The Florida Panthers haven’t had the season they envisioned coming off back-to-back Stanley Cup championships. Injuries have taken a toll, and the Panthers currently sit second last in the Atlantic Division with a 25-19-3 record.
But on Saturday, head coach Paul Maurice delivered news that every Florida fan has been waiting to hear about Matthew Tkachuk’s return.
Florida Panthers Fans Get Good News as HC Updates Matthew Tkachuk’s Status
Tkachuk has yet to appear in a game this season after undergoing offseason surgery to repair a sports hernia and a torn abductor muscle. On Saturday morning, however, he took part in the Panthers’ skate, skating on a line with Mackie Samoskevich and Evan Rodrigues.
Maurice confirmed that progress afterward, saying, “He’s close. He’s getting pushed hard on the ice,” Maurice said. “He’s coming back. The recovery has been good. He hasn’t felt at a hundred percent, but the last two days he pushed hard, came back, felt good. So, I don’t think he’s very far away now.”
Shortly after, Tkachuk confirmed he will be in the lineup Monday night against the San Jose Sharks at Amerant Bank Arena after missing the first 47 games of the season. “It’s not like I can dip my toe … I told them, ‘I’m coming back, throw me in the fire. We need these points, that’s why I was only coming back at 100%. Just really excited,” Tkachuck said.
To make room on the roster, the Panthers assigned forward Noah Gregor to the AHL’s Charlotte Checkers.
Tkachuk’s injury issues date back to last February, when he tore an adductor muscle while playing for the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off. He missed the remainder of the regular season but managed to avoid surgery at the time, allowing him to play all 23 playoff games during Florida’s run to its second straight Stanley Cup.
Playing through the injury only worsened the issue, and after weighing his options throughout the offseason, Tkachuk ultimately chose to undergo extensive surgery in early August.
There was more positive news for Florida on Monday as well. Veteran forward Brad Marchand skated in a regular jersey during morning skate. He has missed the Panthers’ last five games with an undisclosed injury, and his return could further boost a lineup that has struggled to stay healthy.
With Tkachuk set to return and reinforcements potentially on the way, the Panthers may finally be getting the spark they need to climb back into the playoff picture.
