Matthew Tkachuk gets NHL 26 cover

Florida Panthers superstar Matthew Tkachuk will be on the cover of NHL 26, EA Sports announced Monday.

He’s a tone-setter, a leader, and now a cover star.

Matthew Tkachuk is the face of #NHL26.

See the full reveal August 6th: https://t.co/gsLeVReKbu pic.twitter.com/S24tmSe834

— NHL (@NHL) August 4, 2025

Tkachuk is coming off another strong season, scoring 22 goals and adding 35 assists over 52 games while missing time with injury.

The 27-year-old helped lead the Panthers to a second straight Stanley Cup, netting eight goals over 23 playoff games with 15 helpers. He scored the championship-clinching goal in Game 6 against the Edmonton Oilers.

Tkachuk is the first Panther to be on the standard cover since goaltender John Vanbiesbrouck was the featured player for NHL 97. Olli Jokinen was on the European cover of NHL 2005 while with Florida.

EA Sports will announce the release date for the game Aug. 6.

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