Back in the summer of 2023, the Calgary Flames franchise would be changed forever. Just weeks after the team were dismantled by the Edmonton Oilers in the latest Stanley Cup Playoffs edition of the Battle of Alberta, the Flames lost franchise star Johnny Gaudreau in free agency to the Columbus Blue Jackets.
Shortly thereafter, star winger Matthew Tkachuk requested a trade, with the Flames dealing him to the Florida Panthers in exchange for Jonathan Huberdeau, Mackenzie Weegar, prospect Cole Schwindt and a 2025 first-round draft pick that turned into Cullen Potter. On paper, it's a solid trade, especially after the Flames flipped Weegar for a plethora of second-round picks in 2026, but given what else was available, it was a failure on the part of Brad Treliving, especially after the extension given to Huberdeau.
What we do know is that the Carolina Hurricanes had a package of futures to give to the Flames instead, but at the time, Treliving along with Head Coach Darryl Sutter wanted a package to help them stay competitive, a major mistake in hindsight. However, that package has never been detailed, until now, as Sportsnet's Elliotte Friedman has now revealed what he believed it to be at the time.
Per Elliotte Friedman on 32 Thoughts, he believes that Carolina’s offer for Matthew Tkachuk back in 2022 was:
— TrevorNeufeld (@Trevor_Neufeld) June 22, 2026
Martin Necas
Alexander Nikishin
Jake Gardiner for cap purposes
One or two first round picks#Flames https://t.co/VwBBndusvR
In the wake of the Brady Tkachuk trade, Friedman looked back, revealing that he believed the package was Martin Necas, Alexander Nikishin and Jake Gardiner (salary cap purposes) along with one or two first-round picks. In hindsight, most Flames fans would clearly choose the latter, as Nikishin and Necas have turned into very good players in the NHL, with the potential picks giving Calgary plenty of future assets as well.
Ultimately though, with the people that were in charge of the Flames at the time, it's no surprise they went with the package that became the official deal, but in hindsight, it's safe to say that this rumoured one was a much, much better deal for Calgary moving forward.
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