Matthew Tkachuk loves Calgary. And he'd like to stick around for a while.
Tkachuk was speaking Saturday at the Flames' end-of-season availability when he was asked about the prospect of signing a long-term deal with the club.
"Absolutely," said Tkachuk, 24, who is due to be a restricted free-agent this summer. "I've loved it here. I've grown up here."
The Flames' American-born forward went on at length to describe how aware he has become in recent months, after the various lockdowns experienced during the pandemic, of Calgarians' love for the team, "and how much passion they have for it."
Tkachuk, who just had a career high 104-point season (42 goals, 62 assists), is coming of a three-year, $21 million deal with the Flames. In six seasons in Calgary, the former sixth-overall pick has 382 points in 431 games.
So, would he consider a long-term engagement in Calgary?
"I'd be very open to that," he said.
