Keith Tkachuk: The Florida Panthers Are ‘Soft’

Keith Tkachuk: The Florida Panthers Are ‘Soft’

Is Matthew Tkachuk already done with Florida? It’s been less than a year since that infamous trade. However, the early returns suggest the deal with be a lose-lose. I can’t say it’s surprising since we predicted this outcome from the beginning. I’m just not sure I saw things getting so bad that father Keith Tkachuk would start taking shots at the team.

This isn’t a LaVar Ball situation. Keith Tkachuk is a legend in his own right and had a successful playing career in the NHL. In fact, there may not be a more qualified dad in all of hockey to speak on these kind of things. Something to keep in mind.

“I’m a little disappointed in the Panthers,” Keith told TSN 1050 on Wednesday morning ahead of Florida’s 3-2 overtime victory against the Toronto Maple Leafs. “They’re a soft team and they’re getting everything they deserve right now.”

“(Matthew is) pretty devastated right now where they’re at,” Keith said. “But they’re still hanging on, they still have a chance, and it’s up to them to get their butts going and start playing like a team that should be a lot better than what they’re showing right now.”

“I know I sound like a frustrated person, but I know every time I come and watch Ottawa they might not be the most talented team, but they’re going to play hard,” Keith said. “And Florida maybe could take a page out of their book.”

Just a few additional bullet points to round out the post that I have.

• Calling a team soft in hockey might be the biggest insult there is. I don’t think we should undersell these comments.
• If you thought this Panthers team was going to win this year, welcome to reality. They don’t have a single defensemen on the roster that’s worth anything. Brandon Montour is nice offensively and Aaron Ekblad is kinda there. When you’re missing four other defensemen, these things are going to happen. If you were surprised by their demise, it’s time to wake up from your nap.
• “Devasted”. That’s a strong word. Is that really how Matthew feels deep down? Keep in mind the Flames went to the Conference Finals with him last year. Tkachuk is single handily carrying this team too. They might be where Columbus is without him. Could Matthew try to force his way out of there if things continue?
• How about the Ottawa praise? This tells me Keith isn’t being unreasonable. The Sens pass the eye test. That team is going to be very good eventually. The fact that he said this about Ottawa makes his comments on Florida more damaging.