FRIBOURG, SWITZERLAND - MAY 28: Matthew Tkachuk of United States during the 2026 IIHF Ice hockey, Eishockey World Championship, WM, Weltmeisterschaft Switzerland game between Canada and USA at BCF Arena on May 28, 2026 in Fribourg, Fribourg. Fribourg BCF Arena Fribourg Switzerland *** FRIBOURG, SWITZERLAND MAY 28 Matthew Tkachuk of United States during the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Switzerland game between Canada and USA at BCF Arena on May 28, 2026 in Fribourg, Fribourg Fribourg BCF Arena Fribourg Switzerland Copyright: xJustPictures.ch/JarixPestelaccix jp-en-EuSpIm-JP6_JAR_Canada_USA_28May2026_00131
FRIBOURG, SWITZERLAND - MAY 28: Matthew Tkachuk of United States during the 2026 IIHF Ice hockey, Eishockey World Championship, WM, Weltmeisterschaft Switzerland game between Canada and USA at BCF Arena on May 28, 2026 in Fribourg, Fribourg. Fribourg BCF Arena Fribourg Switzerland *** FRIBOURG, SWITZERLAND MAY 28 Matthew Tkachuk of United States during the 2026 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship Switzerland game between Canada and USA at BCF Arena on May 28, 2026 in Fribourg, Fribourg Fribourg BCF Arena Fribourg Switzerland Copyright: xJustPictures.ch/JarixPestelaccix jp-en-EuSpIm-JP6_JAR_Canada_USA_28May2026_00131
Four years ago, the Calgary Flames traded Matthew Tkachuk to the Florida Panthers in one of the biggest deals in recent NHL history. In return, Calgary acquired Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, Cole Schwindt, and a lottery-protected first-round pick. But ever since then, Tkachuk has won two Stanley Cups.
The Flames confirmed the trade on July 22, 2022, and Tkachuk was a restricted free agent at the time. Calgary had filed for salary arbitration with him. He had also told the team he would not sign long-term there.
Their general manager, Brad Treliving, traded him to Florida, landing Tkachuk along with an eight-year, $76 million contract.
Two days later, Tkachuk explained the move in his first interview as a Panther, as per ESPN.
"It was just kind of putting myself in a position to reevaluate everything- life, on-ice, off-ice, the future- and I came to the decision that I was going to look elsewhere and have a change," Tkachuk said in an interview with Sportsnet's Ryan Leslie, streamed on Instagram.
STATELINE, NV - JULY 10: Brady Tkachuk looks on wearing an Olympic gold medalduring the first round of the American Century Championship on July 10, 2026 at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Tahoe, NV. Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire GOLF: JUL 10 American Century Championship EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2607100671
STATELINE, NV - JULY 10: Brady Tkachuk looks on wearing an Olympic gold medalduring the first round of the American Century Championship on July 10, 2026 at Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course in Tahoe, NV. Photo by Matthew Huang/Icon Sportswire GOLF: JUL 10 American Century Championship EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon2607100671
He described the decision as an emotional one
"And Florida kind of fell right into my lap within the last week or so. So, very happy with a very tough process. Hard, mixed emotions, sad, happy, everything, but very ecstatic to be ending up in Florida," Tkachuk added.
He made it clear that the move was about his own future, not a problem in Calgary, and that he hoped to stay in Florida for the long term.
Four years later, Tkachuk now has two Stanley Cups. Clearly, the decision paid off, making him achieve what he couldn't in Calgary.
From debut star to two-time champion
Across three playoff runs with Florida, Tkachuk has led the Panthers with 69 points (25 goals, 44 assists) in 67 games, guiding the team to three straight Stanley Cup Final appearances.
Back in Calgary, he made four playoff runs, gathering 15 points (7 goals and eight assists) in 27 games.
According to the stats from the NHL, he set a record for the most points ever by a Panther in a debut year, racking up 109 points.
And he also made the ninth 100-point debut in NHL history with a new club. That same season, he finished third in Hart Trophy voting and won MVP of the NHL All-Star Game.
The Panthers gave Tkachuk the role of an alternate captain in each of his first two seasons. During the 2022-23 season, he set a franchise record with 11 goals and 24 points in a single postseason, helping Florida reach the Stanley Cup Final for the first time since 1996.
In total, Tkachuk has scored 288 points in 242 regular-season games with Florida, a pace close to 1.2 points per game, to go with two Stanley Cup rings.
What's your read on the trade four years later? Let us know down in the comments below.
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Written by
Aadhya Nalla
Edited by
Soheli Tarafdar