Insider believes Tkachuk's days as a Flame are over

Less than a week after losing Johnny Gaudreau, the team now very much appears on the brink of having to part with Matthew Tkachuk.

That's the most reasonable way to interpret news late Monday that the Flames have filed to take Tkachuk to salary arbitration.

In all likelihood, Tkachuk has indicated to the Flames what many have feared for years — that he isn't interested in extending his stay in Calgary.

Flames GM Brad Treliving politely refused comment on the move when contacted by Sportsnet, but the reality is clear: if Tkachuk isn't willing to sign for more than one year, he has to be traded.

- Eric Francis