Report: Three teams were pursuing Tkachuk; Florida won the bid but these two teams were reportedly right there

Florida traded: Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, Cole Schwindt and a 2025 1st round pick (lottery protected)

Flames traded: Matthew Tkachuk and a 2025 conditional 4th round pick

Well, what many didn't know and what DFO's Frank Seravalli reported late Friday night is that there were two other teams that were in on the Tkachuk sweeps right down to the wire. Per Seravalli, those two teams were the Carolina Hurricanes and the St. Louis Blues.

As far as the Blues rumours go, Jordan Kyrou was the piece being reported over the last couple of days who would have acted as the centerpiece for any deal involving Tkachuk, a St. Louis native. As far as the Canes go, I wouldn't even venture to guess who might have been going the other way.

Seravalli claimed that it was Florida's ability to include a 100-point player in the deal that was a real difference-maker for the Flames. The addition of a solid top-4 defenseman as well likely pushed the Cats over the top.

While both Huberdeau and Weegar are pending UFA's, I'd imagine that Calgary will try to re-sign both of them this summer. If GM Brad Treliving isn't able to come to terms this summer or during the season, he'll certainly be able to flip both players at or ahead of the deadline for significant assets. Despite being in a tough spot, Treliving certainly made out like a bandit in this one.