NHL Rumors: Is Matthew Tkachuk heading to the trading block?
Anthony Scultore
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Things are certainly taking a weird turn for the Calgary Flames as Matthew Tkachuk has become a major figure in the latest run of NHL rumors.
Flames GM, Brad Treliving said he move “heaven and earth” to keep pending UFA Johnny Gaudreau in Flames’ red and he echoed similar sentiments about Tkachuk.
As Gaudreau sits on an 8-year offer believed to be worth $9.5M per season for the last several weeks, many teams are wondering about Tkachuk.
“There are teams that are waiting to pounce on Matthew Tkachuk potentially if they think Johnny Gaudreau’s leaving,” Pierre LeBrun said on TSN. “That would impact Tkachuck in maybe not wanting to sigh longterm in Calgary.”
NHL Rumors: Matthew Tkachuk
Tkachuck, 24, is a restricted free agent with arbitration rights that just completed a three-year deal worth $7 million per season. His qualifying offer, due on July 11th will be $9 million. If Tkachuk is only willing to sign short term, he is eligible to become an unrestricted free agent at 27.
That possibility is why Tkachuk trade rumors are starting to quickly escalate with the NHL Draft tonight at 7PM ET.
And why wouldn’t they?
Tkachuk is a beast of a player that registered 42 goals and 104 points in 82 games last season. For his career, the native of Scottsdale, Arizona has 382 points in 431 contests.
So will Tkachuk be traded? I highly doubt it.
Even if Gaudreau leaves and he’s unwilling to sign a max term contract (only the Flames can give him 8 years), I believe they will keep him as long as they can and deal with it when the time comes.
While this is a fun rumor to discuss (outside of Flames’ fans), I just don’t see it being anything that will come about at this draft.
