Tkachuk (groin) won't be an option for Florida until the postseason after general manager Bill Zito told reporters Monday, "Matthew's going to be out for an extended period of time. We hope to get him back for the playoffs," per Jameson Olive of the Panthers' official site.
Tkachuk was already designated for long-term injured reserve, but this update further cements the fact that the winger won't be seeing any more regular-season action. It will be the first time the 27-year-old Arizona native will miss the 60-point threshold since the 2020-21 campaign. Don't be surprised to see the Panthers take advantage of the $9.5 million in LTIR cap relief ahead of Friday's trade deadline.
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Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky: Facing Lightning
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Bobrovsky will patrol the home crease versus Tampa Bay on Monday.
Bobrovsky has won three of his last four outings, stopping 93 of 99 shots. He has a 25-13-2 record with three shutouts, a 2.59 GAA and a .904 save percentage through 40 appearances this season. Tampa Bay ranks second in the league with 3.56 goals per game, and the team is riding an eight-game winning streak.
Driedger was called up from AHL Charlotte on Sunday, per PuckPedia.
Driedger figures to serve as Sergei Bobrovsky's backup the rest of the season, barring other moves, after Spencer Knight was dealt to Chicago for Seth Jones. The 30-year-old Driedger has yet to appear in an NHL game this year. He made two starts for Seattle in 2023-24, going 1-1-0 with a .917 save percentage.
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Panthers' Matthew Tkachuk: Shifts to LTIR
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Tkachuk (groin) was placed on long-term injured reserve Sunday, per PuckPedia.
Tkachuk has missed the last four games after being injured during the 4 Nations Face-Off. It remains unclear when he will be available to return to the lineup, though he will be out for at least 10 games and 24 days after going on LTIR. Tkachuk has generated 22 goals, 57 points, 156 shots on net, 84 hits and 54 PIM through 52 appearances this season. Due to Tkachuk's absence, Evan Rodrigues and Mackie Samoskevich have been occupying top-six roles. The Panthers recalled Chris Driedger from AHL Charlotte in a corresponding move to occupy the backup role behind Sergei Bobrovsky after trading Spencer Knight to Chicago on Saturday for Seth Jones.
Ekblad delivered an assist and four PIM in Saturday's 3-0 win over Calgary.
Ekblad is riding a three-game, four-assist scoring streak. He has 30 points, 27 helpers and 104 shots in 53 games this season. That puts him on pace to top the 40-point mark for the third time in his career. However, Ekblad's role on the top power-play unit could be at risk due to the arrival of Seth Jones in a trade with Chicago on Saturday.
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Panthers' Sam Bennett: Collects two assists in win
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Bennett notched two assists, five shots on goal, three hits and a plus-2 rating in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Flames.
Bennett was a menace against his former team, helping out on goals by linemates Evan Rodrigues and Mackie Samoskevich. This was Bennett's third multi-point effort in his last seven outings, a span in which he has three goals and five assists. He started the year hot, then struggled for much of December and January, but a stint with Team Canada at the 4 Nations Face-Off seems to have reignited his performance. He's at 39 points, 193 shots on net, 124 hits, 69 PIM and a minus-9 rating through 59 appearances. Bennett is a solid source of depth scoring and carries extra appeal in fantasy formats where his heavy playing style is rewarded.
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Panthers' Evan Rodrigues: One of each in Saturday's win
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Rodrigues scored a goal on five shots, added an assist and went plus-2 in Saturday's 3-0 win over the Flames.
The Panthers' second line of Rodrigues, Sam Bennett and Mackie Samoskevich combined for two goals and five points in the win. Rodrigues' tally stretched the lead to 2-0 late in the second period. This ended a stretch where he had one assist over six games, and it was his first multi-point effort since Dec. 5 against the Flyers. For the season, the 31-year-old forward has 14 goals, 27 points, 127 shots on net, 90 hits, 30 PIM and an even plus-minus rating through 61 outings in a middle-six role.
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Panthers' Sergei Bobrovsky: Moves up franchise shutout list
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Bobrovsky made 23 saves in a 3-0 win over the Flames on Saturday.
It was his third shutout of the season and 14th with the Panthers, which moved him past legend John Vanbiesbrouck into third on the franchise list. Bobrovsky spent a lot of time Saturday watching Dan Vladar stand on his head at the other end of the rink. Through two periods, the Panthers had a 35-12 advantage in shots and a 66-23 edge in shot attempts. Bobrovsky is 25-13-2 with a 2.59 GAA, .904 save percentage and three shutouts this season.
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Panthers' Mackie Samoskevich: Three goals in last five games
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Samoskevich scored a goal in a 3-0 win over Calgary on Saturday.
He took a pass from Sam Bennett and drove the net, beating Dan Vladar on the backhand. It was Samoskevich's 10th goal (52 games) of the season and third in the last five games. He became the fifth-fasted Panthers rookie in the past 20 years to reach 10 goals in a season.
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Panthers' Seth Jones: Florida-bound in trade
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Jones and a 2026 fourth-round pick were traded to the Panthers from the Blackhawks on Saturday in exchange for Spencer Knight and a conditional 2026 first-round pick.
Per PuckPedia, the Blackhawks will use up their last salary retention spot for the season by retaining $2.5 million of Jones' $9.5 million cap hit. He is under contract for five more years after this one, so this is far more than just a rental for the Panthers. The good news is the Panthers will get a minutes-munching blueliner who can quarterback a power play. Jones should also benefit significantly from going to a Stanley Cup contender after playing for one of the worst teams in the league, so consider his fantasy stock on the rise. Jones is likely to be available to play Monday versus the Lightning.
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Panthers' Jonah Gadjovich: Gets game-winner
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Gadjovich scored a goal Saturday in a 3-0 win over Calgary.
Gadjovich lifted the puck over Dan Vladar's pad from the right of the net after the netminder stopped his first two attempts. Calgary's coach challenged the play for goalie interference, but the call on the ice stood -- and it stood as the winner. Gadjovich has just three goals this season (no assists) in 26 games, but his second game-winning marker.
Panthers' Evan Rodrigues: Eight shots on goal in win
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Rodrigues was held without a point but recorded eight shots on goal in 13:33 of ice time in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Oilers.
As was evidenced during last year's Stanley Cup Final that saw him post four goals and seven points in the seven-game series, Rodrigues can be a streaky player. That's been the case this year, and he's currently on the downturn, as he's recorded one point over his last six games. However, despite seeing his fewest minutes in his last 11 appearances Thursday, the 31-year-old blew past his previous season high with eight shots on goal, perhaps signaling one of his hot streaks could be on the way. Considering his role as a top-six forward, Rodrigues is definitely an option for fantasy managers looking for a high-ceiling add down the stretch.
Greer posted an assist, three hits and five PIM in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Oilers.
Greer set the tone by fighting Corey Perry at 2:52 of this 2024 Stanley Cup Finals rematch. While Greer wasn't with the Panthers last season, he likely has no trouble taking out some frustration on the Oilers after spending 2023-24 with the Flames. Greer is up to a career-high 14 points with 63 shots on net, 164 hits, 85 PIM and a plus-1 rating over 60 appearances as a fixture on the Panthers' fourth line. He'll set a new career high in games played with two more outings.
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Panthers' Uvis Balinskis: Tallies opening goal
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Balinskis scored a goal on three shots and added two PIM in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Oilers.
Balinskis started the scoring in this rematch of last year's Stanley Cup Finals, ending his own eight-game point drought in the process. The 28-year-old defenseman didn't play in the postseason last year, but he could have a chance to this spring in the likely event the Panthers qualify. There's always a chance they make a trade to bolster their defensive depth as well -- which would likely threaten Balinskis and Nate Schmidt's roles on the third pairing. For the season, Balinskis has 15 points, 71 shots on net, 56 hits, 39 blocked shots and a minus-1 rating over 57 outings.
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Panthers' Nate Schmidt: Finds twine in Thursday's win
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Schmidt scored a goal and went plus-2 in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Oilers.
Schmidt scored for the first time since Jan. 25 versus the Sharks. The defenseman chips in a little offense in a third-pairing role, picking up four points over his last 11 contests. For the season, the 33-year-old has 14 points, 47 shots on net, 58 hits, 42 blocked shots and a plus-2 rating across 58 appearances. Fantasy managers could do worse for streaming options on nights with light schedules, but Schmidt doesn't produce enough in any one area to justify being a long-term addition to most rosters.
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Panthers' Carter Verhaeghe: Pots game-winner Thursday
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Verhaeghe scored a goal and blocked three shots in Thursday's 4-3 win over the Oilers.
Verhaeghe ended a five-game goal drought, during which he had two assists. Thanks to a four-point game versus the Islanders on Feb. 2, Verhaeghe had a decent month with five goals and four assists over eight contests. He's run a little streaky in 2024-25, amassing 16 goals, 44 points, 181 shots on net, 75 hits and a minus-13 rating across 60 appearances. He'll push for the 60-point mark down the stretch, but he's likely to end up with his lowest point total in three years.
