It turns out Matthew Tkachuk will be going to arbitration after all. 



Tkachuk chose not to file for player-elected salary arbitration by Sunday’s 5 p.m. ET deadline but instead, the Calgary Flames have filed for club-elected arbitration. 



Tkachuk was owed a $9-million qualifying offer this year, and is one year away from unrestricted free agency after he scored 42 goals and 104 points in 82 games this season.



In a statement, the Flames said “this provides us the opportunity to continue to work with his representatives towards a contractual resolution while removing the possibility of an offer sheet.” No official dates have been set for arbitration yet, but they will run from July 27th – Aug. 11. 



According to PuckPedia, this means Tkachuk can no longer accept his qualifying offer to play on this year. The date for players to do so falls on July 22. <div class="injected-ad injected-video" data-nn-ad-tech-injection-count="0" data-nn-ad-tech-max-gap="130" data-nn-ad-tech-current-gap="150"></div>



For the Flames, this gives them some extra control over Tkachuk’s status right now as they try and sort out signing the player to a long-term deal.



Rumors have swirled around Tkachuk and his potential availability with it being reported that the New Jersey Devils offered the 2nd overall pick for Tkachuk at the draft, a deal the Flames declined. There’s also been wide-spread speculation about the player potentially asking for a trade after linemate Johnny Gaudreau left in free agency for the Columbus Blue Jackets. 


<hr>Zach Laing is the Nation Network’s news director and senior columnist. He can be followed on Twitter at<a href="http://www.twitter.com/zjlaing"> @zjlaing</a>, or reached by email at zach@oilersnation.com.
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