Regarding Strickland comment that he guarantees that Tkachuk will end up a Blue by 2023-2024 season:
I very doubt this; Tkachuk was open to signing a long term extension with Calgary until Johnny left (he might still be open to it somewhat). There are most likely a couple of teams he would sign with, having only team that you are willing to sign with is an extremally terrible negotiating tactic and Tkachuk understands that. It is in his best interest to be open to signing with multiple teams, otherwise Blues will just underpay him, he is looking for 10+ per year most likely and there is no reason for Blues to pay that if he wont play anywhere else.
He will most likely say that he will sign with 5-10 teams and then just direct himself more towards the Blues, but also he will definitely be open to singing in Ottawa for example, he is very close to his brother, similar to New Jersey too where the GM is his uncle. They were trying to trade for him prior to the draft so they must have known he was open to signing with him.
I won't be surprised if he ends up with the Blues but saying it is "guaranteed" is stupid, this is just his most preferred destination.
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