The most interesting development about Tkachuk’s placement on LTIR is that it frees up $9.5 million in cap space, setting up the Panthers to make additions ahead of Friday’s trade deadline, exploiting a widely known NHL salary cap loophole.

Seth Jones impressed his Florida Panthers teammates in his debut Monday night, but it’s anyone’s guess when Matthew Tkachuk will be sharing the ice with his newest teammate.

The Florida Panthers added defense to bolster their repeat of a Stanley Cup win. Now the question with Matthew Tkachuk put on injured reserve is whether they have another move coming.