“Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else” – Flames trade Matthew Tkachuk to Panthers for Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar

“Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else” – Flames trade Matthew Tkachuk to Panthers for Jonathan Huberdeau and MacKenzie Weegar

Jonathan Huberdeau, Matthew Tkachuk, and MacKenzie Weegar

On Friday forward Matthew Tkachuk was traded to Florida Panthers by the Calgary Flames for forward player Jonathan Huberdeau and defenceman MacKenzie Weegar. Tkachuk signed an eight-year contract after becoming a restricted free agent. This contract will take him through the 2029-30 season, though financial terms were not disclosed.

On Sunday, Tkachuk told “SportsCenter”, “A lot went into it, a lot of thinking”. “I came to this conclusion of what I wanted to do and go elsewhere probably about a week, week and a half ago, maybe, and kind of just from then, just figuring out where I wanted to go.” 

He continued, “I had a few teams that I was willing to go to, but a lot had to do with everything on ice-off ice lifestyle. I’m at a perfect place, exactly where I want to be right now in Florida. Ecstatic, excited to get down there. I’m going down in a couple of days and can’t wait to see it all.”

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Matthew Tkachuk was traded to the Panthers by the Calgary Flames

Matthew Tkachuk traded to Panthers
Matthew Tkachuk traded to the Panthers

Matthew Tkachuk’s hearing was scheduled for August 11. The Flames filed club-elected salary arbitration as he clarified he wasn’t interested in signing any long-term contract with the team. Panthers won the President’s Trophy last season with the best regular-season record 58-18-6 in NHL. Since winning the Cup in 1996 in a 6-game victory against the Washington Capitals in the Eastern Conference First Round. Later they fell prey to the Lightning in the best-of-7 season round.

As for his trade to the Panthers, Tkachuk said, “I chose the Florida Panthers, first and foremost, how great of a team they are and how great of a chance they have to win,” Tkachuk said. “They’ve put themselves in a position the last few years to ultimately win (the Stanley Cup) and have come up short. Hopefully, I’m the guy that can put them over the edge.”

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As noted on nhl.com, Tkachuk continued, “On the ice, it’s one thing. Off the ice, it’s a great place to live, picturing myself there for the next eight-plus years, hopefully, the rest of my career. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else in Florida.” Drafted during the 2016 NHL draft by the Flames, Tkachuk recorded a total of 383 points in 431 regular-season games and 15 points in 27 playoff games.

Panthers general manager Bill Zito said, “Matthew is a tenacious, physical competitor who possesses a tremendously unique skill set”. “We are thrilled to be able to add a generational talent to our lineup.” On the other hand, Jonathan Huberdeau had a career-high of 115 points in 80 last season games, and MacKenzie Weegar had 44 points in 80 regular-season games with 1 assist in 10 playoff games.

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