Matthew Tkachuk with bold statement after Stanley Cup win

On Tuesday night, the Florida Panthers repeated as Stanley Cup champions by beating the Edmonton Oilers 5-1 in Game 6 of the final. The Cats have won 11 of 12 playoff series since Matthew Tkachuk was traded down South from Calgary and Paul Maurice took over as head coach in the summer of 2022.

Tkachuk was interviewed by Sportsnet as he awaited his turn to hoist the Cup, and made a bold statement about the franchise on live television.

“We gotta be a dynasty now.”

The Panthers are surely a model of consistency, especially under Maurice who has coached more NHL games than everyone except Scotty Bowman and is now a two-time champion.

But a dynasty? Fans on social media were quick to disagree and with some even insulting Tkachuk for his comments:

“Absolutely not. Have to win at least 1 more,” wrote one fan.

“Dynasties start at 3,” stated another fan.

“Give me a f—ing break,” typed another.

Plus a dysnaty in the NHL nowadays feels like less of an accomplishment under the salary-cap era context.

But, Tkachuk was clearly on an adrenaline high and proud of his group, and, after all, he is a two-time Stanley Cup champion. We can let him have it.