Matthew Tkachuk has been battling an injury for the reason that Florida Panthers’ first Stanley Cup, but he’s nearing a return after two surgeries within the offseason. After fighting through ailments for many of last season, Tkachuk knew he should take the time to get to 100% this season, and the Panthers’ star appears to be on schedule after Paul Maurice’s update last week. In an update on Wednesday afternoon, Maurice informed reporters that Tkachuk was already back on the ice.
Despite the fact that he’s back on the ice, Tkachuk remains to be “a ways away” from his return from injury, in response to Maurice. It is smart for the organization to take its time, because the jumbled mess that’s the Eastern Conference allows Florida a while to spare. Despite the fact that there may be concern in regards to the Panthers’ slow begin to the season with their 12-10-1 record, they are only two points outside the wild card and three points out of the ultimate playoff spot within the Atlantic Division.
“He hit the ice twice last week before he went back to see the doctor,” Maurice said. “He’s on an on-off schedule; he skates one, then trains one just to maintain the soreness out. He’ll stay on that [schedule] until he hits certain markers where he has enough power and strength. Then we’ll put him on two-on, one-off. He’s still a ways away. But he’s back on the ice, and he was not two weeks ago. So, we’ll take it.”
Tkachuk has some necessary games he would really like to get healthy for, that are still farther down the road. The Winter Classic on January 2 will probably be one for the Panthers, while the Olympics are also quickly approaching. It looks like Matthew Tkachuk will make certain he is prepared for all those dates.