FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – Matthew Tkachuk is back skating, although there is still no set date for his return to the ice 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 the Stanley Cup. The player himself shared the news on the “Wingmen” podcast, which he co-hosts with his brother, Brady Tkachuk of the Ottawa Senators. It still needs a bit more, but it’s already back on the ice, something that hadn’t happened two weeks ago. We’re taking it easy. The Panthers have estimated that Tkachuk could return “around December”, which is still a possibility. His return would be a big boost for an injury-hit team, which has also missed captain Aleksander Barkov, who suffered a torn ACL in training camp.
Tkachuk spent the first weeks of the summer in rehabilitation hoping to avoid 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 plan the next phase.
Coach Maurice mentioned that Tkachuk has several goals to achieve in his recovery. Tkachuk missed the last 25 games of the regular season last spring, but managed to play with the Panthers during their run to the Stanley Cup. It appears that Tkachuk could be ready to participate with USA Hockey in 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, whom the Panthers defeated in six games.I’m excited to be back with my teammates. I don’t know when it will be, but I’m overcoming this obstacle and I hope it’s soon. Things are getting much better.
Matthew Tkachuk
I just have to speed up and feel good, and I hope to continue where I left off, or even improve. That’s the ideal plan.
Matthew Tkachuk
