The Calgary Flames are the talk of the 2022 NHL Offseason. Johnny Gaudreau is headed to the Columbus Blue Jackets after signing a shocking deal with the team in mid-July. Now, after much speculation, Matthew Tkachuk is also looking to be employed elsewhere this offseason.
This is according to The Athletic, which reported that Tkachuk told the Flames that he would not sign another deal with the organization. Along with this, he gave the Flames a list of potential landing spots. The restricted free agent is interested in the St. Louis Blues, Las Vegas Knights, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators, and the Dallas Stars.
The Athletic also notes that the New Jersey Devils and New York Rangers both expressed interest in Matthew Tkachuk in the past.
This news comes just days after the Flames filed for club-elected arbitration on Tkachuk's next contract. According to the team's tweet on Monday, the move allows the organization to “continue to work with his [Tkachuk] representatives towards a contractual resolution while removing the possibility of an offer sheet.”
While it's unclear when Tkachuk's case will be decided, a hearing will be held between July 27 and August 11 (per The Athletic). And, if they do go into arbitration, he would be granted a one-year contract.
There has been a lot of speculation that Matthew Tkachuk wants to be traded. While he hasn't asked for this specifically, his conversation with the Flames fuels these rumors even more so.