Matthew Tkachuk, Jonathan Huberdeau headline blockbuster trade

Left wing Matthew Tkachuk. David Berding-USA TODAY Sports

Flames, Panthers swap Matthew Tkachuk, Jonathan Huberdeau in blockbuster trade

By Adam Stites | Last updated 7/23/22

The Calgary Flames and Florida Panthers announced a massive trade late Friday night that will send All-Star winger Matthew Tkachuk to Florida in exchange for a package that includes three-time All-Star winger Jonathan Huberdeau.

In addition to Huberdeau, the Flames received 28-year-old defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, 20-year-old forward Cole Schwindt and a conditional 2025 first-round draft pick. Florida will also get a conditional 2025 fourth-round pick in the deal.

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.

» https://t.co/icjlgiFxEd pic.twitter.com/XDcFc0eNyd
— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) July 23, 2022

Florida also announced it agreed to an eight-year contract extension with Tkachuk.

Earlier on Friday, a report surfaced that Calgary was hunting for "a top forward, a premium prospect, and a first-round pick" in exchange for Tkachuk, who told the Flames that he wouldn't stay with the team long-term. The trade with the Panthers seemingly satisfies all three of those criteria.

Tkachuk, 24, had a breakout season last year with 104 points to earn All-Star honors for the first time. Huberdeau, 29, earned All-Star honors in each of the last three seasons and finished the 2021-22 season with a career-best 115 points and an NHL-leading 85 assists.

According to ESPN Stats and Info, the trade is only the second in NHL history that swaps a pair of players who just finished 100-point seasons.

More must-reads: