Report: Panthers' Tkachuk could miss start of season with injury

Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk could miss the start of the season due to the lingering injuries he battled throughout the playoffs, Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman noted on the "32 Thoughts" podcast.

Tkachuk's timeline is unclear at this point, but the winger is expected to return in time for the Olympics, Friedman noted. Tkachuk was named one of the first six players on the Americans' roster earlier this summer.

The Milano-Cortina Olympics will take place in February, and NHL players will participate for the first time since 2014.

Tkachuk was originally injured representing the United States at the 4 Nations Face-Off. He was on long-term injured reserve for the final two months of the regular season, and his absence helped the Panthers have a hugely impactful trade deadline - they landed Brad Marchand and Seth Jones in separate deals.

Tkachuk returned for Game 1 of the first round and contributed 23 points in as many games as Florida won its second consecutive Stanley Cup. After the triumph, he revealed he played through a torn adductor and a sports hernia.

The 27-year-old was revealed as the EA Sports NHL 26 cover athlete on Monday.