FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. – There’s nothing to worry about with Brady Tkachuk.
Held out of the third period of Tuesday’s loss in Raleigh, the star forward is day-to-day but should be all set for next week’s season opener, according to head coach Paul Maurice.
“It’s going to take a handful of days to get right,” Maurice said.
Having already played in two preseason games -- the maximum number allowed for a skater with at least 100 career NHL games -- Tkachuk was already done with exhibitions.
Over the course of those two games, which both came against the Carolina Hurricanes, Tkachuk led the Panthers in goals (3) and points (5), while also dropping the gloves once.
It’s early, but the top line of Tkachuk, Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart looks lethal.
"He was awesome,” defenseman Niko Mikkola said after Tkachuk scored two goals, dished out an assist and dropped the gloves for a Gordie Howe hat trick in a 6-3 win over Carolina on Sunday. “Hitting guys, fighting, doing it all. Kind of what we expected. It was fun to see."
Acquired from the Ottawa Senators in a blockbuster trade in June, Tkachuk has notched 463 points (213G, 250A) and 1,921 hits in 572 games over his first eight NHL campaigns.
Stay tuned for more updates on Tkachuk’s status in the coming days.
MARCHAND SIGHTING
Working his way back from offseason surgery, Brad Marchand took a break from his rehab routine to join the first group during Wednesday’s training camp session at Baptist Health IcePlex.
With the Panthers dialing down the intensity after their notoriously grueling start to camp, the veteran forward was able to join the group for some light skating and skill work.
“It was really good to see him out there,” Maurice said. “It was early. He didn’t seem to have a problem with any of it. But it was that kind of day. It was a skills day. If we don’t have another day like that, you won’t see Brad jumping in on practices."
Preparing for his 18th season in the NHL, Marchand has recorded 1,034 points (451G, 583A) in 1,152 career regular-season games. A two-time Stanley Cup champion, the 38-year-old has also recorded 158 points (66G, 92A) in 180 career games in the postseason.
Still early in his rehab, it’s always great to see No. 63 on the ice.
“He’s certainly not behind, but I don’t know he’s necessarily ahead,” Maurice said. “He’s going to kind of start stressing that [injury], and then he’s going to push really hard.”
BIG VILLY STYLE
Last year couldn’t have gone much better for Sandis Vilmanis.
In addition to making his NHL debut and racking up five points (3G, 2A) in 19 games with the Panthers, the 22-year-old forward pulled double duty for Latvia on the national stage.
After competing at the Winter Olympics, Vilmanis went on to pace Latvia with 11 points (4G, 7A) at the World Championship, a total that also tied him for fifth-best scorer at the tournament.
“I had a really good chance to prove myself there,” Vilmanis said of his breakout at the World Championship. “The coach had trust in me, so I just had to use it. I had a lot of ice time, a lot of trust from the coach. I went out there, did the best I can, and it worked.”
With a spot on the third line opening due to Marchand’s injury, Vilmanis has been given a golden opportunity to keep building on his breakout. Early in camp, he’s had the first look in that spot alongside the duo of Anton Lundell and Eetu Luostarinen.
As of right now, it looks like he could very well still be in that coveted spot for Opening Night on Sept. 29 in Raleigh.
“It’s awesome,” Vilmanis smiled when asked about his new linemates. “They’re unbelievable players. From just like skating to IQ to the shots and the smoothness in their game, everything is unbelievable. I’m super grateful. It’s an amazing opportunity, but I have to use it. I have to build and work for it.”
A great find by the Panthers scouting department in the 2022 NHL Draft, Vilmanis, who was selected in the fifth round (157th overall), has earned praise for his good stick, long reach and a relentless motor, which makes him a perfect fit for Florida’s heavy forechecking and up-tempo system.
In short, the Panthers see tons of potential.
"I think he's a top-nine player all day long,” Maurice said of Vilmanis. “We don't have to wait three years for him to be impactful. If you’re waiting on stats, waiting for him to get the confidence to make plays and score goals, you can get real tired of that as a coach. Sandis can come out and be really strong defensively right from the get-go. He's got enough in his game right now for me to just play him. ... I've got lots of faith in that young man."
Professing their long-term confidence in the form of a pep and paper, the Panthers inked Vilmanis to a two-year contract extension commencing with the 2027-28 season on July 1.
While things have certainly picked up speed over the past year, the young Latvian is still just enjoying the ride.
“That just builds my confidence,” Vilmanis said.
