The contract was structured in a way that makes Tkachuk a free agent sooner rather than later. If he wanted to stay in Calgary long tearm, they would have negotiated something then. Trade him before the next season starts. I like the guy, but he and his agent played Treliving as a fool. Tkachuk's agent went in dry and Treliving thanked him for it.
I think there is slim to no chance that Tkachuk won't just accept his exorbitant QO and leave as a free agent the next year. He won't be negotiating a long term deal with the Flames past his QO when he can just accept the $9 million and leave as a free agent to do that with any team in the league. $9 million for one more season is a good incentive for him to take the risk and bet on himself as a UFA.
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"A pessimist thinks things can't get any worse. An optimist knows they can."
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