The Florida Panthers will be making their playoff push without one of their top stars.
General manager Bill Zito confirmed Monday that Matthew Tkachuk was placed on long-term injured reserve, which will keep him out for an extended period.
“I don’t think it says anything other than we have cap space," Zito told reporters. "Matthew is going to be out for an extended period of time, and we hope to get him back for the playoffs.”
By placing Tkachuk on LTIR, the Panthers can now use his $9.5-million cap hit to make additions ahead of the trade deadline.
Some of that space has already been used after last week's trade for Seth Jones with PuckPedia reporting that Florida has $8.7 million in cap space remaining with 21 active players on the roster.
Tkachuk sustained a groin injury during the 4 Nations Face-Off while playing for Team USA.
The injury has held Tkachuk out in all four of the Panthers' games since returning from the break.
Tkachuk is second on the Panthers in scoring with 22 goals and 57 points over 52 games this season.
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