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Markus Nutivaara News
Nutivaara (COVID-19 protocol) will travel on the Panthers' upcoming road-trip.

Nutivaara missed the first two games of the season due to COVID-19 protocol but will travel on the Panthers' upcoming trip to Columbus and Detroit. He skated on the "fourth pair" in Monday's practice, suggesting that his Panthers debut may not come until the second game of the trip, Thursday vs. his former team.

Markus Nutivaara
The Panthers have acquired Markus Nutivaara from the Blue Jackets for Cliff Pu.

Nutivaara has two years left at $2.7M AAV and should immediately slide into the Panthers' top-4. Nutivaara will likely replace Josh Brown, who was traded to Ottawa Keith Yandle's partner. He was in-and-out of the lineup in 2020, playing just 37games. Over the last three seasons, he's averaged seven goals and 18 assists (25 points) per 82 games, so there is some offence there.

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Nutivaara (upper-body) will not travel on the Blue Jackets' three-game road trip.

Nutivaara played just 5:20 TOI before leaving Tuesday's game vs. the Golden Knights with an upper-body injury. Nutivaara did not travel with the team which means he'll miss at least three games, putting Columbus down two regular defensemen. Scott Harrington is expected to draw-in and replaces Nutivaara on Thursday and Adam Clendening was recalled from AHL to serve as the No.7 defenseman.

Markus Nutivaara
Nutivaara (upper-body) will not play in Game 3.

Nutivaara absorbed a big hit from Nikita Kucherov towards the end of Game 2 (Kucherov was suspended one-game for the hit) and it will cost Nutivaara at least one game as well. Nutivaara was on the ice for warmups but was a late scratch, which suggests that he won't be out long term. Adam Clendening will replace him on the blueline.

Markus Nutivaara