CALGARY -- The Calgary Flames and Matthew Tkachuk have reached an agreement that will see the promising 21-year-old become the highest paid player in franchise history.
The team confirmed Wednesday morning that Tkachuk has been signed to a three-year deal with an average annual salary of $7 million.
At a press conference Wednesday afternoon, Flames General Manager Brad Treliving said Tkachuk's re-signing achieved both goals the team set this summer.
"We were going through this process with two goals in mind all summer," Treliving said. "One, sign Matthew Tkachuk and two, keep the team intact.
"What we wanted to avoid," he added, "was a distressed (salary cap) situation, where you had to toss a body under the tarmac to make it happen.
"His goal," Treliving added later, "was how do we keep this group (intact), how do we add to this group, and how do we win with this group?"
It turned out that keeping the team intact was as much on Tkachuk's mind as the term and annual average salary of his new deal, which makes him the highest paid Flame ever.
"The best case scenario happened," Tkachuk said, "where you didn't have to move one single guy to make it happen.
"These are the guys I've played with for three years, who have made it so fun to come to the rink. We're a hundred point team last season, and everyone's back. We're chomping at the bit. I want to win in Calgary.
"I'm very, very happy with how it ended."
Earlier Wednesday, pundits and Tkachuk's coach and teammates gave the deal smash reviews.
"The signing of Matthew Tkachuk is huge," said Jermain Franklin, TSN's Calgary Flames reporter. "It basically means that the Flames are whole again. You can't discount the importance of their top line when you think of Johnny Gaudreau. Sean Monahan and Elias Lindholm but, with Tkachuk back in the fold, he brings that strength offensively to the second line. He'll automatically slot with Mikael Backlund and Michael Frolik. Most likely Tkachuk would be on the left side. It also boosts their powerplay."
"The big question now is, is there enough time for Tkachuk to get up to speed in time for the season opener on October 3rd."
Teammates happy to have Chucky back
The signing of the winger has also brought huge relief to the Flames' dressing room, especially for head coach Brian Peters who was anxious about filling a crucial spot in the lineup.
"We can get him right where he belongs. He’ll go on that number one power play unit on the goal line and net front and we’ll play him with Backlund and Frolik," he said. "Good to have him back in the fold and I’m glad it’s over with. Thought both sides did a great job and happy we probably won’t have to do it for three more years.”
Tkachuk’s teammates stayed in touch with him throughout the process via group chat.
Sean Monahan says he's excited to have him confirmed a member of the team.
"You don’t want to be away from your team. I mean, you miss one day throughout the season and it feels like you missed a month. So I mean sitting at home was probably pretty tough for guys but Chucky knows what he means to this group and he wanted to be here."
Captain Mark Giordano says it was very important to get Tkachuk signed now so he could get ready for next Thursday's home opener against Colorado.
"It was one of those things. You’re hoping for it to get done. You knew it eventually would get done but really happy that he’s not going to miss any games and get right back into practice with us."
Tkachuk was the Flames' first round pick in the 2016 NHL entry draft (6th overall) and has tallied 174 points(71 goals and 103 assists) over his first three seasons. Tkachuk had a breakout season in 2018-2019 with 77 points (34 goals and 33 assists) in 80 games.
He is expected to undergo fitness testing on Thursday and will be in the lineup for the final pre-season game against the Oilers on Saturday.
TSN Hockey Insider Bob McKenzie notes that Brayden Point's three-year, $20.25 million contract signed earlier this week with the Tampa Bay Lightning served as a catalyst in talks between the two sides.
