Brian Burke Publicly Calls Out Brady And Matthew Tkachuk?

No trade clauses in the National Hockey League have become a hot button issue seemingly overnight, so hot in fact that the debate raging around them has even seeped into this year's Hockey Hall of Fame announcements.

Former NHL general manager Brian Burke was inducted into the Hall of Fame as a builder in the Class of 2026 with his official induction ceremony scheduled to take place on Sunday, and it was during his availability to the media over the weekend that he would share his thoughts on the controversial topic. As has always been the case throughout his career, Burke made no effort to shy away from controversy despite who was being inducted alongside him.

"I'm not supposed to say anything controversial, am I? I don't like it," admitted Burke.

While Burke didn't mention anyone by name, his comments managed to stir the pot anyways. Fellow Hall of Fame inductee Keith Tkachuk was none too pleased, feeling like Burke was taking aim at his family in particular.

"I felt Burkie was looking at me when he was saying that," said Keith Tkachuk as per NHL insider Chris Johnston. "About my kids."

Matthew of course famously requested a trade out of Calgary after initially being drafted into the NHL by the Calgary Flames and his brother Brady Tkachuk would do so a few short years later with the team that drafted him, the Ottawa Senators.

While Keith Tkachuk and his family may feel personally slighted by Burke's comments, there's no doubt in my mind that they will resonate with the majority of hockey fans given what we have seen transpire over the last several months.