Backlash is Matthew Tkachuk’s middle name. From injury-related criticism during the 4 Nations Face-Off to sparking controversy for taking the Stanley Cup to prison during celebrations, Tkachuk’s every move is under public scrutiny. But today, it’s not just the Florida Panthers star forward. It’s the entire Tkachuk family, which has come under the spotlight on social media. A fresh update about the family went viral, and boy, it has stirred the pot in all kinds of ways. The floodgates of intense and mixed reactions from fans across the hockey world have opened.

On August 6, 2025, Bleacher Report hit fans with a video on X, with a caption that read, “Matthew Tkachuk is on the cover of NHL26, but the NHL26 Deluxe cover tributes the entire Tkachuk family 👏🎮.” Per a detailed report from NHL.com, the Florida Panthers and EA Sports officially revealed on August 6 that star forward Matthew Tkachuk will feature in the cover of the upcoming EA SPORTS NHL 26 video game while Tkachuk himself broke the news on August 3. Cue plot twist, the deluxe edition will also spotlight his brother, Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk, and their father, former NHL great Keith Tkachuk, making this a Tkachuk family tribute. 

Matthew Tkachuk, who will be the accentuated athlete across both editions of this year’s game, said, “My dad, Brady, and I are all unique and play the way we want to. Sharing the cover of NHL 26 is an extension of that. I’ve always tried to bring my own style to the ice, and seeing that captured in NHL 26 makes it feel like it is really me out there.” Despite being limited to just 52 games in 2024-25 due to injury, Matthew Tkachuk still finished third on the Panthers roster in scoring during the 2024-25 regular season. 

Interestingly, Tkachuk has become the first Florida Panther to be on the cover of the video game since John Vanbiesbrouck in 1997. In the EA Sports NHL 97 edition, Vanbiesbrouck made history by also being the first ever goaltender to be featured on the cover of the NHL series. Vanbiesbrouck, a Vezina Trophy winner, was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 2007 for his accomplishments.

The NHL series has always chosen accomplished players over the season. Now, this is where conflicts of opinion arise. Tkachuk has been brilliant himself during this season’s play-offs. After his trade to the Panthers from the Calgary Flames in 2022, he has cemented himself as a prominent personality in the locker room who is larger than life. Despite the injury woes and the LTIR controversy, Tkachuk has been the rallying factor behind the Panthers’ two-peat Stanley Cup victories. Having said that, is this enough to represent the league to the masses on a cover? This brings us to the backlash part.

Fans heavily criticize the choice of Matthew Tkachuk and his family 

If you’re wondering how hockey enthusiasts reacted to this news, look no further. Under Bleacher Report’s post, one fan’s comment read, “Absolutely nobody outside of Florida or Ottawa likes the Tkachuks”. Another one declared that the game probably won’t sell, “This might be the lowest-selling NHL game yet.” Some fans brought up very valid points. The honor of being featured can belong to an array of names, for an unlocked achievement or the greater good.

A few hockey bugs questioned EA Sports’ choice, “Not the Gaudreau brothers?” The Gaudreau brothers continue to impact the sport even after their tragic demise. Deserving to be on a cover is the Gaudreau family. Fair enough, we aren’t refuting it. On the other hand, there is Alex Ovechkin, who surpassed the great Gretzky’s 894 goals record. Ovechkin has been commemorated in various ways, being featured on NHL26 would’ve been justified, too. Hence, this comment resonates: “WHY? Ovi or Gaudreau, and nobody else.” 

Someone even took a dig at Matthew’s LTIR issue, saying, “Expecting the game to also regularly land on LTIR. Good cover for bugs & glitches.” This one is creative. If the game were to ever glitch or hang, the reason could be that the software is on LTIR just like Tkachuk’s forever LTIR. Do you agree with the backlash? Which side are you on? Tell us in a comment?