When might Matthew Tkachuk return to Panthers? Star winger updates timeline
Matthew Tkachuk stood in the Florida Panthers’ press box during the first intermission of Sunday’s home game against the Colorado Avalanche in gym clothes and a towel draped over his shoulders. He just finished a workout as part of his continued rehab, the same routine he has had all season while recovering from offseason surgery to repair a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia.
Sooner than later, Tkachuk hopes to actually be on the ice and helping the Panthers as they make a push for a third consecutive Stanley Cup.
He has made strides, from getting on the ice in early December to practicing with the team in no-contact sweaters since after the NHL’s Christmas break.
So when exactly might Tkachuk be back on the ice with the team?
“Every box that has had to be checked so far has been,” Tkachuk said. “I guess the last one before playing is taking off the no-contact jersey. We’ll have another few skates, a couple calls and figure it out from there. We’re feeling pretty good.”
Even if patience is wearing thin.
Tkachuk hasn’t played a game since the Panthers clinched their second consecutive Stanley Cup in Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers.
He had surgery in August for the injuries, which he sustained during the 4 Nations Face-Off in February and played through during the postseason where he averaged a point per game (23 points in 23 games) to help Florida repeat.
“Patience has been tested a lot,” Tkachuk said, “but I guess it’s kind of what I signed up for by making the decision late February, early March by riding it out and then ultimately knowing — I’m sure I lied, fibbed to you guys a few times in the spring, saying I probably won’t need surgery but I knew in the back of my mind that it was ultimately going to happen.”
Tkachuk said he won’t go on a conditioning stint to either AHL Charlotte or ECHL Savannah before returning — although Panthers captain Aleksander Barkov joked that he would fly the whole team to Savannah to see Tkachuk play there. He’ll join the Panthers on their upcoming road trip that starts Tuesday at Toronto, although he is not committing to returning during that six-game trip.
“Practices and the skates have been really tough so far,” Tkachuk said. “They’re way harder when it’s by yourself or just a few guys. So I’ve really been enjoying getting back with the full team.
“I’ve been going pretty hard for, I don’t even know, like over a month now, maybe a month and change by myself,” Tkachuk added. “So it’s been way easier to be out there with the guys, a lot more guys, [with] a little bit more rest. But yeah. You kind of forget what it’s like to have the stick on puck, or a body in the lane, or the quick two-on-one. We’re starting to mix in a little bit of pushing, but once guys are able to bump into me and hit me, that’ll feel more real.”
What’s also feeling real: The push to return before the Winter Olympics. The men’s hockey tournament in Milan starts on Feb. 11. Tkachuk wants to get at least a couple NHL games in before then, but the more the better.
“Worst-case scenario, I need a couple,” Tkachuk said, “but ideally, the way we’re going right now, I’ll get a few more than that.”
Whenever Tkachuk can return, it will be a boost for the Panthers. Florida has dealt with a slew of injuries all season and has had its depth tested since Opening Night.
Tkachuk, Barkov (torn ACL/MCL) and fourth-line center Tomas Nosek (knee) have not played all season. Veteran defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (shoulder) has played in just two games. Fourth-line winger Jonah Gadjovich (upper-body) has played in just 10 games.
And to add to it, top defenseman Seth Jones is now sidelined with an upper-body injury sustained Friday in the Winter Classic.
Through it all, the Panthers are 22-16-13 after beating the Avalanche 2-1 on Sunday and are still in the mix for a playoff spot in a tightly contested Eastern Conference halfway through the season.
“I don’t look at like they’re treading water. I think they’ve played some amazing hockey,” Tkachuk said. “It’s hard to do with so many guys out of the lineup. The depth has been tested, and they’ve passed the test. I mean what they’ve been able to do is been very impressive. There’s been some incredible performances from guys. There’s definitely some guys that have really, really stepped up.”
If Tkachuk has it his way, he’ll be one of those players stepping up in the not-too-distant future.
“Hopefully,” Tkachuk said, “it’s not too much longer before you see me out there with the boys.”
This story was originally published January 4, 2026 at 6:32 PM.
.JPG)