NHL News
Evander Kane Disses Matthew Tkachuk After First Panthers Press Conference
As part of the first sign-and-trade in NHL history, Matthew Tkachuk will start a new journey with the Florida Panthers after starting his career with the Calgary Flames. In his first presser in Sunrise, Tkachuk said he plans to turn the Panthers into top contenders. But Evander Kane had other thoughts.
The NHL posted a photo of Tkachuk and his quote on Instagram, where he said, “There’s a team in the same state here that’s had a lot of success recently. I’m here to change that.”
Kane’s response was quick and short but spoke volumes.
“Lol,” he wrote.
It looks like the Matthew Tkachuk-Evander Kane rivalry will last, even with Tkachuk moving to a different conference. The two have faced off on numerous occasions as part of the Battle of Alberta, and in other Pacific Division showdowns during Kane’s tenure with the San Jose Sharks. They haven’t exactly taken a liking to each other over time.
"You want some money?"
-Matthew Tkachuk chirping Evander Kane, who filed for bankruptcy in January 2021
(h/t @BradyTrett) pic.twitter.com/L3iBjZWQJQ
— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) May 19, 2022
That bad blood would remain evident in the 2022 Stanley Cup Playoffs, where Kane’s Oilers cruised past Tkachuk’s Flames in five games. Edmonton was subsequently swept in the Western Conference Final at the hands of the Colorado Avalanche, who went on to win the Stanley Cup against the Tampa Bay Lightning, who had swept the Panthers in Round 2.
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Kane made his way back into the NHL this season following multiple scandals and allegations against him. He signed with the Oilers in January and was apparently also considering the Washington Capitals. There, he broke out with 22 goals and 17 assists for 39 points in 43 regular-season games. Kane then led the league in postseason scoring with 13 goals through 15 games.
Tkachuk, meanwhile, had a career year with 42 goals and 62 assists for 104 points in 82 games. He and Calgary were at a crossroads when it came to an extension. And after club-elected arbitration, the RFA let the Flames know he wouldn’t re-sgin with them. That led to his departure for Florida, where he signed a nine-year extension that carries an AAV of $9.5 million. He is the second-highest-paid player on the Panthers roster behind Aleksander Barkov.
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