Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk is likely to miss a substantial portion of the upcoming NHL season due to lingering issues from an injury sustained last year. According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, Tkachuk’s recovery could take between three to five months, which may involve surgery and a rehab period that pushes his return to as late as March.
Seravalli stated,
I’d say we’re probably not gonna see Matthew Tkachuk for three to five months,
highlighting the severity and uncertainty surrounding the timeline for his return. This prolonged absence would also exclude Tkachuk from participating in the 2026 Winter Olympics, creating a setback for USA Hockey’s team plans.
Possible Cap Relief from Long-Term Injured Reserve
On Friday, Tkachuk shared with ESPN his hopes to resume skating soon but acknowledged the possibility of surgery, which could sideline him for two to three months if performed. He said,
I’m still hoping to hit the ice as soon as possible. If I do get the surgery, it definitely will be the first two, maybe three months [of the season] if that’s the case. But it’s still undecided at this point.
Last season, the 27-year-old contributed significantly to the Panthers, recording 57 points in 52 regular-season games along with 23 additional points throughout the playoffs, helping Florida secure a second straight Stanley Cup championship. Despite his absence posing a challenge, the Panthers could place Tkachuk on long-term injured reserve (LTIR), which would exempt his $9.5 million salary cap hit from counting against the team’s salary cap.
Currently $3.725 million over the cap, Florida could benefit from this flexibility by acquiring high-impact players through trades to strengthen their roster for another serious playoff run.
Division Rivals See Opportunity Amid Tkachuk’s Unavailability
The Carolina Panthers’ rivals in the Atlantic Division are keenly aware that Tkachuk’s absence opens the door to narrow the gap with the defending champions. Teams such as the Toronto Maple Leafs, Tampa Bay Lightning, and Ottawa Senators are likely to accelerate efforts to improve their standings while Florida copes without one of its key contributors.
Although Toronto finished first in the division last season with 108 points, Tampa Bay was close behind at 102, and Ottawa ranked fourth with 97 points, it was Florida with 98 points who ultimately prevailed by winning the Stanley Cup. The Panthers’ ability to defend their championship without Tkachuk will be closely watched, as rivals look to gain an edge in the race for the Stanley Cup Final.
Implications for the Season Ahead
Matthew Tkachuk’s injury presents significant challenges for the Panthers as they begin the season without one of their top forwards. However, the team’s potential use of LTIR could create opportunities to strengthen the roster midseason. Meanwhile, Atlantic Division contenders are motivated to take advantage of this situation to improve their playoff positioning and challenge Florida’s hold on the Stanley Cup.