Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk will end a five-game absence on Tuesday when he takes the ice against the Minnesota Wild in Sunrise, Florida.
Tkachuk reportedly was sidelined because of an illness; however, he told reporters Tuesday after the morning skate that that was not the case.
"I am feeling very good," he said. "I was never really sick, just had to have a little procedure done. I have been good since then, and just had to take a few days to make sure everything was all settled. Ready to get back into the lineup and help."
Florida fared well in his absence, going 3-1-1.
Tkachuk, 26, has notched two assists in two games this season.
A Stanley Cup champion last season, Tkachuk has 581 points (218 goals, 363 assists) in 592 games with the Calgary Flames (2016-22) and Panthers.