Schmaltz has been out since October 25th but is set to return to the lineup on Friday. Schmaltz will play on the wing in his return, skating on a line with Barrett Hayton and Lawson Crouse.
Connauton was in and out of the Panthers lineup over the last month and was waived yesterday with Gustav Forsling returning on Tuesday. Gabriel Carlsson will remain with the Panthers now that Connauton is gone.
Stenlund has been a healthy scratch for the last two games and with Max Domi back healthy, Stenlund returns to Cleveland. The 25-year-old has one goal and two assists in seven AHL games this season.
Durzi has had a terrific start to the season in Ontario, scoring five goals with eight assists (13 points) in 12 games. Durzi replaces Austin Strand, who was with the Kings but not in the lineup. It remains to be seen if Durzi will make his NHL debut over the weekend.
McCartney played in two games during his stint with the Coyotes but has been a healthy scratch for the last four games. He returns to Tucson, where he has five goals and two assists (seven points) in six games.
Perunovich was the 2020 Hobey Baker Award Winner, posting 40 points (6G / 34A) in 34 games with the University of Minnesota-Duluth. He has absolutely dominated the AHL so far this season as well. As a defenseman, he's currently tied for the league-lead with 20 points (2G / 18A) in 12 games.
Sergachev has served his two-game suspension and will return to the Lightning lineup vs. the Panthers. Sergachev will replace Erik Cernak, who is week-to-week with an upper-body injury. Sergachev has scored two goals with four assists (six points) in 10 games this season.
