Checking in on Flames-Panthers blockbuster: Tkachuk thriving in Florida

On July 22, just as the hockey world finally seemed to be slipping into summer mode, the Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers shook things up with a massive, multi-player blockbuster trade.

At the centre of the transaction was something we’d never before seen in the NHL – a sign-and-trade! – with the Flames inking Matthew Tkachuk to an eight-year extension before sending him south to Florida. Tkachuk, a restricted free agent at the time, had weeks earlier made it clear he didn’t intend to sign long-term in Calgary and wanted to relocate. This, after the Flames were forced to bid farewell to fellow franchise face Johnny Gaudreau in free agency.

News of the July trade ushered in a decidedly different vibe around the team thanks to general manager Brad Treliving’s ability to turn what could’ve been a nightmare of an off-season into a dream return on the trade market.

In exchange for Tkachuk, Florida sent veteran forward Jonathan Huberdeau, cornerstone defenceman MacKenzie Weegar, offensive prospect Cole Schwindt, and a conditional first-round pick in the 2025 draft to Calgary. Accompanying Tkachuk to Florida was a conditional 2025 fourth-round pick. (The first-rounder is lottery-protected, and shifts to 2026 should it wind up being a top-three selection).

That Treliving signed UFA Nazem Kadri weeks later, thus completing the overhaul of his top line, was perhaps the biggest win of all. But that’s another story.

The trade that sent Tkachuk south to Sunrise and Huberdeau and MacKenzie into Saddledome will be a transaction that’s analyzed annually for years to come. It’s a unique case study, not just because all three players are locked-up long-term with their new clubs, and not on account of the valuable first-rounder involved, too, but because both teams were on a completely level playing field in terms of their place in the standings and expectations to contend.

Both the Flames (111 points) and Panthers (122) finished atop their respective divisions and entered the off-season with question marks as to how they’d navigate building a roster worthy of a real playoff run.

Saturday marks the first meeting between these two clubs since the blockbuster trade, giving us our first opportunity for a direct comparison – and a natural time to check in on the NHLers involved in the deal to see how they’re settling into their new homes. Both the Panthers and Flames find themselves once again in similar standing, each sitting fifth in their respective divisions heading into Saturday and looking to rebound from a loss.

It could be years before we can declare a winner of this trade, but in the meantime let’s take a look at how Tkachuk, Huberdeau, and Weegar are faring so far this season. 

After career year in Calgary, Tkachuk’s stock keeps rising

In Calgary in 2021-22, Tkachuk made up one third of the Flames’ first line alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Elias Lindholm, widely considered the top trio in the game thanks to their elite chemistry and consistent production. All three tallied career highs in goals, each hitting the 40-goal mark for the first time in their respective careers, and points. Gaudreau (115 points) and Tkachuk (104) both landed themselves in the top eight point-getters (Gaudreau ranked second, Tkachuk eighth).

Of the three, it was Tkachuk who saw the biggest jump in production in 2021-22, topping his previous personal-best in points by 27. Like Gaudreau, Tkachuk’s stock had never been higher than it was this past off-season.

Until now, perhaps. Tkachuk wasted no time at all getting comfortable upon arrival in Florida – and we’re not just talking about that golfcart lifestyle he’s so wholeheartedly embraced.

Sixteen games into his career as a Panther (he missed two last week after being suspended for high-sticking against L.A.) he’s racking up points at an even higher pace that last year, once again starring on his team’s thriving top line.

The 24-year-old opened the season with goals in back-to-back games, a five-game point streak, and a five-goal, 13-point month of October that saw him held off the score sheet just once in nine games. So far, November has been nearly as productive, with a trio of multi-point games including two three-assist nights for a total of nine points in six games this month heading into Saturday’s match with the Flames.

That production is a result of budding chemistry on Florida’s top line and embracing his role as a playmaker with Carter Verhaeghe and captain Aleksander Barkov. With Tkachuk and Barkov feeding him the puck, Verhaeghe is on pace for his highest goal total by a mile – his personal best is 24 scored last season, and he’s already at 11 this year.

Just as important as his statistical success, Tkachuk has also brought his trademark grit and energy to the Atlantic, where he’s been quick to ignite new divisional rivalries in the East (just ask the Sabres) while still fanning the flames of old ones in the West (Kings).

Tkachuk currently leads the Panthers in assists (16) and points (22) through 15 games.

Huberdeau struggling to find his place with slow start in Calgary

It didn’t take long for Huberdeau, who had one year remaining on his contract at the time of the trade, to see a future in Calgary. On Aug. 4, 13 days after the trade, Huberdeau signed an eight-year extension with the Flames worth $84 million – the richest deal in franchise history. When Huberdeau’s $10.5-million average annual value kicks in, nearly doubling his current $5.9-million cap hit, he’ll count for $1 million more per year against Calgary’s cap than Tkachuk will in Florida.

Like Tkachuk, Huberdeau was coming off the best season of his career at the time of the trade. His 85 assists in 2021-22 led the league while his 115 points – same total as Gaudreau – was good for second overall behind only Connor McDavid.

Huberdeau’s playmaking was off to a strong start in his first few games with the Flames, registering an assist in his first outing and four in his first four. His first goal with his new team, scored in the sixth game of the year, helped propel Calgary to its sixth win of the young season – their hottest start in franchise history.

And then things started to cool down for Huberdeau, whose chemistry with top linemates Lindholm and Tyler Toffoli had yet to really set in, prompting head coach Daryl Sutter to juggle his forward lines in search of a fit. Huberdeau’s struggles coincided with a seven-game losing streak, the first four of which saw No. 10 held off the score sheet before suffering a minor injury that sidelined him the next three.

Early in the slump, Huberdeau was called upon by Sutter to “speed his game up” and later on was among those called out by the coach for a lack of consistency. Huberdeau made it clear earlier this month he still has “a lot of work to do” and acknowledged his struggles and a need to “come back to the basics.”

He appeared to do just that in his return from injury Monday against the Kings, assigned to the third line alongside Mikael Backlund and Trevor Lewis – “Because we’ve slotted him everywhere else and it hasn’t worked,” said the always honest Sutter of the assignment. With his new linemates and a fresh start after a week sidelined, Huberdeau opened the scoring against the Kings five minutes in with his first even-strength goal of the year. He tallied an assist one game later in a loss to the Lightning and now has an opportunity to strike up a point streak against his old club on Saturday.

Weegar offering steady presence on Calgary’s inconsistent blue line

Unlike the other two NHLers in this trade, Weegar’s success isn’t as easily measured by goals and assists – despite the fact the rearguard tallied two assists in the season-opener, the defenceman’s biggest strength isn’t in his being an offensive driver.

He’s played most of his minutes paired with one of Chris Tanev or Nikita Zadorov on the second pair, and both pairings have been effective. Sutter’s qualms with Calgary’s defence – particularly its depth – have been well documented of late, but throughout it all Weegar has been consistently solid.

Lineup shuffling isn’t exactly something Weegar’s been subject to much, as his partnership with Panthers d-man Aaron Ekblad was well-established. He has yet to be part of a solid duo in Calgary, but Tanev seems like a good candidate if Sutter lets them stick.

Like Huberdeau, Weegar was also quick to find himself a long-term home with the Flames, inking an eight-year, $50-million deal just ahead of the season that kicks in next year.