Overview

• Tkachuk remains undecided on surgery after revealing he played through a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia sustained with Team USA in February.
• He cautioned that a procedure could cost him two to three months of the 2025-26 campaign, risking a return around the end of the calendar year.
• Despite missing the final 25 regular-season games, Tkachuk delivered 23 points in 23 playoff contests to power the Panthers to a second consecutive Stanley Cup.
• Florida fortified its championship core this summer by re-signing key veterans Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand under tight salary-cap constraints.
• Matthew and brother Brady have secured spots on the U.S. Olympic hockey roster for the Winter Games in Italy next year.