What have the Florida Panthers done? They have just traded for Calgary’s Matthew Tkachuk in exchange of Jonathan Huberdeau, Mackenzie Weeger, a prospect, and a 2025 1st-round pick.
There have been some lopsided trades in recent NHL history, but this one might very well top the list. The Florida Panthers have just guttered their draft capital, prospect pool, and their President’s Trophy winning Top-3 Forward core and Top-2 Defense Core for Matthew Tkachuk. Does that make any sense to you?
No, it shouldn’t. Calgary have just fleeced a 115-point scorer in Jonathan Huberdeau, a 45-point scoring two-way defenseman in Mackenzie Weegar, and another 1st-round draft pick in three years’ time from Florida for a player who was never going to play for Calgary again. And people wonder why the Florida Panthers have been a laughingstock for their entire existence.
It’s because of dumb trade deals like this one. The Panthers had the best record in the NHL last season, winning their first President’s Trophy in team history. They even made it out of the First Round of the playoffs for the first time since 1996 but lost in four to the Tampa Bay Lighting in the Second Round. Despite a disappointing ending, the Panthers had their best season in over 26 years.
There were high hopes among Panthers fans for a repeat success (and hopefully more playoff success) next season with this core group of players. Now, I don’t know if Florida will even make the Top-3 in the Atlantic Division.
Okay, maybe I’m overreacting a little, but Florida has really hurt their team by trading away two important players. Huberdeau and Weegar not only provided their talent, but also were locker room leaders for the Panthers. Especially Jonathan Huberdeau.
The former 1st-round pick was a beloved fan favorite that could score and assist with ease. In fact, Huberdeau led the league last season with 85 assists, and he had 30 goals to round off a career year.
I know Matthew Tkachuk is a great player in his own right (as he had 104 points last season and is only 24 years old), but three valuable assets for the soon-to-be free agent is too much of a gamble. Without Huberdeau and Weegar, this Panthers core may never be the same.
Hopefully, this works out for Florida as their fans deserve another great season for putting up with horrible teams for years. But I’m skeptical Tkachuk can replicate his 104-point form in a new city with new teammates. We’ll have to just wait and see.
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