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Jets Eyeing Sabres' Alex Tuch As Insurance If Nyquist Struggles Again?

The Winnipeg Jets could begin eyeing Sabres’ Alex Tuch as a potential trade target to strengthen their second line if Gustav Nyquist continues to underperform. 

The Winnipeg Jets could be considering a trade for Buffalo Sabres winger Alex Tuch, who is reportedly available on the trade market. This move could serve as a reliable fallback option for the Jets’ second-line winger position if Gustav Nyquist continues his slump from last season.

The Swedish winger is coming off a career-worst season, putting up just 28 points across 79 games with both the Nashville Predators and Minnesota Wild. Some question if age is starting to play a factor for the 35-year-old but Winnipeg feels confident in taking a gamble. If the Jets want to remain competitive towards competing for a Stanley Cup, then they will need to make sure that their top six is firing on all cylinders like last season. The departure of Nikolaj Ehlers leaves a hole that could be fixed if Nyquist reaches his similar numbers to a season prior to last year when he put up 75 points. 

"He's a Legend" - Mark Scheifele Thrilled with Jets' Signing of Jonathan ToewsThis past weekend, Mark Scheifele and a number of other prominent hockey stars teed off at the Rogers Charity Classic as a part of the Rogers Legends of Hockey segment. 

If he fails to reach close to these numbers and looks similar to the Nyquist we saw last year, the Jets may need to consider other options. One of them being a right winger on an expiring contract that would likely enjoy the opportunity to play for a Cup Contender again in Tuch. 

The 29-year-old Syracuse native is entering the final year of a seven-year contract with a very manageable cap hit of $4.75 million. Over the past three seasons, he has produced 94 goals and 111 assists, totaling 205 points. Given his track record, Tuch brings both scoring ability and physical presence as a right-shot winger that the Jets could utilize on their second line.

If Nyquist struggles to find their footing, Tuch could step in alongside Jets veteran center Jonathan Toews and dynamic winger Cole Perfetti. This new-look line has the potential to provide balanced scoring and create matchup problems for opponents with the addition of a lethal goal threat like Tuch making it that much more enticing to attempt a deal. Winnipeg’s coaching staff is exploring ways to maximize the impact of Toews and Perfetti, and adding Tuch would complement their skill sets. 

Drafted 18th overall by the Minnesota Wild in 2014, Tuch was later traded to the Vegas Golden Knights. He spent four solid seasons in Vegas, consistently putting up 30 to 50 points each year while gaining valuable playoff experience. Tuch could come into a Jets lineup that is growing in playoff experience every season and take things to another level.

Jets' Centre Earns Place on NHL Network's Top-20 ListJets' Centre Earns Place on NHL Network's Top-20 ListWinnipeg Jets centre Mark Schefiele named to NHL Network's top 20 centres list for 2025

In his first full season with Buffalo, Tuch scored 36 goals and added 43 assists for nearly 80 points in 74 games. Buffalo and Tuch have recently been engaged in contract negotiations, but if those talks falter, the Jets might be positioned to present an offer. 

Winnipeg could leverage some of its young talent, including young fringe NHL players like Nikita Chibrikov or Colby Barlow for an immediate jolt into the lineup. Acquiring Alex Tuch could serve as a dependable insurance policy for Winnipeg’s second line, ensuring scoring depth beyond the top unit. With Tuch’s combination of skill, size, and experience, the Jets would add a valuable piece to bolster their playoff aspirations.

Jets Trio Named to Team USA Olympic Camp RosterJets Trio Named to Team USA Olympic Camp RosterWinnipeg Jets Connor Hellebuyck, Kyle Connor and Neal Pionk all named to Team USA's Olympic Orientation Camp Roster.
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With The Avalanche Adding Olofsson, The Rich Get Richer

The Colorado Avalanche made another solid addition to their lineup this week with the free-agent signing of veteran left winger Victor Olofsson.

The former Vegas Golden Knights and Buffalo Sabres winger signed a one-year, $1.575-million contract, solidifying Colorado’s third line and adding offense to a team that already had all sorts of offensively productive players.

Olofsson’s signing is a clear case of the rich getting richer and the Avalanche cementing their status as a true threat to win the Stanley Cup next year.

The Avs’ group of forwards was already elite before adding Olofsson, but examine Colorado’s depth up front, and you can’t help but come to the conclusion – at least, in this writer’s opinion – that the Avalanche are the favorite to leapfrog past the Winnipeg Jets and Dallas Stars and win the highly competitive Central Division in 2025-26.

When you look at the Avs’ top three lines, there’s no question they’ve got an embarrassment of riches.

Colorado’s presumptive first line features center Nathan MacKinnon, who had a whopping 116 points last year, left winger Arturri Lehtonen, whose 27 goals in 69 games were a career high, and Martin Necas, who averaged nearly a point per game after being traded.

On the Avalanche’s second line, center Brock Nelson provides valuable secondary scoring, with 26 goals and 56 points last year. Captain Gabriel Landeskog had four points in five playoff games last year while being a physical left winger, and Valeri Nichushkin had 21 goals in 43 games.

That brings us back to Olofsson. The 30-year-old appeared in 56 games for Vegas last season, putting up 15 goals and 29 points in that span. That said, he's had three 40-point campaigns before without logging heavy minutes, and he can supplement a power play. The players who’ll be expected to play on the Avs’ third line with Olofsson – center Ross Colton and right winger Joel Kiviranta – posted a combined 32 goals and 52 points last year.

Those are excellent numbers for Colorado’s third line. And the production of the Avalanche’s top two forward lines takes the pressure off Olofsson, Colton and Kiviranta to do any heavy lifting. That may push at least one of the third-line trio to get to the 20-goal plateau next year. Given Olofsson’s bargain-rate salary and Kiviranta’s $1.25-million salary, Avalanche GM Chris MacFarland has put together a terrific-value group of forwards that will be a handful for any opponent.

Victor Olofsson (Lucas Peltier-Imagn Images)

You might say Olofsson is next season’s version of veteran winger Jonathan Drouin, who resuscitated his career in Colorado before moving on to the New York Islanders this summer. But that’s somewhat of a stretch, as Drouin was more of a playmaker than OIofsson has been. Olofsson once was a 28-goal scorer with the Sabres, so he could get back to the 20-goal level next season.

And here’s one more thing to make you appreciate MacFarland’s work: after the Olofsson signing, the Avalanche have $1.3 million in salary cap space. If MacFarland hangs on to that amount of cap space and allows it to accrue during the season, he’s going to have $6 million to spend at next year’s trade deadline. That should be terrifying to Colorado’s opponents, because you know Avs brass are going to spend every penny available to them.

To be sure, the Jets and Stars aren’t going to lay down for Colorado or any other team. But piece by piece, the Avalanche have assembled a stunningly talent-rich squad, and they look all but guaranteed to improve on their third-place finish in the Central last season. Thus, Dallas and Winnipeg should be on notice – the Avs are a legitimate Cup threat and a clear-and-present danger to push those two teams down the Central standings.

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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The Wraparound: What Should The Canadiens Do With Price's Contract?

It's time for more rapid-fire NHL and hockey topics on The Wraparound.

What Should The Canadiens Do With Price's Contract? by The WraparoundWhat Should The Canadiens Do With Price's Contract? by The Wraparoundundefined

Here's what Emma Lingan, Michael Augello and Karine Hains discussed in this episode:

0:00: How will the Montreal Canadiens handle the remaining amount of Carey Price’s contract?

4:17: With Kirby Dach’s latest injury update, who will be the Canadiens’ second-line center?

7:45: Did Lane Hutson Deserve to be invited to Team USA’s orientation camp for the Olympics?

11:55: Breaking down Frank Nazar’s extension with the Chicago Blackhawks

15:25: Was Marco Rossi’s contract a good deal for the Minnesota Wild?

19:31: Which Toronto Maple Leafs player will need to take the biggest step this season?

23:50: Could Connor Ingram’s return provide a major boost for the Utah Mammoth?

27:20: Who has the next-best shot at starting in net for Team Canada behind Jordan Binnington?

See below for where to subscribe to the show for future episodes.

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Salford stumble on in crisis with their future on the line and fans demanding answers

Troubled club at least manage to fulfil a fixture before losing 38-6 at Leigh, but Super League status is looking desperate

The notion of Salford walking out on Friday night to play their game against Leigh may seem to casual observers like a positive step, given they failed to fulfil their recent fixture against Wakefield and seem engulfed in a perma-crisis.

In hindsight, the Salford warning signs were there last winter when the club requested an advance of £500,000 on their central distribution to survive the off-season. “We should have seen the wolves were at the door then,” one Super League chief executive said this week.

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Mets Notes: Jeff McNeil undergoes precautionary MRI, Brandon Nimmo 'better today'

Prior to Friday's game against the Atlanta Braves, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza gave some updates on the team...

Jeff McNeil undergoes MRI

McNeil is not in the starting lineup for the second consecutive game as he deals with shoulder soreness. The Mets skipper gave an update on McNeil's condition and revealed that they got some imaging done on McNeil's shoulder since yesterday.

"We took some MRI this morning just precautionary and it didn’t show anything," Mendoza said. "He’s just got to play through it. It’s in a real spot. Giving him some extra time for the medicine to start working, but this is something that will be day-to-day... He’s available like last night, but limit his exposure on the field for now."

As Mendoza said, McNeil did pinch-hit in the eighth inning of Thursday's loss to the Nationals. While he did strike out, McNeil played the field in the bottom half of the inning, which is an encouraging sign.

For Friday's series opener against the Braves, the outfield alignment consists of Juan Soto in right, Cedric Mullins in center and Tyrone Taylor making his second consecutive start in left in place of Brandon Nimmo. Brett Baty is starting at second base. If McNeil were to get a pinch-hit opportunity, it would likely be for Taylor just as it was on Thursday.

Brandon Nimmo, Luis Torrens updates

Speaking of Nimmo, the veteran outfielder is out of the lineup again after his recurring neck issue popped up during Wednesday's game. 

Mendoza had a promising update on Nimmo, saying that he's "better today" and received treatment and is moving around. He pointed out that when he came to the ballpark on Thursday, he did not do any activities, but since he is, it's a good sign.

While Nimmo is out of the starting lineup, Mendoza didn't rule out an appearance from his outfielder in Friday's game. But he is going to wait and see how he feels after doing some pregame baseball activities before he decides.

As for Torrens, the backstop is riding the bench for the second consecutive game after his glove hand took a swing in Wednesday's game against the Nationals. While Torrens finished the game, his hand was sore and Mendoza said that is still the case on Friday. The Mets skipper did say Torrens is available off the bench, but wanted to give him another day and that there is still no plans to get imaging done on Torrens' hand.

This will be the first time Senger has started back-to-back games since early July.

Mets remain confident in Ryne Stanek

Stanek's performance of late has been as inconsistent as the team's bullpen as a whole. After back-to-back scoreless outings earlier this week, the right-hander allowed four runs on three hits and two walks in Thursday's 9-3 loss to the Nationals. 

Mendoza was asked how the team plans to get Stanek right for the stretch run.

"Continue to be supportive," he said. "The stuff is there. You look at 100 mph, the split and it’s kinda crazy. We continue to believe in him."

The Mets skipper was asked if Stanek's issues are a product of his lack of execution or the sequence of pitches and Mendoza said it's a combination of both.

"When he’s ahead in counts, not being able to finish hitters," Mendoza said. "A little too much in the strike zone and they put the ball in play, and he’s been a little unlucky as well. Executing when he’s ahead in counts is the biggest thing. Making guys chase as opposed to leaving hittable pitches."

In 50 appearances this season, Stanek has pitched to a 5.65 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP.

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Calder Cup Champion Mason Morelli Signs With KHL's Barys Astana

Former Henderson Silver Knights forward and 2023 Calder Cup champion Mason Morelli has signed a one-year contract with Barys Astana of the KHL, the team announced Thursday. 

Morelli recorded 13 goals and 19 points in 48 games with the Silver Knights and went pointless in one game with the Vegas Golden Knights last season. 

The 29-year-old has 57 goals and 139 points in 299 career AHL games with the Silver Knights, Hershey Bears, and Stockton Heat. 

The Minot, ND., native won the 2023 Calder Cup with the Bears and had a great playoff showing, putting up five goals and 13 points in 20 games. 

Morelli turned pro in 2019 after four seasons at the University of Nebraska-Omaha where he had 77 points in 120 career games. He served as team captain his senior season and was named to the NCHC Second All-Star Team in 2018-19. 

He joins former Bears teammates Mike Vecchione and Jake Massie on Barys Astana and joins the legion of AHL veterans who have departed North America for the KHL this off-season. 

Check out our AHL Free Agency signing tracker here.        

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Ex-Oilers Netminder Says Stuart Skinner Takes Too Much Blame: 'We Forget That He's A Young Goalie'

As he enters the final year of a contract that carries a $2.6-million cap hit, there are two ways of evaluating whether the Edmonton Oilers should make a long-term commitment to Stuart Skinner.

On one hand, there were 38 other goalies (who played in at least 20 games) who had a better save percentage than Skinner last season. But in the past two years combined, only Florida’s Sergei Bobrovsky has won more games in the playoffs.

In other words, deciding what to do with Skinner and the Oilers' goaltending, in general is not an easy decision — especially when you factor in how many other goalies have come to Edmonton and failed to find success.

“He’s dealing with pressures that nobody else is dealing with,” former NHL goalie Devan Dubnyk, who spent the first five years of his career with the Oilers and now runs a goalie mentorship program called Dubnyk Development, told The Big Show this week. “That’s part of the territory that you deal with in playing for a Canadian market. He’s done a really, really impressive job of handling it.”

Skinner might not be anyone’s pick to win the Vezina Trophy, but he has guided Edmonton to back-to-back appearances in the Stanley Cup final. That's something that neither Cam Talbot, Mikko Koskinen, Mike Smith or Jack Campbell can say.

“Skinner’s got more playoff experience than three-quarters of the league is ever going to have,” said Dubnyk, who added that Skinner is also just hitting his prime.

“We forget that he’s a young goalie,” he said. “It feels like he’s been there a long time. But he’s only 26 years old and should be entering the peak years of his career right now.”

The Hockey News Big Show: Devan Dubnyk On The Mental Side, Stuart Skinner, Sergei Bobrovsky And MoreThe Hockey News Big Show: Devan Dubnyk On The Mental Side, Stuart Skinner, Sergei Bobrovsky And MoreThe Hockey News Big Show has a special guest on this summer episode: longtime NHL netminder Devan Dubnyk, who launched Dubnyk Development.

That experience hasn’t always been positive.

Skinner, who went 26-18-4 in the regular season, was so shaky in the first round of this year's playoffs that he was pulled after allowing 11 goals in Games 1 and 2 against Los Angeles. It took an injury in the second round to backup Calvin Pickard, who had gone 6-0, for Skinner to eventually reclaim his net.

To Skinner's credit, he posted back-to-back shutouts against Vegas and allowed 10 goals in five games against Dallas, before losing to Florida again in the final.

“Do you know how easy it would have been to fold the tent there?" Dubnyk said of Skinner's performance when Pickard got hurt. "The amount of pressure that was going into the next game and he pulls back-to-back shutouts. Like that is an impressive feat, because that was such an impossible scenario to come in with Pickard being the local hero.”

Unfortunately for Skinner, he was unable to be the hero as the Oilers lost 4-2 in a best-of-seven series to Florida. The back-to-back losses in the final led to suggestions that the Oilers should spend the summer finding an upgrade for Skinner or at the very least someone to come and share the net with him.

So far, however, the team has decided to roll things back with its two goalies.

Oilers Have A New Goalie Trade TargetOilers Have A New Goalie Trade TargetEDMONTON – Goaltending is one of the hardest positions to play in all of sports, let alone hockey.

“For Oilers fans it was as frustrating as it was, because they wanted to see something happening with the goaltending," said Dubnyk. "But you have to take a step back and look at it. You don’t want to rush into making a decision just to make a decision.

"If you’re going to get a backup goalie to replace Pickard, well that’s tricky, too. it has to be somebody who is significantly better who is almost on par with Skinner that’s going to be an option to take over. You don’t just replace Pickard to replace Pickard, because what’s the guy done for you. He’s a great teammate. The guy loves him, they play hard in front of him and he was 7-1 in the playoffs as a backup goalie in the Stanley Cup final.

"What else are you going to ask of your backup goalie? There’s not a goalie on the planet who’s going to give you 7-1 in the playoffs.”

And yet, Dubnyk believes that the Oilers are not done.

After all, when you have a team that includes Connor McDavid and Leon Draisaitl, you aren't just expected to reach the final. Eventually, you need to win.

“I think they’ll do something to upgrade the goaltending," he said. "I hate saying that because I love Picks. If that’s the case, I hope he goes somewhere we he can play. I wouldn’t be surprised early on if Edmonton can get someone who can push Skinner.”

Get the latest news and trending stories by following The Hockey News on Google News and by subscribing to The Hockey News newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com.

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West Ham 1-5 Chelsea: Premier League – live reaction

Chelsea thrashed the Hammers to pile the pressure on Graham Potter

A big blow for Chelsea / boost for West Ham before kick-off. Cole Palmer has tweaked something in the warm-up, and is out. Estêvão, Chelsea’s new 18-year-old wing sensation, takes his creative brief.

Chelsea will sport their new third kit this evening. Take a quick glance, and you could be forgiven for thinking they’re cosplaying as Scotland. Closer inspection of the commemorative golden disc will however reveal two words that categorically clear up that particular confusion in double-quick time. Chelsea also become the latest club to go retro with their crest, reviving the mid-80s lion sprawled across the letters CFC, as though elegantly wasted on a chaise longue.

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The Hurricanes Used A Unique Strategy Tp Acquire K'Andre Miller

James Guillory-Imagn Images

In order to acquire K’Andre Miller, the Carolina Hurricanes used a unique strategy. 

Miller was a restricted free agent and was in a stalemate with the New York Rangers regarding negotiations for a new contract extension. 

Meanwhile, the Hurricanes were ready to pounce by giving Miller an offer sheet to sway him away from the Rangers. 

Once that became clear, the Rangers and Hurricanes agreed to a sign-and-trade for Miller that included a second-round pick in the 2026 NHL Draft, a conditional first-round pick in the 2026 or 2027 NHL Draft and defenseman Scott Morrow.

The Rangers were threatened by the idea of losing Miller for just draft compensation, which forced them to negotiate a sign-and-trade with the Hurricanes.

Eric Tulsky Strongly Feels That Hurricanes Can Help Unleash K'Andre Miller's Potential Eric Tulsky Strongly Feels That Hurricanes Can Help Unleash K'Andre Miller's Potential The Carolina Hurricanes are betting on K’Andre Miller’s potential.

“They ended up coming together on a trade that was very close to the compensation that they would have gotten anyway from an offer sheet. They just got an extra prospect involved, so they got something that could hit their lineup sooner rather than later,” Marco D’Amico of RG.media said.

The 25-year-old defenseman ultimately signed an eight-year, $60 million contract extension with the Hurricanes once he was acquired. 

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Unique Kobe Bryant-Michael Jordan card set to break price record on Mamba's birthday

The record for the amount paid for a basketball card is about to be broken by Kobe Bryant on what would have been his 47th birthday ... with some help from his "big brother," Michael Jordan.

The 2007-08 Upper Deck Exquisite Collection Dual Logoman Autographs card featuring Bryant and Jordan is up for bid online at Heritage Auctions. Bidding closes Saturday at 8 p.m. PDT, with extended bidding available at that time.

As of early Friday afternoon, bidding for the one-of-one card had reached $7.015 million, including the 22% buyer's premium added to the successful bid. That already shatters the current record price garnered by a basketball card — the $5.9 million paid for the 2009-10 Panini National Treasures Stephen Curry Logoman Autograph card in a 2021 private estate sale.

Read more:'We wanted to throw a twist on it': Why an iconic Kobe Bryant image was altered for a Dodger-themed mural

With more than a day still remaining for bids, it's still tough to tell what the new record might end up being.

"Most likely, it'll end up somewhere in the $8-million range," Heritage director of sports collectibles Chris Ivy told The Times late Friday morning, although he added that he "wouldn't be shocked" if it went for $10 million or more.

The most anyone has paid for any sports card is $12.6 million for a 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle card in a 2022 Heritage auction. The Curry card currently sits at No. 4 among all sports cards.

Read more:'Property of Sophie Cunningham': How a fan got Fever star to troll a rival player with her autograph

The Dual Logoman Autographs series of cards features the images and signatures of two iconic players, as well as NBA logo patches from a game-worn jersey from each player. Jordan appeared on eight such cards and Bryant was on 11, but this is the only one that paired the two of them.

"It's the only one that has Kobe and Jordan on it, and it has both their Logoman logos, and it's signed by both," Ivy said, "and so kind of all those factors combined together to make this the top card for modern card collectors. And we're seeing that in the price that it's generating right now."

Michael Jordan in a red uniform dribbles the basketball as he is guarded by Kobe Bryant in a gold uniform.
Chicago Bulls' Michael Jordan eyes the basket as he is guarded by the Lakers' Kobe Bryant on Feb. 1, 1998, at the Forum. (Vince Bucci / AFP via Getty Images)

Cards featuring Jordan and Bryant individually haven't brought in nearly as much cash, with Jordan's top seller going for $2.93 million in 2024 and Bryant's going for $2.3 million earlier this month.

Ivy said it is a coincidence that the auction is ending on Bryant's birthday.

The beloved Los Angeles icon and daughter Gianna were among the nine people who died in a Jan. 26, 2020, helicopter crash in Calabasas. Jordan was one of the speakers at the father and daughter's public memorial held on Feb. 24, 2020, at Staples Center.

Read more:Michael Jordan bares the secret behind relationship with 'little brother' Kobe Bryant

"Maybe it surprised people that Kobe and I were very close friends," Jordan said. "But we were very close friends. Kobe was my dear friend, he was like a little brother."

He added: "What Kobe Bryant was to me was the inspiration that someone truly cared about the way that I played the game or the way that he wanted to play the game.

"He wanted to be the best basketball player that he could be. And as I got to know him, I wanted to be the best big brother that I could be. To do that you have to put up with the aggravation, the late-night calls or the dumb questions. I took great pride as I got to know Kobe Bryant that he was just trying to be a better person, a better basketball player."

Get the best, most interesting and strangest stories of the day from the L.A. sports scene and beyond from our newsletter The Sports Report.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

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Willy Adames homers on first pitch after standing ovation in Giants-Brewers game

Willy Adames homers on first pitch after standing ovation in Giants-Brewers game originally appeared on NBC Sports Bay Area

Willy Adames made a grand entrance in his first return to Milwaukee on Friday night.

The Giants shortstop, who spent the previous four season with the Brewers before joining San Francisco last offseason, received a rousing standing ovation from the home crowd at American Family Field.

Adames then jumped on the very first pitch of his first at-bat, crushing a solo home run to left field mere moments after being greeted by a warm reception.

Those cheers quickly turned to boos as the Brewers fans watched their longtime shortstop put Milwaukee into an early 1-0 hole with his towering blast.

The home run was Adames’ 21st of the 2025 MLB season, but it didn’t take long for the slugging shortstop to add another.

Adames teed off on Brewers reliever Aaron Ashby in the eighth inning for his second home run of the night, pulling the Giants within one run.

It likely will be a night Adames never forgets.

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Matthew Tkachuk will miss part of season after having surgery, per report

It’s going to be a while until Matthew Tkachuk is back in the Florida Panthers lineup.

NHL insider David Pagnotta reported Friday that Tkachuk had surgery several weeks ago and will miss part of the regular season.

These are things we have suspected for a while.

Back in June, after the Panthers won their second straight Stanley Cup, Tkachuk revealed that he had been playing through both a torn hip abductor and a sports hernia.

The specifics of Tkachuk’s surgery have not been revealed, but he’s expected to be out until sometime before the 2026 Winter Olympics that take place in February in Milan, Italy.

It's been an excellent summer for Tkachuk.

He's celebrated a Stanley Cup win (for over a week), had a blast at the championship parade, gotten married, brought the Cup home to St. Louis and traveled with both teammates and his new bride. 

Now, it's time to recover and prepare to get back in the ring again next winter and spring. 

Florida is expected to be a Stanley Cup Contender for years to come, and even with Tkachuk out of the lineup for part of the season, as long as he’s good to go for the playoffs, the Panthers are fine with that.

Since arriving in South Florida, Tkachuk has helped the Cats reach the Stanley Cup Final in each of his three seasons, logging 88 goals and 254 points in 211 regular season games.

He’s been better than a point-per-game player during the playoffs, racking up 25 goals and 69 points in 67 postseason games in a Panthers sweater.

Tkachuk’s absence will create an opportunity for someone on Florida’s second line next to Sam Bennett, and candidates who will get a look will likely include Mackie Samoskevich and Evan Rodrigues.

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Photo caption: Jun 17, 2025; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers left wing Matthew Tkachuk (19) controls the puck against the Edmonton Oilers during the second period in game six of the 2025 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. (Sam Navarro-Imagn Images)