FORT LAUDERDALE – Taking a big step towards ultimately returning to the Florida Panthers, star forward Massieut Kachuk skated before Monday’s practice at the Baptist Health Iceplex.
Returning from a lower body injury, Tkachuk has not been competitive since the 4 Nations face-off championship game on February 20th.
“He’s basically touching the puck,” coach Paul Maurice said. “He’s not there yet, so there’s no conditioning component. He’ll probably go out on the ice and run the pack for a few more days, maybe another week.”
The next checkpoint in Tkachuk’s recovery involves increasing his on-ice activity.
“Hopefully he can get to the point where he can start driving,” Maurice said. “We can do something off-ice to try and alleviate some of the losses in conditioning, but he has to take part in some important skates here. We still think it’s the way out of that.”
With the regular season over on April 15th, the Panthers hope that Tkachuk can return to the lineup in the first round of the playoffs, which should begin in a few days.
“That’s what we’re filming, depending on when these games are scheduled,” Maurice said.
An integral part of Florida’s offense, Tkachuk has scored 57 points (22 goals, 35 assists) in 52 games this season.
In his 44 career playoff games with the Panthers, Tkachuk produced a whopping 46 points (17 goals, 29 assists), including posting 22 points in his run to the Stanley Cup last year.
Tkachuk wants to go back to action and has been taking part in the LTIR since March 2nd.
“Hopefully he can start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel,” said teammate Sam Reinhart. “It’s positive to bring those people back into the lineup, and I’m not sure how he felt (after his skates).
The Panthers (91 points) who are in the first finish in the Atlantic Division without Tkachuk, have one game three points behind the Toronto Maple Leafs (94 points).
Of the last nine games of the season, two will oppose the Maple Leafs.
As the Panthers are scheduled to begin a four-game road trip on Tuesday in a rematch with the Montreal Canadians, Tkachuk is expected to travel with the team and continue rehabilitation.
