Matthew Tkachuk’s recent comment leaves fans across the league without clarification regarding his availability for much of the upcoming regular season. The forward initially injured his hernia and adductor muscle during the 4 Nations Face-Off in February.
The injuries significantly affected Tkachuk’s ability to play. He missed the last 25 NHL regular-season games and returned for the Florida Panthers’ first game in the first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning.
Given his injuries, Coach Paul Maurice and the rest of the team were hardly sure that the forward would be able to get through the first round. “He was a mess,” said Coach Maurice.
Fans React to Matthew Tkachuk’s Surgery Update
Tkachuk showed up nonetheless. The 27-year-old gathered 23 points in 23 playoff games in the 2024-25 postseason. However, whether the forward will be opting for surgery or otherwise remains a question to be answered.
If he decides to proceed with the procedure, he will miss a considerable portion of the regular season with the Panthers. “If I do get the surgery, it’ll definitely be the first two or maybe three months if that’s the case”, confessed Tkachuk in his recent ESPN interview.
However, the 27-year-old also admitted that he is still debating. “But it’s still undecided at this point.” His comment has only triggered further discourse on the topic, and social media is rife with opinions about the issue. Some argue he is headed to the LTIR to free up cap space, while others wonder why Tkachuk did not just utilize the offseason to get the surgery.
While he remains undecided, Matthew Tkachuk could still undergo offseason surgery and miss the first 2-3 months of the regular season, according to @wyshynski.
Tkachuk played through a torn adductor muscle during the playoffs, which occurred during 4 Nations Face-Off in February pic.twitter.com/jTVEDPvpHk
— B/R Open Ice (@BR_OpenIce) August 8, 2025
A social media user bluntly suggested that it is about time for Tkachuk to decide. They want the forward to use the downtime to rest and recover adequately. “He better make his decision now. It’s selfish on his part if he’s gonna wait now, so a great time to start healing and recovering.”
He better make his decision now. It’s selfish on his part if he’s gonna wait now, so a great time to start healing and recovering.
— The Diary Of A Social Gal (Stephanie Dolce) (@AxTheEx) August 8, 2025
The user was joined by another who echoed a similar sentiment. “And why he didn’t get the surgery during the 2 months he’s been off is beyond me…”
And why he didn’t get the surgery during the 2 months he’s been off is beyond me…
— JustSomeGamer (@JustSomeGamer93) August 9, 2025
Multiple users across X believed Tkachuk could spend the initial months of the regular season in the LTIR, echoing the thought process of Elliotte Friedman, who believes that the Panthers wouldn’t need to part ways with Evan Rodrigues to salvage their cap situation, because Tkachuk’s possible LTIR future could help the team recover from its tight financial situation.
“Conditioning us for LTIR loop hole, magically he’s 100% game 1”, added one fan.
Conditioning us for LTIR loop hole, magically he’s 100% game 1
— Travis Stewart (@Ttavisstewart96) August 9, 2025
Another fan stated that this was simply a tactic to maneuver the cap space. “How long can he undecided for? I’ll bet he’ll get it right as season starts so they can circumvent the cap again”.
How long can he undecided for? I’ll bet he’ll get it right as season starts so they can circumvent the cap again
— topher (@akatopherr) August 8, 2025
While fans want the forward back on ice fit and healthy, his comment continues to complicate things. Meanwhile, the Panthers also struggle with their cap space, leaving many wondering if Tkachuk could be headed to the LTIR to help the team out of its financial woes.
