“Using the Vegas formula” – Fans SLAM Panthers as Stanley Cup champions place Matthew Tkachuk on LTIR and free up $8.7 million in cap space

Matthew Tkachuk has scored 22 goals and has picked up 35 assists (57 points) during the 2024-25 regular season so far.

“Using the Vegas formula” – Fans SLAM Panthers as Stanley Cup champions place Matthew Tkachuk on LTIR and free up $8.7 million in cap space

Matthew Tkachuk (Image via Florida Hockey Now)

The Florida Panthers made a huge move on Sunday. The reigning Stanley Cup champions placed forward Matthew Tkachuk on the long-term injured reserve (LTIR) list and freed up $8.7 million in cap space.

The American international has been in the center stage in the past few weeks. While representing his country at the 4 Nations Face-Off, he stole the headlines, along with his brother Brady Tkachuk, for their actions during the international tournament.

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In the group stage game against Canada, he suffered a lower-body injury and missed some parts of the third period. He would later miss the game against Sweden due to this blow.

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The 27-year-old did return in the championship game on Thursday but was unable to make a huge impact. He did not skate in the third period and the OT period in his team’s 3-2 loss against Canada. Since that loss, he has missed all four games of the Panthers.

His team has now placed him on the LTIR and freed up $8.7 million in cap space. With the trade deadline on the horizon, the Panthers could use this space to make trades, sign free agents or claim players from the waivers.

Tkachuk has been one of the top performers on his team this season. In the 52 games he has played, he has picked up 22 goals and 35 assists to sit on 57 points.

The Panthers currently sit behind the Toronto Maple Leafs in 2nd position in the Atlantic Division standings. If things do stay that way, they will reach the playoffs where Tkachuk could return to the team.

Social media reacts to Panthers placing Matthew Tkachuk on the LTIR list

Matthew Tkachuk‘s injury during the 4 Nations Face-Off has led to his team placing him on the LTIR. This move from the Florida Panthers comes at a time when the teams are pushing hard to make it to the Stanley Cup playoffs.

Matthew Tkachuk
Matthew Tkachuk (Image via ESPN)

The usage of LTIR during the final few weeks of the season has been highly criticized by fans. In recent years, the Vegas Golden Knights have been accused by users on social media of exploiting this rule.

Florida Panthers placing Tkachuk on the LTIR has aroused speculation among fans. Many would slam them with one fan writing, “By god theyre using the Vegas formula.“

Check out that and some other top reactions from X below:

A few days ago, the Panthers did make a roster update. They acquired defenseman Seth Jones from the Chicago Blackhawks in a trade while giving up goaltender Spencer Knight and one 1st round draft pick in the 2026 NHL draft. Jones had been highly critical of the Blackhawks recently and was likely to be traded before the deadline.