The Florida Panthers might once again find an unexpected advantage from a challenging situation. After leveraging Matthew Tkachuk’s long-term injured reserve (LTIR) status to make a blockbuster trade, they could now benefit from Aaron Ekblad’s shocking 20-game suspension.
Initially, the Panthers anticipated Tkachuk wouldn’t return until the playoffs. However, NHL insider Frank Seravalli suggests that Ekblad’s suspension, which temporarily removes his cap hit from the books, could create an opportunity for Tkachuk to return in the final week of the regular season—giving him a crucial head start before the Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Speaking on NHL Coast to Coast Prime, Seravalli noted, “The door has been opened with Ekblad’s 20-game suspension. If Tkachuk’s recovery progresses well, the Panthers could make the numbers work and bring him back just in time to shake off the rust before the postseason.” While GM Bill Zito maintained that Tkachuk was “out for an extended period of time,” this unexpected turn of events could play right into Florida’s hands.
Before his injury, Tkachuk was a driving force behind the Panthers’ offense, tallying 22 goals and 57 points in 52 games. Despite his absence, he still ranks third in team points and second in goals. Meanwhile, the Panthers continued their strong season with a critical 3-2 win over division rival Toronto, extending their Atlantic Division lead.
Goaltender Sergei Bobrovsky also made history in the victory, securing his 424th career win and climbing to 10th place on the NHL’s all-time wins list. Reflecting on the hard-fought battle, forward Sam Bennett said, “It felt like a playoff game out there. We had to do all the little things right, and for the most part, we did.”
With the playoffs on the horizon, Tkachuk’s potential early return could give the Panthers the extra boost they need for a deep postseason run.
