Flames might consider trading Matthew Tkachuk

Calgary Flames GM Brad Treliving has said the Flames will “move heaven and earth” to keep Johnny Gaudreau. There is no doubt that he will come at a price. He made $6.75 million annually over the last six years, and that number will probably be in the $9 million range in his next deal. For now, the Flames are focused on him as Gaudreau is a prospective unrestricted free agent who just had a career season, setting highs in goals (40), assists (75), points (115, second in the NHL) and plus-minus rating (league-best plus-64).

Most insiders believe he will stay in Calgary, but they still have to consider the possibility of Gaudreau looking at a chance to play for his childhood team, the Philadelphia Flyers. He owns a home at the Jersey Shore, and his wife and his family have ties to the region, so he seems like a natural fit for the Flyers, who would do anything to get a player like him for a quick rebuild.

This prompted Andy Strickland to wonder if the Flames need to trade Matthew Tkachuk this summer to prevent losing both Gaudreau (this offseason) and Tkachuk (next summer) for nothing.

“If the Flames lose Johnny Gaudreau this summer can they really afford to lose Matthew Tkachuk for nothing next summer? Allow your two best players to walk and get little or nothing in return? Is it in Calgary’s best interest to trade Tkachuk this summer? Very tough for Calgary.”

As Hailey Salvian of The Athletic recently pointed out: “These should be the priorities of the offseason because whatever happens with Tkachuk and Gaudreau is going to dictate much of the team’s to-do list.”

But she too wonders if the Flames will trade Tkachuk:

“If they both re-sign, clearing cap space and fixing the team around the edges becomes more important. If Gaudreau leaves, finding more skill up the lineup is critical. If Tkachuk signs for one year, do you explore a trade, rather than let him walk?”

While the Flames are focused on re-signing both pending free agents, there are some elements the team cannot control and we have no doubt that this summer will be a busy and nerve-wracking one in Calgary. Especially when speculations like this one comes up to the surface…