FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Matthew Tkachuk is back skating, although there is still no set date for his return to the Florida Panthers team. Tkachuk underwent surgery in August after spending much of the second half of last season, including Florida’s run to the Stanley Cup, dealing with a sports hernia and a tear in the adductor muscle. The player 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,” said Panthers coach Paul Maurice. “So, we’re taking it slowly.”
Paul MauriceThe Panthers have been operating under the premise that Tkachuk could return “around December”, which still makes sense. His return is expected to provide a big boost for an injury-hit team, which has been without its captain, Aleksander Barkov, after suffering a knee injury. Tkachuk spent the first weeks of the summer rehabilitating in the hope of avoiding surgery, but ultimately underwent the procedure immediately after his wedding and honeymoon in France. He skated twice last week and then met with doctors to establish the next phase of his plan. “I’m excited to get out there with the boys,” Tkachuk said. “I don’t know when it will be, but obviously I’m getting over that hurdle and hopefully it’s soon. Things are starting to go really well.” Maurice indicated that Tkachuk must meet several objectives before returning to the court. Tkachuk missed the last 25 games of the regular season last spring, but was able to play despite injuries for the Panthers when they won their second consecutive Stanley Cup. It also appears that Tkachuk is on track to participate with the United States hockey team in the Milan-Cortina Olympics in February. Tkachuk accumulated 23 points (eight goals and 15 assists) in 23 playoff games, including seven points in the Stanley Cup Final against Edmonton. The Panthers defeated the Oilers in six games.“I just have to get in shape and start feeling good and hopefully I can pick up where I left off, or even better,” Tkachuk said. “That’s the ideal plan.”
Matthew Tkachuk
