The Four Nations has now ended, and Canada dramatically snagged the crown. In the final match, McDavid scored the winning goal at 8:18 of overtime and his team won with a score of 3-2. However, for the Americans, this was not a big surprise. Their roster looked more like an injury report, with big names like Auston Matthews, Matthew Tkachuk, and Brady Tkachuk banged up. As for Matthew, who was not fortunate enough to witness the last few minutes of that thrilling match against Canada, he kept his morale up by stating he felt “better.”

But with the Florida Panthers eyeing a Stanley Cup defense, the big question is—how long will he be out? And just when you thought the Tkachuk chatter was slowing down, Matthew came up and made headlines again. This time? He recently came on The Tonight Show and decided to share the truth about the 2026 Olympics. As the Winter Games draw nearer, he focuses on representing the United States in the biggest sporting event in the world. You know he’s itching for redemption after missing the final showdown in the Four Nations.

Matthew Tkachuk hit The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, and you already know the Olympic buzz was in the air. Fallon got right to it, leaning in with, “I got to ask you about this because the Olympics are coming up. I mean, is this a possibility? I mean, what are we thinking about here?”

Tkachuk didn’t hesitate. “Well, I mean, after this tournament, the Four Nations—first of all, there’s so many great countries with so many great players.”

Matthew continued, “And you look up and down all these lineups, and, you know, there’s so many countries that have a chance to win with the star-studded roster that they have, but I truly believe in our team.” He wasn’t just saying it—he felt it. Team USA went so close this time, and with the Olympics on the horizon, they’ve got one thing on their minds: unfinished business.

Tkachuk made it crystal clear the loss only fueled their hunger. “And, you know, looking at next year being, you know, kind of a chance at redemption.”

That’s the mindset—come back stronger, come back fiercer. He couldn’t emphasize enough what it means to wear that jersey. “And just like I said, wearing the ‘USA’ crest, like, there is nothing like it. And we have so much pride in it, and we’ll be ready to go.”

The fire is lit, the countdown is on, and if Tkachuk has anything to say about it, Team USA is showing up to make one thing happen—GOLD.

As the Olympics are approaching it is not only the 4 Nations anymore! This time, all the teams including Czechia, Switzerland, Slovakia, Germany, Latvia, Denmark, Italy, and France are coming to the rink to create a twist. But let’s return to Matthew Tkachuk—out of the NHL games for now. The good news? The Florida Panthers’ coach has given a new update and fans are hanging on every word!

Panthers coach gives an update on Matthew Tkachuk!

Following the 4 Nations Face-Off, the hockey fans and the media could not help but discuss the possible Matthew Tkachuk injury. It began when coach Mike Sullivan stated mysteriously, “Matthew [Tkachuk] is out with a lower-body injury right now. He’s been evaluated by our doctors… That’s all I can offer you.”

That is how the rumor mill started to churn out stories. Tkachuk didn’t play against Team Sweden but came in the last game against Canada for only 6:47 seconds before his team lost 3-2 in OT. And just when fans thought they would see him back on the ice playing for the Florida Panthers, the team faced the Seattle Kraken—without him.

Coach Paul Maurice was rather frank and realistic when he said, “My expectation is he won’t be playing tomorrow.” And sure enough, the Panthers dropped that game 2-1, thus increasing the level of tension among the fans. So, what’s really going on?

Indeed, NHL insider Elliotte Friedman followed up on X and said Maurice admitted Tkachuk’s injury, most likely a groin strain—“could be a bit longer term, but he’s playing for us this year.” That little statement gave the Panthers fans something to cheer about once again.

Currently, Florida remains the second team in the Atlantic Division with 71 points in 58 games, which is quite satisfactory. But this is the NHL—things can change faster than a breakaway goal, a fact people need to come to accept. The Panthers remain aware they are in a very tricky position and will have to be very careful. No risks, no rushing, just making sure their star winger is ready when it really counts.

In the end, it seems Tkachuk’s injury is not as serious as initially assumed. He’ll be back—sooner rather than later—and when he steps back onto that ice, you already know expectations will be through the roof.