Matthew Tkachuk

Tkachuk playing for the London Knights in April 2016

On May 8, 2015, Tkachuk gave up his NCAA eligibility when he signed with the London Knights of the Ontario Hockey League (OHL), who had drafted him in the fourth round of the 2013 OHL Priority Selection.[4] Playing on a line with Mitch Marner and Christian Dvorak, Tkachuk scored 107 points, placing him fifth in OHL scoring. Tkachuk scored the game winning goal in overtime for the Knights in the 2016 Memorial Cup final.

Leading up to the NHL draft, Tkachuk was the second-ranked North American skater, described as a bona fide future star for an NHL club that brings elite skills and attributes.[5] After his selection by the Calgary Flames, sixth overall, Tkachuk was signed to a three-year, entry-level contract on July 7, 2016.[6]

Tkachuk scored his first NHL goal in a 4–3 overtime win against the Buffalo Sabres.[7] On March 20, 2017, he was suspended two games for an elbow to the face of Los Angeles Kings defenseman Drew Doughty.[8] During the next meeting between the two teams on March 29, Tkachuk further settled the hit by fighting Kings defenseman Brayden McNabb. Tkachuk finished seventh in voting for the Calder Memorial Trophy, an award awarded annually to the top rookie in the NHL.[9][10]

During his sophomore year, on November 17, 2017, the NHL Department of Player Safety announced that Tkachuk was suspended one game for his part in a line brawl that took place in a game against the Detroit Red Wings on November 15.[11] He was suspended again on December 7, for spearing Toronto Maple Leafs winger Matt Martin.[12] Tkachuk became the second youngest teenager in Flames history to reach 100 games, the first being Dan Quinn in 1985, when he played against the Arizona Coyotes on November 30.[13] Tkachuk was injured in a game against the New York Islanders on March 11, 2018, and missed the rest of the season.[14] Despite the injury, he finished the season with a career-high 49 points.

Prior to the 2018–19 season, Tkachuk was named an alternate captain for the Flames, along with Mikael Backlund and Sean Monahan.[15] Tkachuk set a new career high for points during the season[16] and recorded his first career NHL hat-trick in a 6–3 win over the Vegas Golden Knights.[17] On March 15, 2019, Tkachuk recorded his 100th career assist and became the first player from his draft class to reach that milestone.[18]

After being absent from the Flames' training camp due to an unsigned contract, Tkachuk signed a three-year, $21 million extension on September 25, 2019.[19]

On April 19, 2022, Tkachuk recorded his 99th point (an assist) in a 3–2 shootout loss to the Nashville Predators, surpassing his father's previous personal record (98 in 1995–96).[20] Two days later, Tkachuk scored his 100th point (and 40 goals) in a 4–2 win against the Dallas Stars, becoming the second player, along with Auston Matthews from the 2016 draft class to score 100 points in a single season.[21] The 2021–22 season was one of the most successful regular seasons in Flames history, with Tkachuk at the center of its success. Tkachuk would spend most of the season playing on the right wing with centreman Elias Lindholm, and left winger Johnny Gaudreau. The trio formed one of the most dominant forward lines in the NHL, and all three members hit numerous personal and collective milestones over the course of the season.[22] All three scored at least 40 goals in the course of the season, the first time in 28 years that linemates had all achieved this, and only the fourth time in that span that a team had three 40-goal scorers.[23] Tkachuk finished the regular season with 42 goals and 62 assists, while the Flames won the Pacific Division title. The Flames drew the Dallas Stars in the first round of the 2022 Stanley Cup playoffs, a rematch of the bubble playoffs two years prior, and a matchup in which the Flames were considered the favourites.[22] Tkachuk scored the lone goal of Game 1, giving his team the victory.[24] The series proved a greater challenge than anticipated, largely due to Stars goaltender Jake Oettinger, but the Flames eventually won in seven games, with Tkachuk managing another goal in the series-clinching game.[25] The Flames drew the Edmonton Oilers in the second round, the first playoff "Battle of Alberta" in 31 years.[26] The Flames were defeated by the Oilers in five games, bringing the playoff run to an end.[27]

After the conclusion of the season, teammate Gaudreau opted to leave the Flames in free agency to sign with the Columbus Blue Jackets.[28] Tkachuk's own future with the team had been subject to speculation for some time, with many believing he intended to leave the Flames when he reached unrestricted free agency.[29] Days after news of Gaudreau's departure, the Flames announced that they had filed for club arbitration on Tkachuk's next contract, having heretofore failed to come to terms on an extension. This was widely interpreted as being a preliminary measure in a move to trade him to another team, and thereby avoid losing Tkachuk in free agency for no compensation.[30][31] On July 20, The Athletic reported that Tkachuk had told the Flames that he would not re-sign with the team for a long-term contract.[32]

On July 22, 2022, two days after informing the Flames of his intention not to re-sign to a long-term deal, Tkachuk was traded to the Florida Panthers along with a conditional fourth-round draft pick in 2025 in exchange for Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, Cole Schwindt, and a lottery-protected first-round pick in 2025. Tkachuk signed an eight-year, $76 million contract prior to being traded to the Panthers.[33] In the NHL 2023 All-Star Game on February 4, 2023, Tkachuk was named the Game MVP after scoring 4 goals and 3 assists of 7 points.[34] In his first season with the Florida Panthers, Tkachuk surpassed his personal record for points in a season, and finished with 109 at the end of his first year with Florida.[35] In recognition of his achievements, Tkachuk was named a finalist for the Hart Memorial Trophy, awarded to the league's most valuable player.[36]