.m. ET; Victory+, SN-PIT, TVAS).

Forward Matt Nieto scored Saturday in his first game of a conditioning loan with Wilkes-Barre/Scranton of the American Hockey League. He has not played in the NHL since Nov. 30, 2023, and had laparoscopic surgery to his right knee Jan. 4 and reconstructive MCL surgery on his left knee May 2.

“When you think about his rehab, it’s been a year since he’s played a game,” Penguins coach Mike Sullivan said. “So, it’s a long time. For him to get into some game-real scenarios, I think is essential, quite honestly.” — Wes Crosby

Vancouver Canucks

Jonathan Lekkerimaki is expected to make his NHL debut when the Canucks host the Calgary Flames on Tuesday (10 p.m. ET; SN1, SNP).

The 20-year-old forward was recalled from Abbotsford of the AHL on Sunday. He will likely replace forward Brock Boeser, who is out indefinitely because of an upper-body injury, on a line with J.T. Miller and Pius Suter, where he skated Sunday.

“Try to enjoy the moment and have fun, so very excited,” Lekkerimaki said. “My role for the team is to play offense and shoot lots, so try to do my best there.”

The Tullinge, Sweden, native was chosen by Vancouver in the first round (No. 15) of the 2022 NHL Draft. He has seven points (five goals, two assists) in seven AHL games this season, his second in North America.

“It’s obviously a huge piece for us, a guy that can make a play under pressure, a guy who’s got a good shot — a great shot — thinks the game, can make plays, so I’m excited to see how he plays,” Canucks coach Rick Tocchet said. “He’s progressing at a really high level down there from what I’ve been told, obviously scoring goals, but making the little plays and his play without the puck.”

Vancouver sent forwards Arshdeep Bains and Nils Aman, and goalie Arturs Silovs to Abbotsford. Goalie Ty Young was recalled for practice Sunday.

Silovs is 0-2-1 with a 4.77 goals-against average and .808 save percentage in four games (three starts) this season. He has only started one game for the Canucks since Oct. 15. Silovs made 23 saves in Abbotsford’s 4-2 win against Bakersfield on Sunday and could be recalled by Vancouver on Monday.

“We’ve got to get him into games,” Tocchet said. — Kevin Woodley

Columbus Blue Jackets

Dante Fabbro was claimed off waivers by the Blue Jackets from the Predators on Sunday.

The 26-year-old defenseman did not have a point in six games this season, his sixth with Nashville after being a first-round pick (No. 17) at the 2016 NHL Draft. He was minus-3 and averaged 13:06 of ice time per game.
 
“Dante Fabbro is a puck-moving defenseman that can play in all situations and adds mobility and depth to our back end,” general manager Don Waddell said.

Fabbro has 72 points (16 goals, 56 assists) in 315 regular-season games and one assist in 17 Stanley Cup Playoff games, all with the Predators.

Columbus also placed forward Kent Johnson on injured reserve retroactive to Oct. 17. The forward has missed the past 10 games because of an upper-body injury.

The Blue Jackets (5-7-2) lost their fifth straight (0-4-1) Sunday, 4-2 at the Anaheim Ducks.