Latest development in Tkachuk saga gives the Flames a bit of a break

The NHL announced dates today for salary arbitration cases and... wouldn't you know it... Calgary Flames forward Matthew Tkachuk's arbitration hearing is on August 11th, the absolute final day of arbitration cases. Salary arbitration cases will be heard from July 27th through August 11th and because Tkachuk's comes at the last possible moment, it gives Flames GM Brad Treliving a bit more time to negotiate a trade for Tkachuk.

Tkachuk, of course, informed the team that he will NOT be signing a long-term deal with them and will test the open market next offseason once he becomes an unrestricted free agent. He is eligible, I believe, to receive only a one year contract as a result of arbitration. So, assuming the Flames do NOT want to walk down the road of salary arbitration and a one year extension for Tkachuk, Treliving has the next three weeks to ship him elsewhere. Of course, the sooner a deal gets done the better because Tkachuk's value theoretically could drop the closer he gets to arbitration. Honestly though, I'm not sure if his arb case would transfer over to another team given that the Flames were the party who filed for arbitration. I'll be completely honest and admit that I'm not entirely sure how that would play out.

In any case, Tkachuk appears to be on the move and Treliving has a bit more breathing room the facilitate a deal now. There's been plenty of speculation that Tkachuk will end up with his hometown St. Louis Blues, but there are conflicting reports about the Blues' interest in him. Then there's the Ottawa Senators where Tkachuk's brother Brady Tkachuk wears the "C". Could you imagine playing against a line with not only one... but TWO Tkachuk's? Absolutely nightmare fuel...

Flames insider Eric Francis that the alleged trade list for the elder Tkachuk that includes the Blues, Vegas Golden Knights, Florida Panthers, Nashville Predators and Dallas Stars is, in fact, not accurate. The truth is that nobody besides Tkachuk and his agent knows his preferred destination.

Whoever ends up acquiring the Tkachuk though will be getting one Hell of a player. The 24 year old former 6th overall pick put up 42 goals and 104 points in 82 games with the Flames last season and is just entering the prime of his career.