Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk is continuing to work his way back from an adductor injury sustained during the 4-Nations Face-Off tournament in February. The injury ended Tkachuk’s regular season early, though he played through it for all 23 games of Florida’s run to the Stanley Cup. Now, Tkachuk is paying the price of a long-term injury, and faces the often uncomfortable question of whether to undergo surgery to address the ailment. Tkachuk told ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski that surgery would require him to miss the first two-or-three months of the regular season.
That’s a long time for Florida to be without one of their top scorers. Tkachuk finished the year ranked third on the team in points (57) even despite missing the last 30 games of the regular season. Luckily, the St. Louis-native has shown a consistent knack for being able to play through, and above, painful injuries. He tied for Florida’s scoring lead during the postseason, with eight goals and 23 points in as many games. It was an incredibly impressive performance, given Tkachuk entered the postseason having not played a game for three months.
That ability to bounce back to form could make a delayed start to the season a bit easier to stomach. Wyshynski emphasized previous reports that one of Tkachuk’s main goals for next season is to play for Team USA at the 2026 Winter Olympics. A few-month absence would put him back on the ice just weeks ahead of the NHL’s midseason break, and could provide a chance for 10-to-15 games worth of conditioning. That may be a short window for the average player, but Tkachuk’s ability to quickly jump back onto the scoresheet should only be emphasized on the international stage.
He scored three points in three games at the 4-Nations tournament, his first time representing America at a Men’s National tournament. Prior to that, Tkachuk managed 11 points in seven World Junior Championship games in 2016, 12 points in seven games at the World U18 Championship in 2015, and seven points in six games at the World U-17 Hockey Championship in 2014.
Around his spot appearances with Team USA, Tkachuk has managed a star-studded NHL career. He earned his first 100-point campaign in the 2021-22 season – netting 104 points in 82 games with the Calgary Flames – and then one-upped it with 109 points in 79 games with the Florida Panthers in the next season. Tkachuk was also rarely injured, averaging 74 games and 72 points per season before the 2024-25 campaign. Last year’s shortened season brought his career averages down to 71 points in 71 games each season.
That scoring precedent will make Tkachuk a must-include for the Olympic roster, should he be healthy in time for the tournament. He shared that he was “50/50” on undergoing surgery when the season came to a close, and has spent the off-season taking the time to ensure he’s making the right decision. If he does go under the knife, Florida could be due for a big boost of cap space through the first-half of the season.
Not sure how an injury like that heals without surgery, but I’m not a doctor either.
@Gbear — They didn’t do surgery on my busted ribs, collarbone, and back, either. This movement towards “natural” healing doesn’t always work to the patient’s benefit, and could take months longer than necessary. Walt Jr. #1 is luckier than most of us mortals, though, as he has better access to sports medicine professionals. You and I just get told to heal with heaps of positive thinking and pain meds, preferably the non-addictive kind. 😕
@Mac – After breaking my big toe 2 months ago, I fully know what you’re talking about. The only thing they did for me is send a bill for $277.00 for a walking boot that I didn’t need or use. Legalized criminality.
Not sure how an abducter muscle torn from the bone could reattach itself, but as you say, Walt Jr. isn’t limited to a PPO plan. :/
Hope you’re doing better!
@Gbear — Some of me is, just not the back part. They still won’t tell me how many stress fractures I have, probably due to mental health concerns. That’s understandable. Sorry to hear about your injury, too. After five months, I’m only now getting to the point of getting some relief in the lower back area with unique stretching exercises. So, we keep on keeping on, until training camp starts, eh? 😄
@Mac – So we have to start you out on LTIR for a few months? :D
If there’s a plus, you definately have met all your deductables by now. I’ve been fortunate to not have back issues, but I imagine it’s awful to deal with. :(
@Gbear — You said the evil magic word — “Deductibles”. I’m still fighting/wrestling with an alleged deductible-related charge by our hospital. I’ve had back pain my entire life, but this is by far the worst. You really have to be careful how you bend, and walk, as it is such an intense, stabbing pain, it can bring you to your knees. ☹️ I promise to be ready for the playoffs, though! Ahhh, the pain remedy known as Cap relief!