Brian Burke's Hall of Fame weekend just got a little awkward, as Keith Tkachuk says the no-trade clause comments were aimed at his sons.
Burke goes into the Hall as a builder in the Class of 2026, with the induction ceremony scheduled for today. Tkachuk goes in alongside him.
Over the weekend, Burke spoke to the media about no-trade clauses, a topic that has turned into a hot button across the league in recent months. He did not hold back, and he did not name anyone.
"I'm not supposed to say anything controversial, am I? I don't like it," Burke admitted.
Tkachuk heard it differently. "I felt Burkie was looking at me when he was saying that," Keith Tkachuk told Chris Johnston. "About my kids."
It's easy to see where he got that idea. Matthew Tkachuk requested a trade out of Calgary after the Flames drafted him sixth overall in 2016, and Brady Tkachuk later did the same with the Senators, who took him fourth overall in 2018.
Both brothers now play for the Panthers, and they were in the middle of it again this afternoon. We reported that Brady and Matthew Tkachuk's misconducts in Boston came three minutes apart, and the Bruins beat Florida 4-1.
Was Burke really talking about the Tkachuks?
Burke never said so, and nothing in his comments points to a single family. Keith Tkachuk, a 1,201-game NHL veteran with 538 goals, made the connection himself.
But the reaction tells you how the subject has landed. When an inductee with that résumé hears a general complaint and thinks of his own kids, the debate has gone well past a few agents and front offices.
Burke has never shied away from controversy, and choosing this weekend to be blunt about it only adds fuel. The argument over how much power a player should have over where he plays is not going away, and a lot of fans will side with him.
Brady Tkachuk has been a lightning rod before. We recently covered Brady Tkachuk's heated moment with a Blackhawks rookie, and he enters the week with 19 points in 17 games.
Neither Tkachuk son has spoken publicly about Burke's comments. The ceremony today will put the two Hall of Famers in the same room again.
Quick hits
DEVILS: Anthony Mantha "will miss some time" after a high-stick to the throat, according to head coach Sheldon Keefe, and he is out tonight in Toronto. A scary one, and a real hole in the lineup.
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AVALANCHE: Cale Makar was pulled from Sunday's practice and will be reevaluated Monday, according to LNH Fr. Colorado fans will be holding their breath until then.
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MAPLE LEAFS: Mark Masters reports that Morgan Rielly and Chris Tanev are both out tonight against the Devils. That is two defensemen gone from the blue line in one night.
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JETS: RotoWire reports that Josh Morrissey will not play tonight against the Lightning because of a wrist injury. Losing a top defenseman is a tough way to start the night.
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PENGUINS: The team announced Sunday afternoon that it recalled forward Rutger McGroarty from Wilkes-Barre/Scranton, hours before tonight's game at Anaheim. Watch where he slots in.
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Was Brian Burke right to call out players who force their way out of town?
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