Alexei Kovalev didn't end up missing any playing time due to the flu. Kovalev skipped Friday's practice because of the illness. He had a minus-one rating and two blocked shots in 17:33 minutes of playing time in Florida's 4-3 victory.

Alexei Kovalev returned to action on Sunday February 3.

Alexei Kovalev is expected to play Sunday against Buffalo. He missed practice Friday with the flu but should be good to go Sunday afternoon. Leave Kovalev active if you need him.

Alexei Kovalev didn't practice on Friday due to the flu. The Panthers don't play until Sunday, so Kovalev still has a fair amount of time to recover. All the same, we'll list him as day-to-day for now.

Alexei Kovalev scored his first goal Thursday since the Florida Panthers' season opener. While Kovalev has lagged, so has seemingly the entire Panthers' offense. While the return of top center Stephen Weiss (groin) will likely help the Panthers and Kovalev, we expect a lot of stops and starts in Kovalev's return to the NHL. Owners who took a chance on the aging winger will want to keep that in mind this season.

Alexei Kovalev skated with the top line during Thursday's morning skate. He'll try to snap Tomas Fleischmann and Stephen Weiss out of their mini-slumps. Tomas Kopecky took Kovalev's spot on the Panthers' second line with Peter Mueller and Jonathan Huberdeau. Kovalev opened the season with a goal and two assists, but he has been held without a point in the team's past two games.

Alexei Kovalev made his return to Ottawa on Monday and on Tuesday he'll be back on the ice in Montreal against the Canadiens. Kovalev played with the Senators after skating with Montreal for four whole seasons. He should get a nice welcome back from the Canadiens' faithful unlike in Ottawa, where he was booed throughout the contest. He opened the season with one goal and two assists in his Panthers debut but was shutout, along with his teammates, by the Senators on Monday in a 4-0 defeat. Don't be surprised if his comeback season in the NHL includes plenty of hot and cold streaks.

Alexei Kovalev will get a wonderful opportunity with Florida as he will start the season on the team's second line. He will skate with the talented Peter Mueller and wunderkind Jonathan Huberdeau on a potentially potent second unit. Does the 39-year-old have anything left in the tank? That is the million dollar question. We say if you are in a deep pool take a chance on Kovalev as your last pick.

Alexei Kovalev has inked a one-year/$1 million contract with the Florida Panthers. Kovalev will be able to earn more if by earning games played-related bonuses. He had six points and 16 penalty minutes in 22 KHL games with Moscow Oblast Atlant last season. He joined the Panthers training camp on a tryout basis and managed to earn a roster spot through that.

Alexei Kovalev said he spoke with the Panthers before the 2011-12 season about playing with the organization. He was apparently offered a tryout deal by GM Dale Tallon, but for whatever reason it didn't work out. "The situation changed a little bit and I couldn't wait anymore so I went to Russia," said Kovalev. "I guess the offer still stands and they decided I could come back. I want to get back in the NHL. They're going to give me a chance, see how things go." He said he is fully recovered from a knee injury that bothered him in 2011-12 when he played briefly in the KHL and he is ready to compete in the NHL's abbreviated season this year.