Atlantic notes: Tkachuk, Perron, Greenway

The defending Stanley Cup Champion Florida Panthers are off to a strong start this season with a 4-2-1 record, which becomes even more impressive when you consider the team has been without forwards. Aleksander Barkov And Matthew Tkachuk for five games. The latter has been out for over a week due to illness, but should return tomorrow night against the Minnesota Wild, according to David Dwork of The Hockey News.

Tkachuk had two assists in two games for the Panthers to start the season before leaving the lineup on October 14. He is expected to slot on the right wing alongside familiar linemates Sam Bennett And Carter Verhaeghe.

He should have been a popular candidate to replace Eetu Luostarinen on Florida’s first line, but their production over the past few games leaves little room for upgrade. According to Hockey Reference, the combination of Luostarinen, Sam ReinhartAnd Anton Lundell has recorded 23 points in seven games with an even more impressive E+/- of 8.1.

Other Atlantic notes:

• The Ottawa Senators’ most notable signing of the past offseason, David Perronwill be away from the team for personal reasons for the foreseeable future (X Link). Perron joined the Senators on a two-year, $8 million pact to take on a role similar to his tenure with the Detroit Red Wings. He has gone scoreless in his first five games with the organization and will look to rebound upon his return.
• Lance Lysowski of The Buffalo News previously reported that moving forward Jordan Greenway has returned to practice for the Buffalo Sabers after an upper-body injury, and Mike Harrington of Buffalo News Sports later added that he could be in the lineup tomorrow. Greenway was a surprise scratch in the team’s most recent game against the Chicago Blackhawks a few days ago, as it took until after the game to hear about his upper-body injury. He is currently tied for fourth behind Buffalo in scoring with two goals and four points through the first six games.