Welcome back, Chucky.
After missing nearly two weeks of training camp due to a contract stalemate, rising-star left-winger Matthew Tkachuk has re-signed with the Calgary Flames.
The team announced early Wednesday that the restricted free agent has inked a three-year bridge deal will an average annual value of US$7 million.
The gameplan is that he’ll suit up for Saturday’s exhibition capper against the Edmonton Oilers at the Saddledome, skating alongside his longtime linemates Mikael Backlund and Michael Frolik.
“Good to have him back in the fold,” said Flames head coach Bill Peters. “I’m glad it’s over with. I thought that both sides did a great job. And happy we won’t have to do it for, probably, three more years.”
After signing his new contract, Tkachuk returned to the Saddledome and spoke about his off-season.
The 21-year-old Tkachuk is already an alternate captain, fan favourite and go-to guy at the Saddledome. He will now also top the Flames’ annual salary charts. (Johnny Gaudreau and Mark Giordano had been splitting that honour, earning US$6.75-million apiece.)
Tkachuk racked up a career-best 34 goals and 77 points during the 2018-19 campaign.
“He’s a real competitive guy … and he’s probably got an underrated skill-set,” Peters praised. “He’s got real good skill. People talk about his grit and his ability net-front, but some of the plays he makes down low are unreal. I think it was against the Islanders that he scored a goal through his legs on the goal-line on a powerplay. He competes very hard. You see him in the offensive zone, strong on pucks.
“He’s a valuable member of our team, and we’re excited to have him.”
When this contract expires, No. 19 will be one year shy of unrestricted free agency. His salary in the third year of the new deal is US$9 million, which would boost his qualifying offer at that time to almost eight figures.
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September 26, 2019 at 05:30AM
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