Off-Season Countdown: What could Flames do with Tkachuk?

Ahead of the NHL Draft on July 7 and the opening of free agency on July 13, TSN.ca keeps you up to date with all the latest rumours and speculation from around the NHL beat.

With Matthew Tkachuk slated for restricted free agency this summer and potentially a year away from the open market, his future with the Calgary Flames has come into question.

In a recent mailbag segment for The Athletic, Hailey Salvian wrote that she believes the Flames could look to move Tkachuk if they "sense any degree of uncertainty regarding Tkachuk’s desire to stay" or can't reach a long-term deal with the 24-year-old.

Tkachuk is coming off a career-best season in which he scored 42 goals and posted 104 points in 82 games while playing out the last of a three-year, $21 million bridge deal.

Salvian notes the Flames will have to be cautious in potentially dealing Tkachuk, pointing out the return the Ottawa Senators received for Mark Stone in 2019 since centre-piece Erik Brannstrom has yet to emerge as a top-four defenceman. She adds Ottawa's return for Erik Karlsson of multiple high-end draft picks and a group of players that included Josh Norris is closer to what the Flames should look for. However, receiving an NHL-ready player is likely a priority for the Flames after winning the Pacific Division this year.

In addition to having uncertainty around Tkachuk, the Flames are also at risk of losing leading scorer Johnny Gaudreau to the open market on July 13. Salvian argues the Flames should walk away if Gaudreau's ask goes above $10.5 million on an eight-year deal, since his contract will likely set the team standard for Tkachuk this summer and Andrew Mangiapane and Oliver Kylington still to sign as restricted free agents.

The Flames have just