Overview

• EA Sports confirmed on August 4 that Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk will front the NHL 26 cover, with a full reveal set for August 6.
• Tkachuk is the first Panthers player to grace an EA NHL cover since goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck appeared on NHL 97.
• The 27-year-old two-time Stanley Cup champion has reached the Final in each of his three seasons with Florida and scored 23 points in 23 playoff games last season.
• NHL 26 is slated for release in September with a preview trailer set to drop on YouTube prior to launch.
• According to Sportsnet’s Nick Kypreos, offseason surgery for a torn adductor and sports hernia could keep him out through the Christmas period.