Buffalo forward Nicolas Aube-Kubel, who had been sidelined since sustaining a lower-body injury in the season opener on Oct. 4, returned Monday night in a 5-2 loss to the visiting Florida Panthers.
Aube-Kubel, 28, has been practicing since Oct. 22, and in Sunday's session he skated at left wing with center Dylan Cozens and right wing Jack Quinn. He logged over seven minutes of action against Florida.
"We took a look at it," Ruff said Sunday of placing Aube-Kubel on that line. "I don't know if we're convinced we're going to use it, but that was what we wanted to see today. (He brings) speed, one of the strongest guys we have on the puck. Was really playing well (before) his injury. It could be a look. That Panthers team is hard, they're heavy, physical. It could create a little bit more forecheck pressure for us."
Aube-Kubel was expected to be out three to six weeks since sustaining the injury in a 4-1 loss to the New Jersey Devils in the first game of the 2024 NHL Global Series Czechia. He was trying to hit Devils defenseman Jonathan Kovacevic, but they got their skates intertwined, forcing Aube-Kubel's leg to turn awkwardly.
The Sabres signed the free agent to a one-year contract in July. He had two penalty minutes in the season opener. Last season, he recorded six goals and 10 assists with a plus-4 rating and 159 hits in 60 games with the Washington Capitals.
Philadelphia drafted Aube-Kubel in the second round in 2014. He has 31 goals, 47 assists, a plus-15 rating, 185 penalty minutes and 635 hits in 283 games with the Flyers (2018-21), Colorado Avalanche (2021-22), Toronto Maple Leafs (2022), Capitals (2022-23) and Sabres. He won a Stanley Cup with the Avalanche in 2022.
Information from Field Level Media was used in this report.