NHL insider reveals Hurricanes almost landed Matthew Tkachuk in 2022

The Florida Panthers are on top of the hockey world and have been for over two years now. Three consecutive Stanley Cup Finals appearances and back-to-back championships have been one of the more dominant runs in recent memory. 

Florida is known for bringing a combination of grit and physicality with the skill and depth to make life miserable for its opponents. Nobody exemplifies that better than superstar winger Matthew Tkachuk, so it’s no surprise that this run started when he arrived in town. 

That makes it even more interesting to hear that the Carolina Hurricanes felt they were just as close to landing Tkachuk on the day he was ultimately dealt to the Panthers. NHL insider Frank Seravalli of Daily Faceoff shared the story on Tuesday.

"And the other fun thing to think about, as we close out here, is just how close the Carolina Hurricanes were," Seravalli said. "As that Friday was shaping up, I can remember going back and forth with sources again; very quiet period typically on the hockey calendar. And 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 Tkachuk. And he ends up landing in Florida and changing his life and that franchise forever."