from Eric Francis of Sportsnet,

“You look at Jonathan, that was an emotional time for him and I think that’s why he had a hard time early,” said Sutter.

“He wasn’t expecting to be traded out of Florida. That was hard for him. Now his game is where you want it to be, but that takes time.

“Matthew made that choice and he was ready for it, so

And while the coach opened camp with a significant potshot directed at Tkachuk, he said for the first time Friday he totally respects the winger’s summertime decision to trigger a trade by not re-upping with the club.

“The storyline there is the CBA,” explained Sutter.

“Matthew went entry-level; bridge; career-year. Just look at the history of the league: entry level; bridge; career year - what happens? Free agency. That’s exactly what happened.

“Good on him.”

There’s more.

“It had nothing to do with Calgary - I think Covid alienated him from his family and the US,” said Sutter.

“There were times last year I felt sorry for Matthew.

“He was a guy who was always at the rink, and I was always at the rink, and he couldn’t do anything, or go anywhere, or go home.

“Good on him for going to Brad (Treliving) about it, quite honest.

“That’s what I think.

“Obviously we lost a top player, but you score 40 goals, get 60 assists and you’re plus-50...

"Good on ya.”

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