Feb 13, 2025; Montreal, Quebec, CAN; [Imagn Images direct customers only] Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk (19) skates against Team Finland in the third period during a 4 Nations Face-Off ice hockey game at Bell Centre. Mandatory Credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images

Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk appears to take a certain pleasure in publicly throwing jabs at his rivals during his media interviews.

This time, it was a last-minute change to the Canadian lineup ahead of the Olympic Games that drew a reaction and gave Matthew Tkachuk the opportunity to reignite tensions.

While praising a teammate is nothing unusual, the wording used by Tkachuk left little room for interpretation.

The agitator told the media that replacing Cirelli with Bennett was a “big upgrade” and that it made Canada better.

“Really good player, definitely an upgrade for their team.”

– Tkachuk

Let’s be honest, that statement goes beyond simple moral support.

By framing it that way, Tkachuk is directly taking a shot at Anthony Cirelli, suggesting that the Canadian lineup is better off without the Lightning’s defensive specialist.

He didn’t have a single good word for Cirelli, either.

Matthew Tkachuk appears to show contempt for Anthony Cirelli, and it’s not sitting well in Canada’s locker room

The Panthers and the Lightning are currently involved in one of the fiercest rivalries in the NHL.

To illustrate this animosity, just look at the numbers: including preseason games, these two teams have racked up over 900 penalty minutes in their matchups this season.

Let’s call it like it is: Tkachuk’s judgment is clearly influenced by this trench warfare.

Although Cirelli was originally selected for his specific defensive profile, Tkachuk, true to form, couldn’t help but preach for his own parish at the expense of his rival.

It’s a situation comparable to how Montreal fans would react if Nick Suzuki claimed that adding Cole Caufield to the American team made the United States better at the expense of a Toronto Maple Leafs player.

That said, I’m convinced Suzuki would be far more elegant in his remarks if that ever happened.

But even in an Olympic context where national unity should come first, Matthew Tkachuk still finds a way to pour fuel on the fire.

Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics

POLL

8 HOURS AGO|277 ANSWERS

Matthew Tkachuk reignites Canada–USA tension with pointed comment about Anthony Cirelli

Which Panthers player would you take first on your team?