The NHL offseason is usually the slow time for rumors after free agent frenzy ends, but the NHL trade rumors mill continues to churn. Matthew Tkachuk’s name keeps floating around that he will not re-sign in Calgary and be traded at some point before the NHL season starts.
NHL Analyst Dave Poulin was on TSN 1050 Radio and believes that Tkachuk will be traded this offseason.
With the Calgary Flames filing for a club-elected arbitration, it prevents other NHL teams from giving Tkachuk an offer sheet. The Flames are not in rebuild mode, so they do not want four first round draft picks for Tkachuk. They want good players.
Poulin went on to say in his radio hit that a Tkachuk trade could take some time as interested teams need to clear salary cap space to take on his contract.
The St. Louis Blues still seem to be the logical Tkachuk destination, as they have the players, prospects, draft picks to offer the Flames. The Philadelphia Flyers would love to land Tkachuk, but they are in salary cap hell.
A dark horse team could be the Buffalo Sabres. They have the assets and salary cap room to complete a trade for Tkachuk.
A very long shot could be the Ottawa Senators. They have the assets and I am sure Matthew would love to play with Brady Tkachuk.
I feel bad for Calgary. Had a great team, now back to square one with two elite players gone.