Panthers Probably Don’t Win The Stanley Cup Without Matthew Tkachuk LTIR Stint

Panthers Probably Don’t Win The Stanley Cup Without Matthew Tkachuk LTIR Stint

Two things can be true. Matthew Tkachuk is a total warrior for battling through his set of injuries, and the Panthers probably don’t win the Stanley Cup without his LTIR stint.

And before I start, let’s just get this out of the way. The Panthers played this within the rules. Tkachuk’s injuries absolutely qualified the Panthers for LTIR. I’m not calling them out for any wrongdoing the way I am with the Oilers and Evander Kane. There’s just no way you can deny that LTIR is what put the Panthers over the top.

Tkachuk, 27, got injured at the 4 Nations, but it turned into a total blessing in disguise. His money ($9.5 million AAV) got shifted to LTIR. Without that taking place, the Seth Jones trade never happens. Then Aaron Ekblad gets popped for steroids, and more money gets freed up. Insert Brad Marchand into the equation.

Marchand and Jones really put this team over the top. Jones led the Panthers in ice time during the playoffs, and Marchand did what he did best. That third line with Marchand, Lundell, and Luostarinen carved all postseason.

The NBA Needs An LTIR Rule

Personally, I like the LTIR rule. General Manager Bill Zito is smart, and smart people should be rewarded. It rewards real builders, and it’s clear Zito had a plan of action. I’m not here trying to trash the rule. I’m just here to remind people that there’s no way Florida is this dominant without LTIR coming into the equation.

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