Panthers’ Tkachuk Skates: When Does the NHL Star Return?

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Matthew Tkachuk is back skating, although there is still no set date for his season debut with the Florida Panthers. Tkachuk underwent surgery in August after dealing with a sports hernia and a torn adductor during the second half of last season, including Florida’s run to their second consecutive Stanley Cup. The player himself shared this information on the “Wingmen” podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother Brady Tkachuk.

He still has a ways to go, but he’s back on the ice and he wasn’t two weeks ago. So we’re taking it easy.

Paul Maurice, Panthers coach

The Panthers have been operating under the premise that Tkachuk could return “around December”, which still makes sense. His return would provide a big boost for an injury-hit team, which has also missed captain Aleksander Barkov, who suffered a torn ACL in his first preseason training. Tkachuk spent the first weeks of the summer rehabilitating with the hope of avoiding surgery, but ultimately underwent the procedure immediately after his wedding and honeymoon in France. He skated twice last week, “the first time I’ve put on skates, seriously, since Game 6” of the Stanley Cup Final, in his own words, and then met with doctors to establish the next phase of his plan.

I’m excited to hang out with the guys. I don’t know when it will be, but obviously I’m getting over that hurdle and the sooner, the better. It’s starting to go really, really well.

Matthew Tkachuk

Maurice pointed out that Tkachuk must achieve several goals in his recovery. Tkachuk missed the last 25 games of the regular season last spring, but was able to play despite injuries for the Panthers, who won their second consecutive Stanley Cup. It also appears that Tkachuk could be ready to join the USA Hockey team at the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February. In 23 playoff games, he accumulated 23 points (8 goals, 15 assists), including seven points in the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers. The Panthers defeated the Oilers in six games.

I just have to speed up and start feeling good, and I think, hopefully, I’ll pick up where I left off, or even better. That’s the ideal plan.

Matthew Tkachuk