{"id":453773,"date":"2026-02-10T23:08:16","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T23:08:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/453773\/"},"modified":"2026-02-10T23:08:16","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T23:08:16","slug":"matthew-tkachuk-reignites-canada-usa-tension-with-pointed-comment-about-anthony-cirelli","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rawchili.com\/nhl\/453773\/","title":{"rendered":"Matthew Tkachuk reignites Canada\u2013USA tension with pointed comment about Anthony Cirelli"},"content":{"rendered":"


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\n\t\t\t\t\t \"Feb <\/p>\n

Photo credit: David Kirouac-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

Team USA forward Matthew Tkachuk appears to take a certain pleasure in publicly throwing jabs at his rivals during his media interviews.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

While praising a teammate is nothing unusual, the wording used by Tkachuk left little room for interpretation.<\/p>\n

The agitator told the media that replacing Cirelli with Bennett was a “big upgrade” and that it made Canada better.<\/p>\n

“Really good player, definitely an upgrade for their team.”<\/p>\n

– Tkachuk<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s be honest, that statement goes beyond simple moral support.<\/p>\n

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\u2019s defensive specialist.<\/p>\n

He didn\u2019t have a single good word for Cirelli, either.<\/p>\n

Matthew Tkachuk appears to show contempt for Anthony Cirelli, and it\u2019s not sitting well in Canada\u2019s locker room<\/p>\n

The Panthers and the Lightning are currently involved in one of the fiercest rivalries in the NHL.<\/p>\n

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.<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s call it like it is: Tkachuk\u2019s judgment is clearly influenced by this trench warfare.<\/p>\n

Although Cirelli was originally selected for his specific defensive profile, Tkachuk, true to form, couldn\u2019t help but preach for his own parish at the expense of his rival.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n

That said, I\u2019m convinced Suzuki would be far more elegant in his remarks if that ever happened.<\/p>\n

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

Previously on Montreal Hockey Fanatics<\/p>\n

POLL<\/p>\n

8 HOURS AGO|277 ANSWERS<\/p>\n

Matthew Tkachuk reignites Canada\u2013USA tension with pointed comment about Anthony Cirelli<\/p>\n

Which Panthers player would you take first on your team?<\/p>\n

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