Evander Kane mocks Matthew Tkachuck’s take on the rivalry in Florida

Matthew Tkachuk is the newest member of the Florida Panthers and is already focused on the rivalry in his new state. Last Friday night, the Calgary Flames traded Tkachuk a conditional fourth-round pick in 2025 to the Panthers, in return for star forward Jonathan Huberdeau, defenseman MacKenzie Weegar, prospect Cole Schwindt and a conditional first-round pick in 2025. Tkachuk then immediately signed an eight-year deal worth $9.5 million per season in Florida.

When asked about what the future holds for him with the Panthers, Tkachuk couldn’t help but send a message to a pair of rival teams, the Edmonton Oilers and the Tampa Bay Lightning.

“I hate Edmonton,” said Tkachuk before adding “I hate Tampa more now.”

The Oilers were of course bitter rivals during Tkachuk’s time as a member of the Flames, a rivalry that it seems he intends to bring with him to Florida, and the heated rivalry between the Panthers and intrastate rivals the Tampa Bay Lightning is well documented.

However, when another commented from Tkachuk was shared on social media, Oilers’ Evander Kane couldn’t help but mock him but simply commenting LOL under it. That’s following Tkachuk saying:

“There is a team in the same state here that’s had a lot of success recently. I’m here to change that.”

Kane is not impressed by Tkachuk’s promises, but we get why the Oilers’ forward isn’t a fan. During Game 1 of the second round series between the Oilers and Flames, Tkachuk appeared to use Kane’s reported money troubles as a way to get under his skin. In that game, Tkachuk visibly asks Kane if he “wants some money,” all while making a little pay me gesture towards the upset Oilers forward.

We get why Kane wants to mock Tkachuk’s new ventures in Florida.