The Florida Panthers' star forward Matthew Tkachuk has been announced as the cover athlete for NHL 26, the latest installment in the popular video game series developed by EA Sports. This significant achievement marks him as the first player from the Panthers to grace the primary cover since goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck featured on NHL 97.

This announcement comes on the heels of the Panthers successfully defending their Stanley Cup title, a moment celebrated through the game's release. Tkachuk, who faced a lower-body injury during the latter part of the regular season, was limited to 52 appearances but still managed to contribute significantly with 22 goals and 35 assists, ranking third on the team. Despite concerns regarding his availability leading into the postseason, coach Paul Maurice acknowledged Tkachuk's resilience, stating, 'Matthew's played with some injuries.' His performance in the playoffs was notable, as he participated in all 23 games, even while overcoming a complete tear of his adductor muscle.

In the Stanley Cup Final against the Edmonton Oilers, Tkachuk made a substantial impact, scoring three goals and providing three assists in the final three matches. Beyond his contributions to the Panthers, Tkachuk also served as an alternate captain for the United States during the 4 Nations Face-Off, where the U.S. advanced past the round-robin stage before falling to Canada in a closely contested overtime matchup, ending with a score of 3-2. As Tkachuk considers potential surgery to fully address his adductor injury, his availability could be in jeopardy at the start of the 2025-26 season. However, this sacrifice is seen as a small price to pay in pursuit of another Stanley Cup championship.