Matthew Tkachuk called out for being “disrespectful to the game” in season opener

The Florida Panthers raised their 2024 championship banner to the roof of Amerant Bank Arena on Tuesday, right before their 2024-25 season opener against the Boston Bruins. Then, they kept going with the celebrations, scoring six goals and getting the fans involved as they had fun at the expense of the Bruins, chanting “We want Swayman”, refering to the star goalie who acted as backup for the game. It was just on Sunday that Jeremy Swayman agreed to an eight-year, $66 million deal after a long contract stalemate with the Bruins.

While fans and players in Florida were having, one specific Bruin did not enjoy what had been done to him. After the 6-4 loss to the Panthers, forward Trent Frederic revealed that Matthew Tkachuk asked him to go and then wouldn’t drop the gloves, perhaps trying to sucker Frederic into a penalty.

“I didn’t know guys did that. A little disrespectful to the game,” said Frederic.

Tkachuk has often been criticized for his style of play on NHL ice, but I have to say, this comes sooner than I could have imagined. I miss we are just one game into the season.

In 16 minutes and 42 seconds of play that night, Tkachuk recorded an assist, but was also sent to the penalty box, a minor for roughing Frederic on that aforementioned play.

Tkachuk’s style of play has been working for him, I mean, he did win the Stanley Cup after all, but he sure is getting a reputation across the league.