NHL Notebook: Panthers’ Matthew Tkachuk ‘undecided’ about surgery that could delay start to 2025-26 season

Just days after being named to the cover of EA Sports’ NHL 26, Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk may not be ready for the start of the 2025-26 season.

Tkachuk told ESPN’s Greg Wyshynski that he’s contemplating the next steps in his recovery from a torn adductor muscle and sports hernia injury he suffered while playing for Team USA at the 4-Nations Face-Off.

One option is surgery, Tkachuk said, but it’s something that would keep him out of the Panthers’ lineup at the start of the year.

“I’m still hoping to hit the ice as soon as possible,” said Tkachuk. “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.”

Tkachuk missed the remainder of the regular season after being injured in the February tournament, but was able to return in time for the postseason. There, he chipped in eight goals and 23 points in 23 games, helping the Panthers win their second straight title.

Other news…

• Little Caesars Arena is getting a nice touch for the Detroit Red Wings this year as the team celebrates its 100th year in the NHL. The centre ice logo will see them bring their decades-old nickname of “Hockeytown,” splayed over a new logo with a version of the winged-wheel and the number 100 behind it. The logo was voted on by Red Wings fans, which gave them a second option of the logo without “Hockeytown” on it.”
• The Colorado Avalanche signed forward Joel Kiviranta to a one-year contract, the club announced Friday. The 29-year-old left-shot winger drew in for 79 games last year for the Avalanche, scoring 16 goals — double his previous career high — and 23 points. According to PuckPedia, his deal will pay him $1.25-million, a $475,000 raise from his previous contract, which was also a one-year deal.
• Ex-NHL’er Jakub Vrana is taking his talents to Sweden, signing a two-year deal with Linköping HC of the Swedish Hockey League. Drafted by the Washington Capitals 13th overall in the 2014 draft, Vrana had success with the team, scoring 83 goals and 168 points in 310 games between the 2016-17 and 2020-21 seasons. But after being traded to the Red Wings in April 2021, he dealt with injuries and spent time splitting games between the NHL and AHL.