Matthew Tkachuk Injury: Options for the Florida Panthers

The Florida Panthers were without star Matthew Tkachuk Saturday against Seattle after he sustained what appears to be a groin injury at the NHL’s 4 Nations Face-Off playing for Team USA.

How long Tkachuk will be dealing with this injury is the big unknown.

Although Tkachuk missed one game, it probably will be more.

On Monday morning, coach Paul Maurice told the Joe Rose Show that Tkachuk could “miss some time.’’

Renaud Lavoie of Canada’s TVA reported Saturday there is concern Tkachuk’s season could be over.

“We’re waiting for important medical results,” Lavoie said during the Montreal-Ottawa game.

“We’re hearing his year might be over, we don’t want it to be, but there’s some concern.”

Those around the Panthers who spoke with FHN on Saturday indicated nothing of the sort.

Maurice said Tkachuk “will play for us this year.’’

So now we wait, and see.

If Tkachuk ends up being out for an extended period due to the injury, Florida’s obvious move is to put him on long-term injured reserve — but only if it appears this will keep him out of the lineup for more than just a few games.

Such a drastic move has its advantages, and certainly has its disadvantages.

With the NHL Trade Deadline coming in two weeks, do the pros overweigh those cons?