Tkachuk (groin) won't be an option for Florida until the postseason after general manager Bill Zito told reporters Monday, "Matthew's going to be out for an extended period of time. We hope to get him back for the playoffs," per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Tkachuk was already designated for long-term injured reserve, but this update further cements the fact that the winger won't be seeing any more regular-season action. It will be the first time the 27-year-old Arizona native will miss the 60-point threshold since the 2020-21 campaign. Don't be surprised to see the Panthers take advantage of the $9.5 million in LTIR cap relief ahead of Friday's trade deadline.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Shifts to LTIR
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Tkachuk (groin) was placed on long-term injured reserve Sunday, per PuckPedia.
Tkachuk has missed the last four games after being injured during the 4 Nations Face-Off. It remains unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup, though he will be out for at least 10 games and 24 days after going on LTIR. Tkachuk has generated 22 goals, 57 points, 156 shots on net, 84 hits and 54 PIM through 52 appearances this season. Due to Tkachuk's absence, Evan Rodrigues and Mackie Samoskevich have been occupying top-six roles. The Panthers recalled Chris Driedger from AHL Charlotte in a corresponding move to occupy the backup role behind Sergei Bobrovsky after trading Spencer Knight to Chicago on Saturday for Seth Jones.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Not playing Thursday
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Tkachuk (groin) has been ruled out of Thursday's contest against the Oilers, Colby Guy of The Palm Beach Post reports.
There was no update in Tkachuk's status, though head coach Paul Maurice did state that his star 27-year-old winger was out "near-term" rather than long-term. Tkachuk had been white-hot before the 4 Nations Face-Off break with eight goals and eight assists across eight games. Overall, he has 22 goals, 35 assists, 23 power-play points, 156 shots on goal and 84 hits across 52 appearances this season.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Ruled out Tuesday
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Tkachuk (groin) continues to be evaluated but won't face the Predators on Tuesday after head coach Paul Maurice told reporters, "He saw some people over the weekend. Going to wait a few more days, get a couple more looks...we don't want to be giving out reports every second day that aren't confirmed. So we'll wait on that for a few more days," per Katie Engleson of Scripps Sports.
The fact that Tkachuk is seeing multiple doctors regarding his groin injury doesn't bode well for a quick return to the lineup. Still, until the Panthers provide a clear update on his timeline, fantasy players will have to take a wait-and-see approach. Prior to his absence, the 27-year-old winger was rolling with 16 points in his last eight outings, including three goals and two assists with the man advantage.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Likely to miss time
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Tkachuk -- who is reportedly dealing with a groin problem -- is expected to be sidelined long term but will suit up again this year, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports Monday.
While the Panthers haven't offered a specific timeline, fantasy managers probably shouldn't expect Tkachuk back on the ice until sometime in March. Given that prognosis, it seems almost certain the 27-year-old winger will be designated for injured reserve. If the Scottsdale native is out until the postseason, it could free up significant cap space for Florida ahead of the trade deadline as well, if the team elects to put him on long-term injured reserve.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Doubtful for Saturday
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Head coach Paul Maurice said Friday that Tkachuk (lower body) is unlikely to play versus Seattle on Saturday, Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site reports.
Tkachuk sat out the third period and overtime in Canada's 3-2 victory over the United States in the 4 Nations Face-Off on Thursday. Tkachuk has 22 goals, 35 assists, 156 shots on goal and 84 hits across 52 games this season. He should be considered day-to-day for now, and he could return as early Tuesday in Nashville.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Still hampered by lower-body issue
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Tkachuk's lower-body injury prevented him from playing in the third period and overtime of Thursday's game versus Team Canada, Michael Russo of The Athletic reports.
Nothing official from Team USA was revealed, but in an interview with Tkachuk's brother, Brady Tkachuk, it appears the 27-year-old Florida winger could miss time. More information should be known once he returns to the Panthers for a more thorough evaluation, but there is a clear risk of Tkachuk being out of action during the playoff race that fantasy managers should be preparing for.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Should be ready by Thursday
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Tkachuk (lower body) is expected to be available for Thursday's 4 Nations Face-Off Final against Team Canada, per Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet on Tuesday.
Tkachuk did not suit up for Team USA's 2-1 loss to Sweden on Monday. The star winger's availability, along with Brady Tkachuk (lower body) and Auston Matthews (upper body), will be key components to potential success for the Americans. Tkachuk has potted two goals and added a helper through two games in the tournament.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Ruled out Monday
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Tkachuk (lower body) will not be in the lineup for Team USA against Sweden on Monday, Dan Rosen of NHL.com reports.
Tkachuk was limited to just 11:10 of ice time against Canada on Saturday -- though part of that was the result of him spending five minutes in the penalty box after dropping the gloves with Brandon Hagel. With Tkachuk out Monday, Chris Kreider will finally get his chance to suit up for Team USA. According to brother Brady Tkachuk, Matthew is expected to be ready to play in Thursday's 4 Nations Final, Amalie Benjamin of NHL.com reports.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Still being evaluated
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Tkachuk (lower body) is being evaluated ahead of Monday's 4 Nations Face-Off game versus Sweden, Elliotte Friedman of Sportsnet reports Sunday.
Tkachuk missed most of the third period in Saturday's 3-1 win over Canada. It's unclear if he will play versus Sweden, and he could sit out the matchup because Team USA has already clinched a spot in Thursday's championship game. Tkachuk has two goals and one assist through two outings at the 4 Nations Face-Off.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Suffers lower-body injury
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Tkachuk sustained a lower-body injury in Saturday's 3-1 victory over Canada, coach Mike Sullivan told Dan Rosen of NHL.com.
Tkachuk appeared to sustain the injury in the third period. His assessment of the situation is more optimistic -- he claimed after the game that whatever was bothering him was "no concern at all," per Mollie Walker of the New York Post. Despite Tkachuk's statement, Sullivan isn't sure if the 27-year-old forward will play Monday versus Sweden. Team USA has already earned a spot in Thursday's championship for the 4 Nations Face-Off, so Tkachuk could sit out Monday's matchup for rest, especially if he is anything less than 100 percent.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Best player on ice in USA win
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Tkachuk had two goals, one assist and eight shots in a 6-1 Team USA win over Finland on Thursday in Montreal.
Both goals came on the power play, and he and brother Brady Tkachuk looked fantastic when they were united on a line in the middle of the game. Matthew Tkachuk was named the Player-of-the-Game for his performance. He came into the game on a high -- he was riding a six-game goal streak with 13 points (seven goals, six assists) dating back to Jan. 29. Next up, it's Team Canada on Saturday night.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Goal streak at six games
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Tkachuk scored a goal and assisted on two others in a 5-1 win over Ottawa on Saturday.
Tkachuk fired a team-high eight shots, but his brother Brady Tkachuk took the game crown with 11. Still, the Floridian brother clearly won the battle. Tkachuk extended his goal streak to six games (seven goals, six assists), and he has 22 goals, 35 assists and 156 shots this season. Thirty of those shots have come over his last six outings. Tkachuk will represent the United States, along with Brady, in 4 Nations Face-Off, which starts Feb. 12.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Showcases three points
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Tkachuk scored two goals, including the game-winner, dished an assist and added seven shots on net in Thursday's 3-2 win over the Blues.
With just 12 seconds remaining, Tkachuk redirected Sam Reinhart's shot attempt past Joel Hofer to seal the win. His other goal came on the power play in Thursday's first period. Overall, the 27-year-old winger is up to 21 goals, 33 assists, 54 points, 148 shots on net, and 83 hits in 51 games this season. In his last seven outings, Tkachuk has 13 points with seven goals. Over that stretch, he is tied for the league lead in points with Boston's David Pastrnak. His slow start on offense may keep him from replicating his career high of 109 points from two seasons ago, but his fantasy value ranks in an elite tier for the time being.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Lights lamp in loss
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Tkachuk scored a goal on two shots, added five hits and went minus-2 in Tuesday's 6-3 loss to the Capitals.
Tkachuk scored for the fifth time in six games, a span in which he's also racked up five assists. The winger's tally brought the Panthers back within a goal in the third period. He was cold over a month-long stretch between Dec. 20 and Jan. 22, during which he had a goal and seven helpers, but he's making up for lost time now. Overall, Tkachuk has 19 goals, 51 points, 141 shots on net, 82 hits, 54 PIM and a minus-7 rating over 50 outings.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Posts two points in win
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Tkachuk scored a goal, provided a helper and took six shots on net in Sunday's 6-3 win over the Islanders.
Both of Tkachuk's points came in the third period. He helped fellow winger Carter Verhaeghe complete his hat trick, then Tkachuk scored his own tally into an empty net. The 27-year-old eclipsed the 50-point mark on the season and has 18 goals, 32 assists, 139 shots on net and 77 hits across 49 games. Tkachuk has four goals and nine points over his last five games and remains an elite fantasy option.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Scores in Saturday's win
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Tkachuk scored a goal on five shots in Saturday's 5-1 win over the Blackhawks.
Tkachuk has three goals and four assists over his last four contests as his offense has roared back to life. The 27-year-old has oddly gone without a hit in six of his last seven contests, but fantasy managers won't mind him sacrificing physicality for offense. The winger is up to 17 goals, 48 points, 133 shots on net, 76 hits, 54 PIM and a minus-6 rating through 48 appearances.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Carries offense in Wednesday's win
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Tkachuk scored an empty-net goal and added two assists, one on the power play, in Wednesday's 3-0 win over the Kings.
It's the second time in the last three games Tkachuk has racked up three points, and Wednesday's helper with the man advantage gives him 20-plus power-play points for the fourth straight campaign and the fifth time in his career. The 27-year-old has had a roller-coaster season so far, and over his prior 14 contests he'd managed just one goal and six points, but he may be catching fire again. Through 47 appearances in 2024-25, Tkachuk has 16 goals and 47 points with 128 shots on net, 76 hits, 54 PIM and a minus-6 rating.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Picks up pair of assists
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Tkachuk notched two assists, two shots on goal, five hits and two PIM in Wednesday's 4-1 win over Utah.
Tkachuk set up the Panthers' first and last goals -- a power-play tally by Sam Reinhart and Eetu Luostarinen's empty-netter, respectively. This was Tkachuk's first multi-point effort since Dec. 18 versus the Wild, and he earned his first assists since Dec. 22 against the Lightning. The winger has gone a little quiet recently but remains entrenched in a top-six role with power-play time. He's at 14 goals, 24 assists, 17 power-play points, 108 shots on net, 60 hits, 42 PIM and a minus-8 rating through 37 appearances this season.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Snaps drought with goal
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Tkachuk scored a power-play goal in Friday's 3-2 shootout win over the Penguins. He also notched 12 PIM, five shots on goal and one hit.
Tkachuk received two minutes for unsportsmanlike conduct and a 10-minute misconduct in the early stages of the second period. However, he settled down afterward and netted with a power-play tally in the final frame. His 14th goal of 2024-25 snapped a four-game point drought and six-game goalless slump. Despite the recent inconsistencies, Tkachuk remains a solid offensive weapon for the Panthers. He's up to 36 points across 35 games despite tallying just six points (four goals, two helpers) over his last 12 contests.
