MIAMI GARDENS — Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk delivered a blunt assessment of last season’s collapse and a pointed promise about the one ahead, telling reporters at Hard Rock Stadium that the sting of missing the 2025-26 playoffs has fueled a roster-wide urgency heading into training camp this week in Fort Lauderdale.
“It sucks, watching the playoffs … we’re watching the Finals in June. We want to be that team playing in June,” Tkachuk said, as Florida Hockey Now reported.
Tkachuk and his brother Brady appeared at the University of Miami Hurricanes’ home opener Thursday night, where Brady — new to South Florida — worked the hurricane siren before the Hurricanes routed Florida A&M 77-7 to improve to 2-0. “It gets your heart beating,” Brady Tkachuk said. “It’s great to be out in front of this crowd.”
The evening was lighthearted, but Matthew Tkachuk’s comments carried an edge sharpened by a dismal 2025-26 campaign. The Panthers, who had been chasing a third consecutive Stanley Cup, came out of the Olympic break eight points out of a playoff spot and then lost four of their next five games to extinguish any remaining hope. It was the first time since their 2023 Cup run that the franchise watched the postseason from home.
“It has been too long of an offseason but I really like where this team is at,” Matthew Tkachuk said. “Everyone looks really good. We’re not happy how last season went, and I can tell you, everyone is more motivated than ever.”
NHL free agency opened July 1, and the retooled Panthers report to training camp Wednesday morning in Fort Lauderdale, with first practice sessions the following day. Florida opens its four-game preseason slate Sept. 20 against the Carolina Hurricanes — the defending Stanley Cup champions — in Sunrise.
The regular season begins Sept. 29 at 5 p.m. when the Panthers travel to Carolina for the 2026-27 opener on ESPN, with the home opener set for Oct. 10 at 6 p.m. against the Minnesota Wild.