Tkachuk Evaluates Possible Surgery and its Impact on Next Season
Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk is at a crucial juncture, debating the possibility of undergoing surgery before the start of the 2025-26 season. Although he has not yet made a definitive decision, Tkachuk acknowledges that surgical intervention could result in a prolonged absence from the ice. Tkachuk, 27, revealed that during the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament in February, he suffered an adductor muscle injury and a sports hernia. These injuries kept him out of the last 25 games of the NHL regular season. However, he managed to return for the first game of the playoff series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. In the playoffs, Tkachuk proved his worth by accumulating 23 points (8 goals and 15 assists) in 23 games, including seven points in the final against Edmonton, leading the Panthers to their second consecutive Stanley Cup championship.After the season, Tkachuk indicated that the chances of undergoing surgery were 50/50, and that the rest period would give him time to make a decision. Currently, Tkachuk hopes to return to the ice as soon as possible. If he opts for surgery, it is estimated that he could miss several months of competition.“We weren’t optimistic at the beginning that he could survive the first round”.
Paul Maurice, Panthers Coach
This summer has been significant for Tkachuk, who will appear on the cover of EA Sports’ NHL 26 game, alongside his brother Brady and his father Keith in the deluxe edition of the game. In addition, Matthew and Brady Tkachuk were selected among the first six players for the United States men’s hockey team at the 2026 Winter Olympics in Italy. This is in addition to his marriage to Ellie Connell in July, following an epic multi-day Stanley Cup celebration in Fort Lauderdale and Miami. The Panthers’ aspirations of securing their third consecutive Stanley Cup title were reinforced this summer with the contract renewals of three key players: Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad, and Brad Marchand. Tkachuk expressed his surprise at general manager Bill Zito’s ability to secure these renewals under the salary cap.“If I have surgery, it will definitely be the first two or maybe three months if that’s the case. But it’s still undecided,” Tkachuk said.
Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers Player
Tkachuk expressed confidence that Ekblad would remain on the team, and expressed some initial uncertainty about Bennett and Marchand, who had the possibility of obtaining lucrative contracts in free agency. Tkachuk highlighted the importance of stability and team success in keeping his key players in Florida.“I thought that, because of how the money was, you didn’t know if it was going to be possible, and somehow it was. Everyone was taken very good care of, and Bill did a great job of making sure it happened. I think everyone was rewarded very well, and I’m very excited to have the opportunity to, hopefully, repeat with them this year,” commented Tkachuk.
Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers Player
