Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk might miss the start of next season, as he weighs a tough decision about surgery that could sideline him for up to three months.
“It’s really 50/50 right now,” Tkachuk told ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski about the potential procedure.
The 26-year-old forward is dealing with a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia – injuries he picked up while playing for Team USA in February’s 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.
These injuries forced him to sit out the final 25 games of the regular season.
But you’d never know he was hurting during Florida’s incredible Stanley Cup run. Tkachuk came back strong for Game 1 against Tampa Bay and went on to rack up 23 points in the playoffs, including seven crucial points during the Finals against Edmonton.
“If I do get the surgery, it’ll definitely be the first two or maybe three months if that’s the case,” Tkachuk explained. “But it’s still undecided at this point.”
The timing couldn’t be more challenging for the Panthers, who just made history by winning their second straight Cup. They’re looking to become the first team since the early 1980s Islanders to win three in a row.
Florida’s front office has been busy this summer, locking up key pieces for another championship push. They’ve signed Sam Bennett to an eight-year, $64 million deal, Aaron Ekblad for eight years at $48 million, and grabbed veteran Brad Marchand on a six-year contract worth $31.5 million.
Tkachuk has been worth every penny since coming over from Calgary in last year’s blockbuster trade. His potential absence from the top six would leave a huge hole in the Panthers’ lineup as they chase that historic third straight title.
