SUNRISE, Fla. — Florida Panthers star forward Matthew Tkachuk appears to be closing in on his regular season debut.
Tkachuk took part in the team’s morning skate Tuesday with full contact, a significant milestone as he continues his recovery.
The 28-year-old has not yet played this season and has been gradually increasing his workload after undergoing surgery in August to repair a torn adductor muscle and a sports hernia.
“Every box that has had to be checked so far has been,” Tkachuk told reporters on Sunday. “I guess the last one before playing is taking off the no-contact jersey. We’ll have another few skates, a couple calls and figure it out from there. We’re feeling pretty good right now.”
Tkachuk has been skating with the Panthers since Dec. 28, marking steady progress in his rehabilitation.
“You kind of forget what it’s like to have stick on puck, or a body in the way, or the quick 2-on-1,” he said. “Starting to mix in a little bit of pushing, but that’s more me. Once guys are able to bump into me and hit me, that’ll feel more real.”
He suffered the injury while playing for Team USA during the 4 Nations Face-Off in February, which forced him to miss the final 25 games of last season’s regular schedule.
Tkachuk returned for the playoffs and played a key role in helping Florida capture its second consecutive Stanley Cup. He has played in all of Florida’s 23 playoff games and is tied for the team lead with 23 points (eight goals, 15 assists).
Panthers head coach Paul Maurice has suggested Tkachuk could return during the team’s upcoming six game road trip, and his return to full-contact practice indicates that possibility is drawing closer.
Florida, aiming for a third straight Stanley Cup win, is 22-16-3 this season with 47 points and currently sits fourth in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference.
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