“This was something to pursue” – Forward player Matthew Tkachuk yearns to play for Panthers “for the rest of my career”
Follow Us
Matthew Tkachuk excited to be part of the Predators
Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk said he wants to play for the Florida Panthers for the remaining of his NHL years. Since talks of his trade with the Flames started, the Panthers have always been the team he wanted to go to. Tkachuk has made it clear that he isn’t looking for long-term deals with his team for the future.
On Monday after his trade by the Flames to the Panthers, he stated, “I want to be here for the rest of my career”. “I’m 24 [years old] and I had six unbelievable years in Calgary, and that was the best place for me to be at the time. Looking ahead, I’ve signed for eight years, but in my mind, I’m here for eight-plus.” In this trade, the Flames acquired winger Jonathan Huberdeau and defenceman MacKenzie Weegar.
Matthew Tkachuk is excited to be part of the Florida Panthers
Matthew Tkachuk signed an 8-year contract with the Calgary Flames before he was traded. His contract details are not yet revealed as of now. In the last season, he led the Flames with a career-high of 104 points in 42 goals and 62 assists in 82 games and with 12 power-play goals and 29-power-play points. He ranks 2nd in his former team with 104 points, 62 assists, 75 even-strength points, and 26 multipoint games. Tkachuk was also named to the Second All-Star Team following the regular season.
As noted on nhl.com, the Panthers general manager Bill Zito said on Monday, “It wasn’t something that, during the process of evaluation, that we would even fathom could be possible: a 24-year-old, a 100-point guy who’s tough as nails”. “When you have the ability to get this type of asset and add this to this young core that’s growing together – that materialized as a reality, and rather quickly, we had to decide rather quickly this was something to pursue.”
Tkachuk is busy getting comfortable with the Panthers’ lifestyle as of this moment. He’s been focused on the Battle of Alberta games against the Oilers and Flames for the first seven of his NHL career. He has now shifted his attention to the Battle of Florida between the Panthers and Lightning. He said, “I said earlier, I hate Edmonton, but I hate Tampa [Bay] more now”. “I’m excited for those games. They’re the team to beat right now. For us, we’re going to have to go through them at some point, so I’m excited for that challenge.”
Also Read| “His game speaks for itself” – Connor McDavid endorses Jack Campbell’s signing with Oilers
Do follow us on: Google news | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Stay Updated!
Kaushani Chatterjee
(2141 Articles Published)