Leon Draisaitl was a member of the Edmonton Oilers team that twice faced Matthew Tkachuk's Florida Panthers in the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup final. Both times, the Panthers won. And Tkachuk isn't about to let Draisaitl forget it.
MILAN, Italy - Give Matthew Tkachuk the gold medal for chirping.
In a 5-1 win against Germany on Sunday, the broadcast caught the Team USA winger getting into a war of words with Leon Draisaitl, with Tkachuk delivering a verbal jab at the two-time Stanley Cup finalist.
"Always the bridesmaid, eh, Leon? Always the bridesmaid, never the bride," Tkachuk said to Draisaitl during a break in the game, which was picked up by the NBC broadcast.
Draisaitl, of course, was a member of the Edmonton Oilers team that twice faced Tkachuk's Florida Panthers in the 2024 and 2025 Stanley Cup final. Both times, the Panthers won.
"It's always a challenge," Tkachuk said of playing Draisaitl. "Our teams have some history. And (it's) always fun playing him."
Draisaitl did not stop to talk to reporters following the game.
The trash talk might have done the trick, as Draisaitl was held to no shots, no points and a minus-1 rating in the loss to the U.S.
"Some guys you got to play harder than most, physically and maybe after the whistle sometimes, too," Tkachuk said in defense of his trash talk. "So sometimes you've got to play both parts of the game."
Tkachuk, who is tied with a team-leading five points, had a pair of assists in the win. Brady Tkachuk, who is playing on a line with Matthew, had an assist. Together, the larger-than-life brothers have made a unique mark on the tournament, combining for two goals and eight points in three games.
"They're every bit as entertaining as you guys would think — and unbelievable team guys. It's a blast," said teammate Dylan Larkin. "You got to see that at 4 Nations. And now this group is special. It's fun to be out there with them, and you almost don't want it to end.
"So, you got to keep going, keep playing for each other, to keep having fun."
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