Celebrating 2-year anniversary of Panthers trading for Matthew Tkachuk
Florida has had two pretty successful seasons since Tkachuk joined the team
Monday marked a fairly substantial anniversary in the world of the Florida Panthers, even if it’s a pretty young one.
Exactly two years ago, on July 22, 2022, the Florida Panthers and Calgary Flames completed one of the biggest blockbuster trades seen in the NHL in a while.
Florida GM Bill Zito and then-Calgary GM Brad Treliving put the deal together, one that sent Jonathan Huberdeau, fresh off a 115-point season, MacKenzie Weegar, prospect Cole Schwindt and a first-round pick to Calgary in exchange for budding superstar Matthew Tkachuk.
In the weeks and months that followed, Huberdeau and Weegar each signed lengthy extensions with Calgary while Tkachuk inked an eight-year deal with the Cats.
Those of us in Pantherland know exactly how well things have gone for Florida in the two years since the trade was made.
The Panthers have made back-to-back Stanley Cup Final appearances, winning the first championship in franchise history last month.
Tkachuk, for his part, has proven to be an incredibly clutch playoff performer, a leader on and off the ice and, among other things, was an All-Star MVP during his two seasons in Florida.
He’s become one of the NHL’s most recognizable stars, seemingly growing right along with the Panthers as both earned their championship stripes.
Things have gone considerably differently for the other participating parties of this trade.
First and foremost, Calgary has failed to reach the postseason in each of the past two seasons.
Huberdeau has failed to live up to the expectations that came with his incredible 2021-22 campaign, though it’s fair to say he has been put in much more difficult positions to succeed with the Flames than skating the majority of his time in Florida alongside Sasha Barkov.
To his credit, Huberdeau had a solid second of last season which will hopefully be a sign of things to come for the veteran forward.
He may not play in a Panthers sweater anymore but fans in South Florida should hold a special place in their hockey hearts for Huby Doobie Doo.
As for Weegar, he bounced back from a tough first season in Calgary with his best offensive season last year.
Playing in all 82 games for the Flames, Weegar logged a career-high 20 goals and 52 points.
At the end of the day, you’d like to see everyone involved in this massive trade come out on the other end better for it.
The Panthers, obviously, have done incredibly well in the two years since Tkachuk joined the team.
For the Flames, better times are hopefully on the horizon.
Happy anniversary.
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