“Players make choices. They have every right. We deal with that as best we can. We can mope in our corner, put ourselves in the fetal position and suck our thumb, or we can take care of the situation. That’s what we tried to do. »
Posted at 3:39 p.m.
Those words come from Brad Treliving, General Manager of the Calgary Flames. He spoke them on Saturday afternoon, by videoconference, the day after the lightning trade that sent Matthew Tkachuk to the Panthers in return for Jonathan Huberdeau, defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, prospect Cole Schwindt and a first-round pick in 2025 .
This transaction is the result of a week full of twists and turns in the Tkachuk saga. The American winger, who scored 42 goals and had 104 points last season, had let the Flames know he refused to make a long-term deal with them.
The Alberta team also had to say goodbye to Johnny Gaudreau two weeks ago, after he finally signed a long-term deal with the Columbus Blue Jackets.
“A week ago, that wasn’t the plan we had,” Treliving agreed. We weren’t looking to trade Matthew Tkachuk. But we were put in a position where we had to do what was best for the organization. He chose this path, and we had to prepare the path for him as best as possible. »
And how ! What the Flames got in return for Tkachuk — and a conditional fourth-round pick in 2025 — is spectacular. Jonathan Huberdeau (30 goals, 115 points) was the NHL’s third-leading scorer in 2021-22. MacKenzie Weegar (44 points) was potentially the Panthers’ best defenseman. Prospect Cole Schwindt and first-round pick are juicy icing on the cake.
According to Treliving, Huberdeau “is one of the best forwards in the league.”
“Not just with what he brings to the ice, but also with his ability to make his teammates better. He is dynamic. He is competitive. »
In Weegar, Calgary got “a first-class defenseman.” “He is reaching his prime. […] This player is believed to greatly improve our team today. »
However, these are two players who will spend the last year of their contract next season before reaching full autonomy. The GM is “aware” of the risk of losing them after only one year in Alberta.
“We will talk to their agents. We already did that at the time of the exchange. But a lot of things happened last week. We’re going to take deep breaths, then look forward. »
He nevertheless reveals that it was “the best offer available, by far”. Especially considering the limited number of teams the GM could negotiate with, under the no-trade clause in Tkachuk’s contract.
” It annoys me ”
The last few weeks have been difficult for the Flames. And even for Calgary in general. It is that the persistent din from which emanate rumors that American players do not wish to play for Canadian teams has found more and more echo in the news of the NHL. Both financial and lifestyle reasons are cited.
“Honestly, it annoys me,” said Brad Treliving.
“A lot has been said and written about Calgary in the past week. Honestly, I think our city and our organization took it for the cold. [have taken some body shots]. It’s a very nice community. Everyone here feels privileged to live there. »
“We don’t have to apologize for anything. We are proud of who we are. »
Is there still frustration among general managers working in Canadian markets, when their best players fly off on their own to other places? Treliving responds that he does not want to generalize.
“I think it’s just that these players are coming to a decision at an important point in their careers. […] We cannot condemn all American players. »
“We were aware of the challenges that were in front of us, with these players coming to the end of their contract. We tried to convince them. Now we are happy to welcome the players we have obtained [vendredi]. We are going forward. »