The Czech Extraliga's Vitkovice Steel has announced the departure of Florida defenseman Filip Kuba on their website. He said he is returning to North America for family reasons and he is hopeful that the NHL could return to action soon. Kuba said he would head back to Vitkovice if the lockout cancels the remainder of the 2012-13 campaign. He had four assists in 11 games prior to his departure.

Filip Kuba has agreed to terms with HC V¡tkovice Steel. HC V¡tkovice Steel plays in the Czech Extraliga. Kuba was also a member of their team before he made the jump to North American hockey in 1996-97. Kuba inked a two-year/$8 million deal with Florida in July.

Filip Kuba has inked a two-year, $8 million contract with the Panthers, the team that drafted him in 1995. Well that really closes the door on a Jason Garrison return to the Sunshine State. Provided he can stay healthy, Kuba is a nice addition to the Florida blueline. However, with Brian Campbell and Dmitry Kulikov ahead of him on the power-play depth chart, his offensive contributions could be limited. We think 30 points is his top end for 2012-13.

The Ottawa Senators appear to be content to allow defenseman Filip Kuba to walk as an unrestricted free agent on July 1. "I think we're moving on," GM Bryan Murray said. "I haven't heard from him. I talked to his agent (Rich Evans) before the year ended and told him sort of the thoughts I had, about what we might consider and I haven't heard back." He made $3.7 million in 2011-12 and the Senators would like him to sign for less to remain with their organization. The veteran blueliner enjoyed a solid year with 32 points, 149 blocks and a plus-26 rating, while riding shotgun alongside an emerging star in Erik Karlsson.

The Ottawa Senators' 2-1 victory over the Montreal Canadiens Friday night allowed them to leapfrog a point ahead of the Boston Bruins, vaulting them all the way to second in the Conference as the divisional leader, but defenseman Filip Kuba has a message for his teammates. "It feels great, obviously, to lead the division, but it was hard for us to get there and it's going to be even harder to stay there," said Kuba, who scored the game-winning goal in overtime Friday night. "We know we've still got 10 games left in the regular season, so it's pretty important for us to play strong and finish the season hard and that's our biggest focus."

Filip Kuba scored the game-winning goal in Ottawa's 2-1 overtime victory Friday night. Colin Greening netted the Senators' other goal. Erik Condra, Zack Smith, Daniel Alfredsson, and Erik Karlsson each registered an assist for Ottawa.

Ottawa GM Bryan Murray isn't likely to part with pending unrestricted free agent Filip Kuba prior to the NHL trade deadline on Feb. 27. "I think he's one of our best defensemen, if not the steadiest guy at this point and time," Murray said. "He's played penalty killing, power play, has been Erik Karlsson's partner, plays a lot of minutes, has great respect on the team, I'm not sure why his name has ever come but at this time . . . unless I got something awfully, awfully good, it wouldn't do us any service to not keep him here." Kuba had an awful year in 2010-11, but he has rebounded well this season with 22 points and a plus-18 rating in 52 contests. The Senators may still allow him to walk away in the summer though in order to further the development of their younger players.

Filip Kuba's third goal of the season in Friday's overtime loss to Carolina was the 300th point of his NHL career. The 34-year-old blueliner has been much better this year for the Senators than he was in 2010-11. Kuba has nine points in 27 contests this campaign, but the real improvement comes in the way of his plus-7 rating. He had a brutal minus-26 rating over 64 appearances last season.

Filip Kuba (shoulder) will return on Tuesday. Between Kuba and Sergei Gonchar, who will also return Tuesday, the Ottawa Senators are getting a huge boost in their game against their division rivals, the Buffalo Sabres. Kuba has eight points and 52 blocked shots in 24 games this season.

Filip Kuba (shoulder) took part in the Senators' skate on Friday. Senators coach Paul MacLean is hoping that Kuba will be available on Tuesday. Kuba will miss his ninth straight game Friday.