Three years ago, the Florida Panthers completed one of the most significant NHL trades in recent memory by acquiring Matthew Tkachuk. However, few fans knew just how narrowly Tkachuk almost landed with the Carolina Hurricanes instead. Reports reveal that the 2022 trade negotiations between the Calgary Flames, Florida Panthers, and Carolina Hurricanes were intensely competitive and could have reshaped the league’s landscape.
According to NHL insider Frank Seravalli, the Carolina Hurricanes were heavily involved in discussions with Calgary over Tkachuk’s future. At various moments during the trade day, both Florida and Carolina presented serious offers, with Carolina at times believing they had secured the deal. Negotiations stretched throughout the day, creating a tense back-and-forth.
It was down to the wire between Florida and Carolina. I think there were varying points throughout that day that the Carolina Hurricanes thought they might be able to get it done with Matthew Kachuk. And he ends up landing in Florida and changing his life and that franchise forever,
Seravalli said.
Ultimately, the deal concluded with Florida securing Tkachuk’s rights and seeing him become a key contributor to their back-to-back Stanley Cup victories. The trade sent Tkachuk and a conditional 2025 fourth-round pick to Florida, while the Calgary Flames received Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, Cole Schwindt, and a conditional first-round pick.
The Exact Trade Details That Shaped Two Franchises
The trade that shook the NHL in July 2022 involved significant players and future assets. Florida acquired Matthew Tkachuk to boost their roster immediately, whereas Calgary gained multiple promising players along with a valuable draft pick. This transaction was initially met with mixed opinions about which side came out ahead.
The final arrangement was announced by the Florida Panthers on July 23, 2022:
We have acquired Matthew Tkachuk and a conditional fourth-round draft pick from Calgary in exchange for Jonathan Huberdeau, MacKenzie Weegar, prospect Cole Schwindt and Florida’s lottery-protected first-round selection in the 2025 draft.
—Florida Panthers, Official Statement
While Calgary’s haul looked strong at the time, the Panthers’ consecutive Stanley Cup wins since the trade have largely shifted opinions about the deal’s outcome. The Panthers clearly clinched a franchise-altering asset in Tkachuk, who has become one of the league’s premier forwards.
Potential Impact If Carolina Had Closed the Deal
Had Carolina successfully secured Tkachuk, the NHL landscape would have unfolded quite differently. Reports indicate that the Hurricanes would have needed to offer high-caliber players in return, possibly including Martin Necas or Seth Jarvis, although Sebastian Aho was considered untouchable.
The full details of Carolina’s offer remain undisclosed, but insiders confirm it was competitive enough to nearly get the deal done. This raised the possibility that Carolina’s core roster could have been reshaped substantially, impacting their future competitiveness and the balance of power in the league.
Seravalli’s insights highlight that the trade discussion was a pivotal moment in NHL history, with Florida ultimately taking the winning path in acquiring Tkachuk.
Matthew Tkachuk’s Celebration as a Champion in His Hometown
Following his Cup victories with Florida, Matthew Tkachuk returned to his roots in St. Louis for a heartfelt celebration. Despite playing professionally in South Florida, Tkachuk demonstrates a strong connection to his hometown, using his success to create meaningful moments.
His victory tour began where it matters most—at the St. Louis Children’s Hospital, bringing joy to young patients.
It always starts off at Children’s Hospital,
Tkachuk explained.
Just to brighten up their day just for a minute, if that’s all it takes to make their day and then for them to call their friends and say they had their day with the Cup, that’s what it’s all about.
Beyond the hospital, Tkachuk visited various local institutions including the Brentwood Police and Fire Departments, schools, and neighborhood haunts. Among the highlights, he posed for a photo inside a police holding cell, joking that it was the only time he plans to be “behind bars.”
The celebrations concluded privately, surrounded by close friends and family.
I’m super fortunate to be on such an unbelievable team,
Tkachuk said.
But to bring the Cup back home to celebrate with friends and family is going to be incredible.
The Lasting Effects of the Trade and What It Means Moving Forward
Looking back, the trade negotiation that nearly sent Matthew Tkachuk to Carolina altered NHL history substantially. Panthers fans have witnessed the direct impact, enjoying two Stanley Cup championships fueled by Tkachuk’s presence. Meanwhile, the Hurricanes continue to reflect on what could have been, balancing hopes for future roster moves with the memory of a near miss.
This close-call trade serves as a reminder of how delicate and influential NHL dealings can be, with a single phone call changing the trajectories of franchises, players, and entire seasons. For Carolina and Florida, those pivotal moments in 2022 remain a defining chapter in their organizational stories.