Matthew Tkachuk is an American professional ice hockey forward who is an alternate captain for the Florida Panthers of the National Hockey League (NHL) as of 2024. He is the son of former NHL player Keith Tkachuk. Before the NHL, Tkachuk was selected by the London Knights in the first round of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL) Priority Selection draft. He played one season with the Knights, scoring 107 points in 57 games. In 2015-16, Tkachuk helped the Knights win the Memorial Cup, the OHL championship.
Matthew Tkachuk was one of the most highly-praised prospects leading up to the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Ranked as the second-best North American skater, he was widely regarded as a "bona fide future star" with a combination of elite skills and physical attributes. The Calgary Flames selected Tkachuk sixth overall in the first round of the 2016 NHL Entry Draft. Matthew Tkachuk was named an alternate captain for the Calgary Flames before the 2018-19 season, alongside Mikael Backlund and Sean Monahan. He set a new career high in points that season, and recorded his first NHL hat-trick in a 6-3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights. On March 15, 2019, Tkachuk became the first player from his draft class to reach 100 career assists. Tkachuk has been named to the NHL All-Star Game twice (2020, 2023). In 2022, he joined the Florida Panthers and won his first-ever Stanley Cup trophy as an alternate captain.
Also Read: Matthew Tkachuk Parents
Flames - Matthew Tkachuk Trade
The Flames traded Tkachuk because he did not want to stay in Calgary long-term. Tkachuk was a restricted free agent, which meant that the Flames had the right to match any offer sheet he signed with another team. However, On July 20, 2022, Tkachuk informed the Flames that he would not re-sign with the team for a long-term contract, so the team decided to trade him in order to get something in return for him before he left for free in the offseason as per The Athletic.
The Flames got Cole Schwindt, MacKenzie Weegar, Jonathan Huberdeau, and a lottery-protected first-round pick in 2025, in return for Tkachuk. Tkachuk signed an eight-year, $76 million contract with the Panthers prior to the trade.
Tkachuk had a breakout first season with the Panthers, scoring 109 points and finishing as a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league's most valuable player. He also helped lead the Panthers to the 2023 Stanley Cup Final, scoring four goals including three game-winners against the Carolina Hurricanes in the Eastern Conference Finals.
The trade was widely seen as a necessary move for the Flames, who were facing the prospect of losing Tkachuk for nothing in free agency. The Flames got a good return for Tkachuk, but they lost one of their best players.
FAQs on Matthew Tkachuk
A: The Flames traded Matthew Tkachuk because they knew he would leave in free agency, and they wanted to get something in return.
A: The Flames received Jonathan Huberdeau, Cole Schwindt, and MacKenzie Weegar from the Florida Panthers in exchange for Matthew Tkachuk.
A: Matthew Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers by the Flames in 2022.
A: Yes Matthew Tkachuk won the Stanley Cup as an alternate captain for the Panthers in the 2023-2024 season.
A: Yes, Matthew Tkachuk is the son of Keith Tkachuk, who played 18 seasons in the NHL.
