Flames file for salary arbitration with forward Matthew Tkachuk

It turns out Matthew Tkachuk will be going to arbitration after all.

Tkachuk chose not to file for player-elected salary arbitration by Sunday’s 5 p.m. EST deadline but instead, the Calgary Flames have filed for club-elected arbitration.

Tkachuk was owed a $9 million qualifying offer this year and is one year away from unrestricted free agency after he scored 42 goals and 104 points in 82 games this season.

In a statement, the Flames said “this provides us the opportunity to continue to work with his representatives towards a contractual resolution while removing the possibility of an offer sheet.” 

No official dates have been set for arbitration yet, but they will run from July 27 – Aug. 11.

According to PuckPedia, this means Tkachuk can no longer accept his qualifying offer to play on this year. The date for players to do so falls on July 22.

For the Flames, this gives them some extra control over Tkachuk’s status right now as they try and sort out signing the player to a long-term deal.

Rumors have swirled around Tkachuk and his potential availability with it being reported that the New Jersey Devils offered the second overall pick for Tkachuk at the draft, a deal the Flames declined. There’s also been widespread speculation about the player potentially asking for a trade after linemate Johnny Gaudreau left in free agency for the Columbus Blue Jacekts.