Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk revealed his several injuries suffered during the playoffs.
Matthew Tkachuk’s performance in the 2025 Stanley Cup Final was hard fought as he helped his Florida Panthers finish off the Edmonton Oilers in six games with a dominant 5–1 win at home.
The win secured Florida their second straight Stanley Cup and inserted the teams name into the conversation of a hockey dynasty as this was their third straight finals appearance.
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In post-series interviews, Tkachuk revealed he had played the entirety of the playoffs with a completely torn adductor that was ripped off the bone as well as a sports hernia, both on the same side.
Tkachuk confessed that he had “wanted to throw in the towel a bunch of times” but was kept in the lineup thanks to intensive medical management.
Despite missing the end of the regular season, he returned in Game 1 of the opening round, ultimately contributing eight goals and 23 points in as many games, including a clutch goal in Game 6 on Tuesday.
The physical toll of such injuries is immense. A torn adductor avulsion off the bone typically requires surgery followed by four to six months of rehabilitation, a timeline mirrored by recovery from a hernia, depending on severity.
Panthers insiders, including coach Paul Maurice, have expressed cautious optimism that Tkachuk could be ready for the playoffs next year, but warned that starting the season in late 2025 may be more realistic than expecting him in opening night form. Rushing him back too soon could increase the risk of chronic injury.
This will be one of the many offseason stories for the Panthers as they are facing serious offseason roster decisions, especially as they chase a historic third straight Stanley Cup.
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Early futures emerged with Florida at +750 odds to win the 2025‑26 Stanley Cup, but their cap situation is tense with roughly $19 million available yet have three massive pending unrestricted free agents in Sam Bennett, Aaron Ekblad and Brad Marchand, who will likely all require big tickets following another successful Stanley Cup win.
These roster variables, combined with Tkachuk’s injury uncertainty, complicate Florida’s path to a three-peat. While the +750 odds may look juicy, they don’t factor in the potential early-season absence of their star winger and the possibility of losing key contributors.
Bettors and fans alike should temper their expectations, as they shouldn’t get too greedy and enjoy their second straight Stanley Cup as it’s a legendary moment before thinking about a third.
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