Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk selected as 2023 Hart Trophy finalist

Tkachuk is the third Florida player in franchise history to be a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy

Matthew Tkachuk was about as perfect of a fit with the Florida Panthers as you could get.

The Panthers wanted to get tougher and grittier.

Tkachuk wanted a place he could call home for years while competing for the Stanley Cup.

Both sides seem to have gotten what they hoped.

Tkachuk had a stellar first season with the Panthers.

He recorded his second consecutive 100-point season and was selected as an NHL All-Star for the second time in his career.

The 25-year-old scored 40 goals and led the Panthers to the Stanley Cup Playoffs for a franchise record fourth straight year.

On Friday, Tkachuk was also honored as a Hart Trophy finalist.

Tkachuk, along with Edmonton’s Connor McDavid and Boston’s David Pastrnak, are the three finalists for the 2022-23 Hart Memorial Trophy, which is awarded “to the player adjudged to be the most valuable to his team.”

It’s the first time in Tkachuk’s career that he has been an NHL Awards finalist.

He is the third Panthers player to be selected as a Hart Trophy finalist, following John Vanbiesbrouck in 1993-94 and Pavel Bure in 1999-00.

The winner will be announced at the NHL Awards show in Nashville on June 26.