Tkachuk Expected to Rejoin Panthers Lineup, Confirms Maurice

The Florida Panthers are preparing for an important week as they gear up for their final practice before the holiday break. Following this practice on Monday, the team will travel to Raleigh, North Carolina, to face the Carolina Hurricanes on Tuesday.

Tkachuk Expected to Rejoin Panthers Lineup

As the team looks forward to the upcoming games, concerns linger over the return of forward Matthew Tkachuk. General Manager Bill Zito commented on Tkachuk’s status during an interview with NHL.com. Although there is uncertainty regarding his return for the Winter Classic, expected on January 2, 2026, Zito confirmed that the team hopes to have Tkachuk skating again soon.

Zito previously indicated that Tkachuk’s rehabilitation might align with a timeline surrounding Christmas. He emphasized that the player will return when he is fully prepared to do so. Tkachuk’s recovery plan was initially set for an eight-week window, but Zito acknowledged that the situation can be unpredictable due to the nature of injuries.

Injury Status of Other Players

The Panthers are also dealing with several other injuries. Captain Aleksander Barkov is out after undergoing knee surgery, expected to miss 7-9 months. Other players on the long-term injured list include:

• Tomas Nosek (knee injury)
• Jonah Gadjovich (upper body injury)
• Dmitry Kulikov (shoulder injury)
• Cole Schwindt (broken arm)

While these players are sidelined, there is hope they may return post-Olympic break at the end of February.

Upcoming Game Schedule

Looking ahead, the Panthers will play three home games in a condensed timeframe after the holiday break. These games are scheduled for:

• December 27
• December 29
• December 30

Following these matches, Florida will host the New York Rangers in the 2026 Discover Winter Classic at loanDepot park, slated for an 8 p.m. ET start on January 2.

Current Team Standing

As of the latest standings, the Panthers hold a record of 18 wins, 13 losses, and 2 overtime losses. They are just one point shy of securing a playoff position in the Eastern Conference.

With Tkachuk’s expected return and the team’s overall performance, the Panthers are aiming for a successful end to the year and a strong start in January.