It seems like the hits just keep coming for the Calgary Flames this off-season and now for the second time in two weeks, the team has lost another 40-goal scorer, this time sending Matthew Tkachuk packing to the Florida Panthers.
It almost seemed like the Panthers weren’t going to make any big moves this offseason but it’s not too often when something like this comes across the General Manager’s desk.
It seemed that Matthew Tkachuk was unhappy with the Flames organization and that maybe was prompted by Johnny Gaudreau leaving the team in free agency to sign with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
On Tkachuk’s end of it, maybe he saw that the Flames weren’t going to be as competitive in the next few years and decided that he was going to try and get moved to a contending team.
Matthew Tkachuk has been dealt by the Flames to the Panthers.
Tkachuk apparently went as far as making comments about how he wasn’t going to re-sign with Calgary as a restricted free agent, and that is what could have prompted this move to happen.
Upon being moved by the Panthers, Tkachuk inked a massive 8-year extension worth $76 million with his new team, and that is what is to be expected from a 40-goal scorer of Tkachuk’s caliber.
The Panthers gave up a lot to receive Matthew Tkachuk’s services as they sent Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar to Calgary, as well as prospect Cole Schwindt and their 1st rounder in 2025.
The move leaves the Panthers without a 1st round pick until the 2026 NHL entry draft.
How Does This Trade Affect Each Team?
As far as the Flames are concerned on this, it is an amazing haul, but it could be short-lived, as Huberdeau and Weegar are both going to be playing on expiring deals this coming season.
The team will have to focus on trying to keep these assets they received in Calgary, but it won’t be easy, as both players are going to be unrestricted free agents and could choose to leave the team altogether.
Those departures would be detrimental to Calgary and only leave them with Schwindt and the 2025 1st round pick.
For the Panthers, it’s a great deal to get Tkachuk, and it will make them so much more competitive in the playoffs having someone like Tkachuk who likes to play with an edge night in and night out.
He is also highly skilled with a ton of grit and that is something the Panthers have been lacking for quite some time. The downfall for the Panthers here will be the future pipeline. As mentioned above, they don’t have a 1st round pick to play with until 2026.