The Florida Panthers are currently $3.725 million over the salary cap and are considering the Matthew Tkachuk salary cap solution to address this issue before the start of the 2025-26 NHL season. The team faces major roster decisions to ensure compliance with league salary rules.
Options for managing salary cap pressure
In his July 23 Mailbag segment, analyst Dan Rosen outlined two primary approaches for the Panthers’ salary cap dilemma. One possibility is trading forward Evan Rodrigues, who holds a four-year contract worth $12 million, according to Spotrac. While Rodrigues brings valuable experience, his reported $3 million average annual value (AAV) might prompt the Panthers to consider moving him to clear cap space.
“Rodrigues certainly is a trade candidate, seeing that his contract has a reported $3 million AAV,” Rosen said. “There’s zero doubt here that teams will be inquiring about his availability. He’s a valuable, versatile and veteran player the Panthers do not take for granted.”
“Unfortunately, losing him might be the price Florida has to pay for re-signing Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, Brad Marchand and Tomas Nosek.”
The other option involves placing Matthew Tkachuk on Long-Term Injury Reserve (LTIR). Tkachuk battled through serious injuries last season, including a torn adductor muscle and a sports hernia, yet he played in all 23 playoff games and ended as one of the team’s top point-getters. His injuries may require surgery and an extended recovery period, making LTIR a potential temporary salary cap fix.
“The other side of that is Tkachuk and the potential for a stint on LTIR…” Rosen said.
LTIR provides short-term relief by removing Tkachuk’s cap hit during his absence. However, once he returns, Florida will need to be cap-compliant again, meaning the team will eventually have to resolve the overage. Rosen highlighted this challenge, noting that using LTIR merely postpones difficult decisions.
“When he comes back they have to have the cap space to add him,” Rosen said. “But an LTIR stint for Tkachuk would allow Florida to put the issue down the road a bit. The price for that is not having Tkachuk.”
Matthew Tkachuk’s gratitude and community engagement
Matthew Tkachuk has been instrumental in the Panthers’ success, helping the team reach three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals and winning in 2023 and 2024. He expressed deep appreciation for the medical staff who supported his ability to perform despite injury setbacks.
“I wouldn’t be here without the trainers and the doctors and those people, …” Tkachuk said, NHL.com. “This Cup is because of them for me, and I’m so lucky.”
Recently, Tkachuk celebrated his championship by spending time in his hometown of St. Louis, visiting a children’s hospital and stopping by the Brentwood police and fire departments. He also shared special moments with family and friends during the festivities, marking the occasion as memorable and meaningful.
Implications for the Panthers’ upcoming season
The Panthers’ salary cap situation poses a critical obstacle as they prepare for the 2025-26 season. Deciding between trading Rodrigues or temporarily placing Tkachuk on LTIR will significantly influence the team’s roster stability and depth. Each path carries trade-offs involving player availability and financial flexibility.
Securing cap compliance is essential for the Panthers to maintain their championship-contending roster, including core players like Aaron Ekblad, Sam Bennett, Brad Marchand, and Tomas Nosek. How Florida manages these challenges will shape their competitiveness in the NHL’s upcoming campaigns.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Why did Matthew Tkachuk leave the game?
A. MONTREAL (AP) — In the 4 Nations Face-Off, Matthew Tkachuk exited the U.S. game against Canada due to a lower-body injury. Coach Mike Sullivan confirmed the injury but did not provide further details after the U.S.’s 3-1 win. “Our doctors are examining him,” Sullivan stated. “That’s all the information I have.”