The Trade That BROKE The NHL Forever
Sometimes in sports, it’s not the goals, the saves, or even the championships that end up defining history—it’s a single decision. One choice, made in a tense boardroom or over a quiet phone call, can ripple through decades of a franchise’s story.
And in the summer of 2022, one player made a choice that would not just shift two teams’ fates, but would completely rewrite the competitive landscape of the NHL. That player? Matthew Kachuk.
At the time, Kachuk wasn’t just another star forward. He was the heartbeat of Calgary’s offense, a young, fiery competitor who embodied everything the Flames thought they wanted to be—tough, talented, and relentless. Fans loved him. Opponents hated him. And teammates relied on him.
But then came the moment that blindsided Calgary. After years of building his career there, after carving out an identity as a cornerstone of the franchise, Matthew Kachuk quietly let the organization know… he wasn’t coming back. And with that, the countdown began. A franchise-altering trade was no longer a question of “if”—but “when.”
