© Chris Tanouye/Freestyle Photography/Getty Images

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

Florida Panthers

Aleksander Barkov is expected to play when the Panthers visit the Buffalo Sabres on Monday (7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, MSG-B).

Barkov, who missed his eighth straight game when the Panthers defeated the New York Islanders 6-3 on Saturday, hasn’t played since he was injured Oct. 10, when he slammed into the end boards with his skates after sliding in an attempt to stop an empty-net goal with 1:10 remaining in a 3-1 loss to the Ottawa Senators.

He centered Florida’s top line between Evan Rodrigues and Sam Reinhart at the morning skate Monday.

Barkov, who has one assist in two games this season, tied for the Panthers lead in points (22) in the Stanley Cup Playoffs last season to help them win the Cup.

Buffalo Sabres

Nicolas Aube-Kubel will return from injury when the Sabres host the Panthers on Monday (7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, MSG-B).

The forward has been out since sustaining a lower-body injury in a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils in the opening game of the 2024 NHL Global Series Czechia presented by Fastenal on Oct. 4, when he left in the second period and didn’t return.

Aube-Kubel rejoined his teammates for the first time Tuesday in a regular practice jersey and has been a full participant since. He skated at left wing with center Dylan Cozens and right wing Jack Quinn on Sunday after taking reps among the bottom six in previous practices.

“We took a look at it,” Sabres coach Lindy Ruff said of placing him on that line. “I don’t know if we’re convinced we’re going to use it, but that was what we wanted to see today. [He brings] speed, one of the strongest guys we have on the puck. Was really playing well [before] his injury. It could be a look. That Panthers team is hard, they’re heavy, physical. It could create a little bit more forecheck pressure for us.”

The initial timeline for Aube-Kubel’s return was 3-6 weeks. — Heather Engel

Carolina Hurricanes

Spencer Martin was recalled from Chicago of the American Hockey League by the Hurricanes on Monday.

The 29-year-old goalie was 1-1-1 with a 2.32 goals-against average and .920 save percentage in three AHL games. He played 19 NHL games last season with Carolina and the Columbus Blue Jackets and had a 3.30 GAA and .889 save percentage.

The Hurricanes conclude a six-game road trip (4-1-0) at the Vancouver Canucks on Monday (10 p.m. ET; SNP, FDSNSO).

Ottawa Senators

Shane Pinto is week to week with an undisclosed injury, Senators coach Travis Green said Sunday.

The forward missed his second straight game when Ottawa played at the Colorado Avalanche on Sunday, a 5-4 loss. He played 17:22 of a 4-0 win against the Utah Hockey Club on Tuesday.

The Senators (4-4-0) loaned forwards Adam Gaudette and Cole Reinhardt to Belleville of the AHL on Monday.