Breaking: Tkachuk informs the Flames that he has no intention of staying in Calgary long-term
Oh boy - if the news surrounding the Calgary Flames and Matthew Tkachuk wasn't spicy enough already, The Athletic's Jeremy Rutherford just dropped an absolute bombshell that is going to leave a lot of Flames fans hanging their heads.
Per Rutherford, Tkachuk informed the Flames today that he will not be willing to accept a deal to remain in Calgary long-term. Rutherford was very quick to point out in his report that Tkachuk has not formally requested a trade, but he certainly made it clear that his plans are to continue his career elsewhere, sooner than later.
The 24-year-old is a restricted free agent this summer and was originally thought to be a potential candidate for an offer sheet after electing not to file for salary arbitration. Reading the situation, the Flames forced club-elected salary arbitration to erase the possibility of Tkachuk being able to pursue and offer sheet, and also disables him from being able to sign his qualifying offer.
The likely outcome here is either that the two sides come together on a short term deal of 1 or potentially 2 years - or that the Flames find a new home for the budding young star sooner than later and trigger a full blown rebuild.
What a way to start the summer for Flames fans.. losing two 100-point players in one offseason - though I suppose if Tkachuk's deal ends up being 2 years, the Flames could hold out until the trade deadline and try to catch teams when they are most desperate to add a difference maker, right before the playoffs. They'd be unlikely to get a lot for Tkachuk as a pure rental, but with an additional year on his deal, I'd imagine he'd fetch a premium.
