Florida Panthers star Forward Matthew Tkachuk is out until December after undergoing surgery this offseason. General Manager Bill Zito announced that Tkachuk sustained a sports hernia and a torn abductor muscle during the 4 Nations Tournament. Can the Florida Panthers do a 3-peat without Tkachuk?
Florida Panthers Without Tkachuk Until December
Matthew Tkachuk had surgery in late August. He will miss the start of the season, but Florida Panthers reporter Jessica Blaylock said it’s a hopeful timetable. Tkachuk missed the final 25 games of the regular season due to injuries, but he was on the ice for the playoffs as Florida successfully defended its title. He posted eight goals and 15 assists in the postseason, tying Sam Reinhart and Carter Verhaeghe for the team lead in points (23).
However, General Manager Bill Guerin of the USA Men’s hockey team for the 2026 Olympic Games also announced that Tkachuk will be on the roster and playing for Team USA in February 2026. This is the first time NHL players have participated in the Winter Olympics since Sochi 2014.
Matthew Tkachuk and his brother Brady Tkachuk were among the first six players revealed on the USA roster, along with Jack Eichel, Auston Matthews, Quinn Hughes, and Charlie McAvoy.
Florida Panthers On the Hunt For a Three-Peat
The Florida Panthers will start the NHL season and raise the banner on Oct 7 at 5 p.m. at Amerant Bank Arena against the Chicago Blackhawks. They will be without Matthew Tkachuk at the start of the season, but the Panthers have a bunch of depth in their four lines that they will be able to manage without him until December.
