The Calgary Flames have signed restricted free agent Matthew Tkachuk to a three-year bridge deal worth $7 million per year, according to Sportsnet’s Ryan Leslie.
Tkachuk, 21, is coming off a dominant 2018-19 campaign in which he posted career highs across the board — 34 goals, 43 assists and 77 points. The Scottsdale, Ariz., native’s 34 tallies tied Sean Monahan for second-most on the team, while Tkachuk’s 77 points ranked fourth among Flames skaters.
The sterling effort came after rookie and sophomore campaigns that saw continued growth from the former London Knight, with Tkachuk upping his offensive totals from 13 goals and 48 points in Year 1 to 24 goals and 49 points in Year 2.
With his entry-level deal finishing up at the conclusion of the 2018-19 campaign, Tkachuk entered the off-season as part of a star-studded class of RFAs, many of whom similarly signed deals late in the summer.
Knights linemate Mitch Marner signed a new extension earlier this month, earning a $10.893-million cap hit over six years, while forwards Brock Boeser and Brayden Point each signed three-year bridge deals more recently — for $5.875 million per year and $6.75 million per year, respectively. Other young stars, such as Winnipeg duo Patrik Laine and Kyle Connor, and Colorado forward Mikko Rantanen, remain unsigned.
Tkachuk’s new deal will make him the Flames’ highest-paid player moving forward, just above Johnny Gaudreau ($6.75-million cap hit), captain Mark Giordano ($6.75-million cap hit) and Sean Monahan ($6.375-million cap hit) who have thus far led the way.
September 25, 2019
Calgary Flames
