The Calgary Flames were three wins away from making it to the Western Conference Final mere months ago. Now? Star Johnny Gaudreau has left in free agency to join the Columbus Blue Jackets and Matthew Tkachuk is likely headed to the trade market.
On Wednesday, Jeremy Rutherford and Hailey Salvian of The Athletic dropped a bombshell on a hockey world that is just settling in for a long summer. Reportedly, Tkachuk has told the Flames he will not sign long-term — the 24-year-old is a restricted free agent — and that a trade out of Calgary is likely.
Tkachuk is also due for quite the pay raise after putting up a career-high 42 goals and 104 points in the 2021-22 season. The departure of Gaudreau — who had a career-high 115 points himself — clearly did the Flames negotiations with Tkachuk no favors, as the team is set to lose two players off their top line in a rough offseason.
This is my understanding of the Tkachuk/#Flames timeline:
-Tkachuk camp informed Calgary late last week they don’t intend to sign long-term.
-Calgary decided to go to arbitration to avoid a July 22nd QO deadline.
-Team has been working with potential trade partners since then.
— Pat Steinberg (@Fan960Steinberg) July 20, 2022
With a Tkachuk trade likely imminent this summer, here are the eight NHL teams that should trade for the talented young winger.