Changes could be coming to the Calgary Flames after missing this season’s playoffs. While Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan have frequently surfaced as trade candidates, Sportsnet 650’s Shane O’Brien tossed Matthew Tkachuk’s name into the rumor mill.
Appearing on SiriusXM NHL Network Radio’s “The Power Play†with Steve Kouleas on Monday, O’Brien said he’s heard Tkachuk wants out of Calgary, preferring to return to his hometown of St. Louis. He speculated it could be a swap for Blues winger Vladimir Tarasenko, saying the latter’s time in St. Louis is “clearly done.â€
O’Brien cautioned he wasn’t sure this would happen, claiming it was what he’d heard numerous times from some former players. He acknowledged the Blues might have to add something else in the deal given Tarasenko’s history of shoulder injuries.
Tkachuk has come up in previous media trade chatter. In April, the Ottawa Sun‘s Don Brennan suggested the Flames should listen if teams make pitches for the 23-year-old winger. On June 18, the St. Louis Post-Dispatch‘s Ben Frederickson urged the Blues to make a bold offer if the Flames were “crazy enough†to shop him.
Both wingers carry an almost identical cap hit. Tkachuk’s is $7 million for 2021-22 while the 29-year-old Tarasenko’s is $7.5 million through 2022-23. The latter also has a full no-trade clause.
If Tkachuk does want out of Calgary, the Flames aren’t likely to swap him for a winger six years older with three recent shoulder surgeries on his resume. Tarasenko, meanwhile, could be reluctant to accept a trade to a struggling club trying to find its way following a disappointing season.Â
