Panthers place Tkachuk on long-term injured reserve after Seth Jones trade

Jordan McPherson, Miami Herald on Mar 2, 2025

Published in Hockey

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MIAMI — The Florida Panthers on Sunday placed star winger Matthew Tkachuk on long-term injured reserve, a move that gives them significant salary cap flexibility needed after their blockbuster trade for defenseman Seth Jones on Saturday but one that all but certainly means Tkachuk will not play again until the Stanley Cup playoffs.

The Panthers on Sunday acquired Jones and a 2026 fourth-round pick from the Chicago Blackhawks for goaltender Spencer Knight and a conditional 2026 first-round pick. The Blackhawks are also retaining $2.5 million of Jones’ $9.5 million salary each year, meaning Florida will only be on the hook for $7 million each year.

By adding Jones and dealing Knight, the Panthers take on an extra $2.5 million cap hit this season. Knight had a cap hit of $4.5 million.

At the time of the trade, that put the Panthers’ cap space at just $550,932 — or about $225,000 below a league-minimum contract — while needing to add at a minimum a backup goaltender.

The move takes away his $9.5 million salary hit while he is sidelined.

A player on LTIR must stay there for either 10 games or 24 days, whichever is longer. This can be backdated to the first game the player missed. For Tkachuk, that’s Feb. 22, which would put him out through at least March 17.

By doing this, it almost assuredly means Tkachuk’s regular season is over because it would be nearly impossible to get cap compliant without trading away one of their core players — a move they could do without putting Tkachuk on LTIR — should they want Tkachuk to return before the playoffs.

Teams are allowed to be over the cap during the playoffs, meaning the Panthers would theoretically use the $9.5 million in cap relief from putting Tkachuk on LTIR to make additional moves ahead of the NHL trade deadline on Friday.

Following the LTIR move and subsequently recalling goaltender Chris Driedger on Sunday, the Panthers have $8,705,000 in cap space remaining while Tkachuk is on LTIR, according to PuckPedia.

Tkachuk has not played for the Panthers since NHL action resumed following the 4 Nations Face-Off after sustaining what is believed to be a groin injury during the tournament while playing for the United States.

Panthers coach Paul Maurice said Tkachuk’s injury is believed to be “near-term” and that Tkachuk will play for the team again this season.

Tkachuk is second on the Panthers in goals (22), assists (35) and points (57) while leading the team with 11 power-play goals and 23 power-play points over 52 games. He is a staple in Florida’s top-six, primarily serving as a winger on the Panthers’ second line with center Sam Bennett.

Florida has gone 3-1-0 in four games without Tkachuk.

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