Matthew Tkachuk says he could miss 2 or 3 months with surgery - ESPN

Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk said he remains undecided about getting surgery before the 2025-26 season but acknowledged he could miss significant time should he require it.

Tkachuk, 27, revealed after the season that he sustained a torn adductor muscle and a sports hernia injury while playing for Team USA in the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. He missed the final 25 games of the NHL regular season but returned for Game 1 of the Panthers' first-round series against the Tampa Bay Lightning. Tkachuk had 23 points (8 goals, 15 assists) in 23 games during the playoffs, including seven points in the final against Edmonton, to lead the Panthers to their second straight Stanley Cup championship.

Coach Paul Maurice said his star forward was «a mess» healthwise heading into the postseason.

«We weren't hopeful at the start that he would survive the first round,» he said.

Tkachuk said after the season that it was «50/50» whether he'd have surgery, adding that the offseason provided ample time to make that call. Tkachuk told ESPN on Friday that «I'm still hoping to hit the ice as soon as possible.» Should he decide to go under the knife, Tkachuk said, it's likely he'll miss multiple months of action.

«If I do get the surgery, it'll definitely be the first two or maybe three months if that's the case. But it's still undecided at this point,» said the Panthers star, whose contract and cap hit could be placed on long-term injured reserve during his recovery.

It's been a notable offseason for Tkachuk. He appears on the cover of EA Sports' NHL 26 and is featured with brother Brady and father Keith on the cover of the game's deluxe edition.

Matthew and Brady Tkachuk were among the first six players named to the 2026 U.S. men's