Matthew Tkachuk sends a message to the Oilers and the Lightning.

The Florida Panthers went all in for star winger Matthew Tkachuk last week when they pulled off arguably the biggest trade we have seen in the salary cap era of the National Hockey League, and if his first press conference as a Florida Panther is any indication of what the future holds it seems like the Panthers may have gotten exactly what they were hoping for.

Tkachuk's introductory press conference as a Panther showed off his great charisma and no doubt piqued the interest of more than a few casual hockey fans in Sunrise, Florida. The press conference had a number of highlights but at the very top of the list may have been a message to a pair of rival teams, the Edmonton Oilers and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

The Oilers were of course bitter rivals during Tkachuk's time as a member of the Calgary Flames, a rivalry that it seems he intends to bring with him to Florida, and the heated rivalry between the Panthers and intrastate rivals the Tampa Bay Lightning is well documented.

"I hate Edmonton," said Tkachuk before adding "I hate Tampa more now."

Tkachuk also discussed what some have perceived to be his arrogance, something that he dismissed outright. The talented winger instead pointed to the other team in the state of Florida as an example of what confidence should look like.

"I have a good confidence. It's not a cockiness," said the newest member of the Florida Panthers. "I think some of the teams that have had success in this conference have that. The team on the other end of the state has that."

Displaying that level of respect for a dangerous rival is no doubt a wise approach on the part of Tkachuk who has many battles with the Lightning to look forward to in the near future. The star winger also discussed his hopes that his unique style of play and personality would help bring in more eyeballs to a Florida Panthers team that has continuously tried to grow the game in their market over the years.

"On the ice I have a different personality. I have a certain swagger that can help this team," said Tkachuk. "I’m excited for the chance to grow the game down here."