Florida Panthers begin their title defense without Matthew Tkachuk after offseason adductor repair, sidelined for at least two months and possibly until after the All-Star break. He battled torn adductor and sports hernia last season, but surgery aims to secure full health for the stretch run. The Panthers’ bid for a rare three-peat hinges on depth and timely returns.

Tkachuk posted 57 points in 52 games, plus 23 in 23 playoff games, propelling Florida to back-to-back Cups. His absence tests the roster’s balance and schedule risk as fantasy managers weigh early-season line usage and which players step up to carry the load early on.

Matthew Tkachuk will miss the start of the 2025 season after surgery, leaving Florida to navigate an early schedule without its top catalyst. He posted 57 points in 52 regular-season games and 23 postseason points, including a key three-goal Final run, before the setback. The Panthers open Oct. 7 against Chicago, amplifying depth-testing pressures for fantasy managers without their anchor on offense.

Despite the setback, Florida remains a title-contending roster, but fantasy values shift as the load must be redistributed. Tkachuk’s contract and leadership carry weight, yet early returns hinge on how quickly depth players and line mates step up and how the power play adjusts without him.

Thomas Muller captained Vancouver Whitecaps in a dramatic 3-2 comeback, scoring a stoppage-time penalty to seal the win over St. Louis City SC. Vancouver erased a 2-1 deficit with Brian White’s MLS-leading 14th goal and Daniel Rios’s 79th-minute header after coming off the bench. Eduard Lowen and Joao Klauss had struck earlier for STL, as Vancouver answered a shaky start with relentless pressure and late-game execution.

The crowd at BC Place roared as Muller, in his MLS debut start, delivered the decisive moment from the spot following a video review. Vancouver controlled play after halftime, with Sabbi and Berhalter providing dangerous service, while Takaoka repelled STL chances. The result tightens Vancouver’s posture in the standings and adds intrigue to upcoming fixtures.

Up next, Vancouver hosts Philadelphia Union as STL heads home to face Houston Dynamo. The night underscored Vancouver’s depth and Muller’s immediate spark, a blueprint for fantasy managers weighing new MLS signings and late-season surges.