Tkachuk may not be ready for the Winter Classic, but returning in January seems like a legitimate possibility. That would give him enough time to get ready to represent Team USA at the Olympic Winter Games Milano Cortina 2026 in February after Tkachuk was named to the preliminary roster in June.
Still, Maurice was thrilled to have Tkachuk back on the ice with teammates. The Panthers are also without captain Aleksander Barkov, who had knee surgery after being injured early in training camp and is expected to be out for at least the remainder of the regular season. Forwards Tomas Nosek (knee), Jonah Gadjovich (upper body) and Cole Schwindt (broken arm), and defenseman Dmitry Kulikov (shoulder), and are also each out long term. Maurice said Gadjovich likely won’t be back until after the Olympics; Kulikov could return in March.
Tkachuk was injured last season playing for the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off in February. He missed the final 25 games of the regular season but returned for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, where he tied for the Panthers lead with 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists) in 23 games, helping them win their second straight championship. He had 57 points (22 goals, 35 assists) in 52 regular-season games.
“His hands haven’t changed,” Maurice said of Tkachuk. “You forget about these guys because they have been out so long, then they get up and down the ice. He hasn’t practiced in five, six months, and he moved all right.
“Just his engagement with the players, you know they are special players. Just great to see him skate.”
Tkachuk participated in all the drills at practice, which was well attended. Forwards Sam Bennett and Sam Reinhart, and goalie Sergei Bobrovsky did not participate for Florida (20-15-2), which hosts the Washington Capitals on Monday (7 p.m. ET; SCRIPPS, MNMT, TVAS).
“It was awesome and it was exciting,” defenseman Seth Jones said. “He gives a little boost. There is an excitement he could be back in our lineup every day again. He did not miss a beat.”
