SUNRISE, Fla. — Matthew Tkachuk is eager to get back on the ice with the Florida Panthers. While he doesn’t have a set return date, he feels it’s getting closer.
The Panthers are about to embark on a six-game road trip, starting Tuesday against the Toronto Maple Leafs. “This will be my first road trip of the year,” he shared during a recent game against the Colorado Avalanche. “I might return toward the end of the trip, but I’m still in a non-contact jersey.”
Tkachuk has been sidelined this season after surgery on his adductor muscle and a sports hernia back in August. He’s been skating in practice but needs full-contact sessions before he can play again. “I’m starting to feel more like myself,” he said. “It’s good to be back with the guys.”
His injury resulted from a game in February when he was playing for Team USA. Tkachuk missed the last 25 games of the regular season but returned for the playoffs, helping the Panthers win the Stanley Cup. He played all 23 playoff games and was a key player, tying for the team lead with 23 points—eight goals and 15 assists.
Reflecting on that time, he admitted he wasn’t entirely honest about his health. “I probably fibbed a bit about how I was feeling,” he said. “But I wouldn’t change my decision to wait for surgery if it meant contributing to the team’s success.”
With injuries piling up, Tkachuk’s return would be a big boost for the Panthers. Currently, they are 22-16-3 and have shown improvement with a 10-4-2 record in their last 16 games. Besides Tkachuk, captain Aleksander Barkov and several other players are also recovering from injuries.
Interestingly, injury trends have been a hot topic lately in the NHL. A report from a recent survey indicated that teams with multiple long-term injuries struggle significantly, often affecting their playoff chances. Tkachuk’s situation highlights the fine balance NHL players try to maintain between health and performance.
Coach Paul Maurice noted the positive impact of having Tkachuk around, even if he’s not fully back yet. “It’s good for the team to see him moving. There’s more energy and chatter in practice, and that’s important,” Maurice said.
Tkachuk also keeps his eyes on upcoming competitions, including the Olympics in Milan-Cortina 2026. “I’m a Florida Panther now, but I’ll also represent Team USA. It’s an exciting time,” he stated with enthusiasm.
As Tkachuk continues his rehabilitation, fans and teammates alike are hopeful for his swift return. His presence on the ice is greatly missed, and the Panthers are counting down the days until he’s back with the squad.
