Matthew Tkachuk made a seemingly classy comment about Connor McDavid after the Florida Panthers beat the Edmonton Oilers in the Stanley Cup Final on Tuesday night, but many fans believed there was hidden meaning behind it.
The Panthers won their second consecutive Stanley Cup title with a convincing 5-1 win over Edmonton in Game 6 at Amerant Bank Arena in Sunrise, Fla. Amid his team’s celebration, Tkachuk was asked about Oilers star Connor McDavid.
Tkachuk said McDavid is too good to not win a Stanley Cup of his own one day.
“When you have a player that good and that talented, he’s going to win (the Stanley Cup) one day. Wherever it is,” Tkachuk said.
Matthew Tkachuk on Connor McDavid: "When you have a player that good and that talented, he's going to win (the Stanley Cup) one day. Wherever it is."
— Chris Johnston (@reporterchris) June 18, 2025
Tkachuk was obviously paying McDavid a compliment. However, many people felt the Panthers star was sending a message with the “wherever it is” portion of his remarks.
McDavid is set to become a free agent after next season. Fans think Tkachuk was suggesting McDavid should leave Edmonton.
Hes recruiting him ffs
— Mario LeCrosGoat (@MarioLeGoat) June 18, 2025
"Whereever it is"
— RaYrAy (@flamesfever) June 18, 2025
Tkachuk throwing hints to McDavid
“Wherever it is”
— gearshift (@GearshiftMike) June 18, 2025
Lmaooooo this guys trolling already
McDavid to Florida
— State of Hoppy (@StateOfHoppy) June 18, 2025
Probably at Florida
— Nick Walker (@nw3) June 18, 2025
McDavid has been linked to the New York Rangers, but the Oilers still have plenty of time to sign him to a new deal. It is not out of the question that the three-time Hart Trophy winner may decide he has gone as far as he can in Edmonton.
The Panthers were aggressive this year and made another huge addition even after winning the Stanley Cup last season. Perhaps Tkachuk is hoping Florida will make a move for McDavid, though that seems unlikely to happen.
