65 Markus Nutivaara D

Nutivaara (upper body) was placed on injured reserve Thursday, per the NHL's official media site.

This transaction is retroactive to Feb. 15, so Nutivaara can return at any point. It's unlikely that he'll play Thursday versus the Stars, but the 26-year-old could play in Saturday's matchup against the Hurricanes. Nutivaara has played seven games this year, posting three assists and nine hits.

Nutivaara has been sidelined for the Panthers' last five games with an upper-body injury, but he's close to returning to the lineup, George Richards of Panthers Press Box reports.

It initially seemed as though Nutivaara had simply been sitting as a healthy scratch, but it's now been revealed the 26-year-old blueliner has actually been sidelined for a little over a week with an upper-body issue. He won't be available for Tuesday's game versus Dallas, but Nutivaara should return to the lineup sometime soon.

Nutivaara (COVID-19 protocols) had an assist in 12:29 of ice time in Thursday's 3-2 shootout loss to Columbus.

Nutivaara's ice time was limited in his Panthers debut, but he still managed to get on the scoresheet against his former team. Look for the Finn's responsibilities to increase as he shakes off the cobwebs and gets acclimated to playing with his new team after sitting out the first two weeks of the season.

Nutivaara (COVID-19 protocols) is expected to make his season debut Thursday against the Blue Jackets, David Dwork of Local 10 Miami reports.

Nutivaara missed Florida's first three games of the campaign due to the NHL's COVID-19 protocols, but he's expected to skate on the Panthers' second pairing Thursday. The 26-year-old Finn notched nine points in 37 games with Columbus last campaign.

Nutivaara (COVID-19 protocols) isn't expected to play Tuesday against Columbus, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

Nutivaara has been practicing since last Tuesday after clearing the league's COVID-19 protocols, but coach Joel Quenneville evidently still doesn't think he's ready to make his season debut. The 26-year-old Finn will likely draw into a bottom-four role whenever he's given the green light.

Nutivaara (COVID-19 protocols) is questionable for Tuesday's clash with Columbus but will travel with the team for its four-game road trip, David Dwork of Local 10 Miami reports.

Nutivaara hasn't played in the team's first two games as he continues to get back up to speed. Once good to go, the defenseman will likely slot into the lineup in favor of Keith Yandle who has reportedly been on the outs. In 37 games last year, the 25-year-old Finn managed just three goals on 47 shots and six helpers, making him a mid-range fantasy option at best.

Nutivaara returned to the team Tuesday after clearing the NHL's COVID-19 protocols, David Dwork of Local 10 Miami reports.

Nutivaara is eligible to make his Panthers debut in Tuesday's game against the Blackhawks. The 26-year-old blueliner logged 244 NHL games over the last four years with the Panthers, contributing 17 goals, 43 assists and 30 PIM.

Nutivaara was placed in the NHL's COVID-19 protocol Monday, Sportsnet's Chris Johnston reports.

Nutivaara was already expected to miss Tuesday's game against the Blackhawks, and the reason for his absence is now clear. The 26-year-old won't be able to participate in team activities until he clears the COVID-19 protocols.

Coach Joel Quenneville doesn't expect Nutivaara (not injury related) to play in Sunday's or Tuesday's game against the Blackhawks, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.

Nutivaara missed the entirety of Florida's training camp due to the NHL's COVID-19 protocol, so he'll likely need a few practices to get up to speed before making his Panthers debut. The 26-year-old Finn notched nine points in 37 games while skating in a bottom-pairing role with the Blue Jackets last season.

Per the NHL's Media Site, Nutivaara was cleared from the league's COVID-19 protocols.

Nutivaara was placed on the list Wednesday, so it's a positive sign to see the 26-year-old activated a day later. With Thursday and Friday's games cancelled with the Stars, the Panthers won't play until Sunday, which gives Nutivaara a good chance to suit up.

Nutivaara is unavailable due to the league's COVID-19 protocols.

The specifics of his placement remain unclear, but Nutivaara will not be able to practice or travel with the team until he's been cleared. This news likely rules the forward out of Thursday's game against the Stars, but there's no specific timeline for his return.

Nutivaara (undisclosed) was deemed unfit to play in practice Monday, David Dwork of WPLG Local 10 News South Florida reports.

Nutivaara's practice debut with the Panthers will be put on hold, likely because he has not yet completed the required quarantine period, though it's possible there's a different reason at play for his absence. The 26-year-old blueliner was in and out of the lineup in a deep Columbus defense corps last season but should have an everyday role for the Panthers.

Nutivaara was acquired by the Panthers from the Blue Jackets on Thursday in a swap for Cliff Pu.

Nutivaara played in just 37 games for the Jackets last season in which he notched three goals, six assists and 47 shots while averaging 15:55 of ice time. With Florida, the blueliner should have significantly more opportunities to get into the lineup, though he'll face challenges for ice time from Riley Stillman and Brady Keeper.

Nutivaara is in the lineup Sunday for Game 5 against Toronto, Blue Jackets team reporter Jeff Svoboda reports.

Nutivaara was a healthy scratch in Games 1, 2 and 4, and skated 17:47 while not contributing anything offensively other than a shot on net in Game 3. With head coach John Tortorella opting to roll with seven defensemen for the must-win Game 5, Nutivaara made the cut in favor of forward Nathan Gerbe.

Nutivaara has recorded only one assist with five shots, nine hits, 13 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating over his last 12 games.

The 25-year-old remains a steady presence in his own end and a key cog in a blue line corps that has been helping rookie netminder Elvis Merzlikins shine, but Nutivaara hasn't been doing much to help fantasy GMs. Don't expect that to change down the stretch.

Nutivaara (upper body) went minus-1 in 16:17 during Monday's 4-2 win over the Kings.

Nutivaara's first game in two months was a quiet one. The Finnish defenseman figures to serve in a third-pairing role. Fantasy owners need not pay much attention -- he has only two goals through 11 appearances this season.

Nutivaara (upper body) was activated from injured reserve Sunday.

Nutivaara has been skating for over a month but hasn't played in a game since Nov. 5. The 25-year-old is expected to return to the lineup for Monday's game versus the Kings, likely bumping out Gabriel Carlsson. Nutivaara has two goals through 10 games this season.

Nutivaara (upper body) practiced with a no-contact jersey Monday, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.

Following a report by Portzline on Sunday revealing there was no clear timeline for Nutivaara's return, the 24-year-old defenseman has made his next step in recovery. Nutivaara needs to elevate to full participation before being reinserted into the lineup, but it's realistic to project him to return within the next week or so. It comes at a crucial time since Zach Werenski (shoulder) is expected to miss four weeks.

Nutivaara (upper body) still has no clear timeline to return, Aaron Portzline of The Athletic reports.

It's unlikely Nutivaara returns to the lineup this week, and his absence became more damaging following the report that Zach Werenski (shoulder) will miss the next four weeks. Nutivaara hasn't played since Nov. 5, and he's recorded two goals and zero assists through 10 contests.

Nutivaara (upper body) remains on injured reserve ahead of Friday's matchup with St. Louis, per the NHL's official media site.

Nutivaara will be eligible to return whenever he's deemed fit to play, but at this point there's no telling when that might be. Another update on the 25-year-old blueliner's status should surface once he's set to rejoin the lineup.