Florida Panthers Head Coach Provides Major Update On Superstar Forward Matthew Tkachuk

Unfortunately for the Florida Panthers, superstar forward Matthew Tkachuk has been out since the Four Nations Face Off, with the first updates on his status predicting that he would be unlikely to play again in the regular season.

Now, with just a few weeks left before the Stanley Cup Playoffs and their first ever title defense officially begins, we've got our latest update from Head Coach Paul Maurice after Tkachuk was seen on the ice simply getting a feel for the puck again.

While most hoped he could comfortably return for the post-season, Maurice confirms that that is the goal, but added that scheduling may play a huge role, showing that Tkachuk isn't as close as some would have hoped at this point.

The Panthers just saw the team debut of Brad Marchand, who was on the sidelines when he was acquired by Florida at the trade deadline, and with Tkachuk expected to come back for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, this team will be as formidable as any in the NHL.

We will continue to update this situation as Tkachuk takes further steps to returning in the coming weeks, and while there's nothing concrete as of yet, he should be getting much closer to a return over the coming days and weeks.