Canucks' Miller returning after 10-game absence for personal reasons

Vancouver Canucks forward J.T. Miller confirmed he'll be in the lineup Thursday night against the Florida Panthers after missing the past 10 games due to a personal leave of absence.

"I'm excited to play ... Fun game to play against the defending champions, so (I'm) just happy to be around the guys and looking forward to tonight," Miller told reporters.

Head coach Rick Tocchet was quick to praise Miller when asked about his return.

"He's one of the best players in the league, so when you get a guy back in the lineup like that, it means a lot," the bench boss said.

Vancouver announced Miller was going on an indefinite leave Nov. 19, and the club declined to elaborate. Miller had played in the Canucks' previous game and was benched for much of the third period of a loss.

Miller recorded 16 points in 17 games before taking time off. He set career highs with 37 goals and 103 points last season, helping the Canucks qualify for the playoffs and reach the second round.

Vancouver went 5-3-2 with Miller unavailable. The Canucks also got starting goaltender Thatcher Demko back from injury recently but are without top-pairing defenseman Filip Hronek for the foreseeable future.

The Canucks enter Thursday's tilt holding the second wild-card spot in the Western Conference.