It’s been a long time since a Florida Panthers player graced the cover of a major NHL video game. Much like the franchise’s extended playoff drought, decades between playoff series wins and 30 years without a championship, it was another streak that was due to end. On Monday, EA Sports and the NHL announced that Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk would be the cover athlete for NHL 26. It’s a very logical selection. Tkachuk has helped Florida win back-to-back Stanley Cups and the Panthers are looking like the league’s next dynasty. His ability to play such a unique style, equally combining elite hockey skills with relentless effort and physicality while also holding a mental edge over his opponents, has made Tkachuk one of the most polarizing players in the game. It’s the first time a Panthers player has been selected for the cover of an EA Sports NHL release since John Vanbiesbrouck on NHL 97. A full preview for the game is set to come out on Wednesday [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TI79ySF0N0g], and the game itself is reportedly set for a Sept. 13 release. LATEST STORIES FROM THE HOCKEY NEWS - FLORIDA Would Panthers' Aleksander Barkov Need to Reach 100 Points To Receive Hart Trophy Consideration? [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/players/would-panthers-aleksander-barkov-need-to-reach-100-points-to-receive-hart-trophy-consideration] Newton native Mackie Samoskevich brings Stanley Cup to Sandy Hook Memorial during hometown visit [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/newton-native-mackie-samoskevich-brings-stanley-cup-to-sandy-hook-memorial-during-hometown-visit] Pair Of Former Panthers Defenseman Invited To Canada's Olympic Orientation Camp [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/pair-of-former-panthers-defenseman-invited-to-canada-s-olympic-orientation-camp] Team Canada invites 5 Florida Panthers players to Olympic orientation camp [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/team-canada-invites-5-florida-panthers-players-to-olympic-orientation-camp] The Hockey Show: Ken Daneyko sees a lot of his Stanley Cup Devils teams in current Panthers squad [https://thehockeynews.com/nhl/florida-panthers/latest-news/the-hockey-show-key-daneyko-sees-a-lot-of-his-stanley-cup-devils-teams-in-current-panthers-squad] Photo caption: Jun 24, 2024; Sunrise, Florida, USA; Florida Panthers forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) hoists the Stanley Cup after defeating Edmonton Oilers in game seven of the 2024 Stanley Cup Final at Amerant Bank Arena. (Jim Rassol-Imagn Images)
