Matthew Tkachuk publicly slams Canadian hockey fans for how they treat Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews
Before Auston Matthews had signed his 4-year contract extension with the Leafs, there was a ton of speculation that he wanted to leave Canada and play for a U.S. based team next summer - possibly New York, Los Angeles or for his home State Arizona Coyotes.
A lot of the speculation came from the fact that Matthews is an American-born player playing in Canada. The prevailing thought before he signed his deal, which will keep him in Canada for the next 5 years, was that American players don't like playing in Canada. While it's not true in Matthews' case, it is true for one of his close friends in Matthew Tkachuk.
During a recent interview, Tkachuk revealed that he found it tough to play north of the border after spending 6 years with the Calgary Flames. In the summer of 2022, Tkachuk requested a trade out of Calgary, landing himself in Florida and signing an 8-year extension.
Tkachuk, as most already know, is very close with both Auston Matthews and Mitch Marner. One of the things that irks him the most about Canada is how rabid the fans are up here and how fans treat Matthews and Marner when they go through a rough patch, when the Leafs lose a game to a bottom-feeder or when they're eliminated from a playoff series.
"I appreciate the fact that it's tough. Playing in Canada is very different with the spotlight and the history. What I've noticed in the difference between playing in Canada and Florida is the highs and the lows.
So I think for them [Matthews and Marner], maybe, and they're unbelievable talents, but unless they win the Stanley Cup, they're basically getting crucified and it's not their fault; it's kind of just the way it is. I know that they're mentally tough enough, and I know them well, and they've been able to handle it and have kept getting better and better in their careers in each year. But I know, seeing it from afar, nothing against here, but I know I wouldn't want to deal with it on any given day."
So I think for them [Matthews and Marner], maybe, and they're unbelievable talents, but unless they win the Stanley Cup, they're basically getting crucified and it's not their fault; it's kind of just the way it is. I know that they're mentally tough enough, and I know them well, and they've been able to handle it and have kept getting better and better in their careers in each year. But I know, seeing it from afar, nothing against here, but I know I wouldn't want to deal with it on any given day."
With his new 8-year deal kicking in this season, Tkachuk won't have to worry about spending any length of time in Canada, as he'll be in Florida for the rest of his prime years. As for Matthews and Marner, they don't appear to be too concerned with how they're perceived on social media and both seem fine with playing in Canada.
| POLL | ||
SEPTEMBRE 23 | 1203 ANSWERS Matthew Tkachuk publicly slams Canadian hockey fans for how they treat Mitch Marner and Auston Matthews Do you agree or disagree with Matthew Tkachuk's take on how Canadian fans treat Matthews and Marner? | ||
| Agree with him | 621 | 51.6 % |
| Disagree with him | 151 | 12.6 % |
| He should stay in his lane | 431 | 35.8 % |
| List of polls | ||
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