New York. A real bombshell happened in the NHL last night.
The Florida Panthers sent Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Wigar, and a first-round pick to the Calgary Flames in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk — and they immediately ensured they signed their new star to an eight-year, $775 million contract.
Matthew has a unique set of skills, says Florida State Director General Bill Zito.
You’re supposed to be off-season and quiet in the NHL now, with roughly two months left until training camps start, but no.
In the middle of the past high summer night, hit Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers for one of the coolest triathlons implemented in recent years.
It was known per se that the Flames had plans to trade Matthew Tkachuk, as he recently announced that he did not want to sign a new long-term contract with the club, but the deal came faster than expected – and the exchange was exciting, to say the least.
The Flames get Jonathan Huberdeau – who finished second in goalscoring this season – plus backcourt partner Aaron Ekblad MacKenzie Weegar and young talent Cole Schwindt and a conditional first-round selection in the 2025 draft.
Granted, both Huberdeau and Weegar play with expired contracts in the 22-23 season, but still. Flames fans cannot be unhappy with this replacement. Coincidentally, the last time Huberdeau captured the exact same number of points Johnny Goudreu – The other big star lost Calgary when the free agency opened last week.
A stubborn and physical fighter
Satisfaction appears to be high in South Florida as well. Once the deal was completed, general manager Bill Zito announced that Tkachuk had signed an eight-year contract worth a total of 9.5 million per season – or a total of 775 million crowns.
“Matthew is a stubborn physical fighter with a unique set of skills,” Zito told The Associated Press.
He has grown into one of the most complete and dynamic talents in the NHL, and we are excited to sign such talent.
Matthew Tkachuk is the son of former star Keith Tkachuk – and older brother of Ottawa captain Brady. They are now part of the same squad and in the coming years will go up in one epic battle.