The Florida Panthers appear to be getting some good news as one of their two best players was on the ice on Sunday. Matthew Tkachuk could be nearing a return to NHL action, although a timeline on when he could be back remains unknown.
Tkachuk took part in a team practice while wearing a yellow non-contact jersey. It is another step forward in his recovery from a long-term injury that some feared would keep him out for most of the 2025/26 season. Team reporter Katie Engleson shared some images of the superstar winger in action on X (formerly Twitter).
Tkachuk has yet to play this season after undergoing surgery this summer to repair a sports hernia and a torn adductor muscle — injuries that sidelined him for part of last regular season before fighting through them in the playoffs en route to winning a second straight Stanley Cup.
Injuries are nothing new for Tkachuk. He is coming off an injury-riddled 2024-25 season in which he scored 57 points (22 goals, 35 assists) in just 52 games. He has been more than open about his journey this season, talking about his recovery on his new podcast with brother Brady. The hope is that Matthew will be ready before the season ends and in time to join Team USA at the Olympics.
He is in the fourth year of the eight-year, $76 million extension he signed with the Panthers after being traded from Calgary in the summer of 2022.
When could Matthew Tkachuk return?
No return date has been set yet, but there is speculation that Tkachuk will push for a season debut in this Friday’s Winter Classic against the New York Rangers. That would add a huge storyline to that game.
With Florida currently clinging to the final wild card spot in the Eastern Conference, the Panthers could use the boost. They are also awaiting an injury update from captain Aleksander Barkov, who has not played this season due to a torn ACL suffered during training camp.
A healthy Tkachuk – and possibly Barkov – is a scary proposition for the rest of the NHL, and the thought of a three-peat, which no one should have ruled out in the first place, suddenly feels very real.
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