Florida Panthers star Matthew Tkachuk has officially requested the removal of Nathan MacKinnon’s Most Valuable Player (MVP) award from the 4 Nations Face-Off tournament.

Tkachuk, who has long been known for his fiery competitiveness and sharp tongue, raised eyebrows with his recent comments, calling out MacKinnon for what he described as a “look of entitlement” that he believes undermines the integrity of the award.

However, Tkachuk, a veteran of international play and a skilled agitator on the ice, took issue not with MacKinnon’s play but with his “attitude.” In a statement released through his representatives, Tkachuk expressed his belief that MacKinnon’s demeanor during the tournament — particularly his “entitled look” — tarnished the essence of the MVP award, which he argues should be given to a player who embodies both skill and humility.

Matthew Tkachuk, Panthers Playoff Postgame — Game 1: Boston Bruins 3, Florida 1

“Winning an award should be about more than just scoring goals or making plays,” Tkachuk said. “It’s about representing the spirit of the game, and in my opinion, Nathan MacKinnon has an entitled look on his face. It’s one thing to be confident, but it’s another to carry an aura that you deserve it. It sets a bad example.”

“I’m not saying Nathan isn’t a great player; everyone knows he is,” Tkachuk clarified. “But when the spotlight shines on you, it’s important to stay grounded. Being MVP is more than just being the best on the ice — it’s about how you carry yourself, and I feel like Nathan lost that this time.”

Brad Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk’s Shocking Team Up Excites NHL Fans for Upcoming Playoffs Season

“My goal is to play here forever. I love it here, and my family obviously loves it here. It’s all I know.” It was just a month ago when Boston Bruins captain Brad Marchand had said this. Business, however, superseded emotion, and the legend had to be sacrificed at the altar of what seems like Joe Sacco’s “long-term” plan. But all is not bleak.

Not for Florida Panthers fans, at least.

After almost two decades with the Boston Bruins, Brad Marchand, the former captain, will wear a different jersey. Signing for a rival is going to feel as unreal for Marchand as it did for Bruins fans — who were fuming because their legend got traded for a 2027 conditional second-round draft pick. And what’s perhaps worse for them is now that Marchand is moving to the Florida Panthers, he could be teaming up against the Bruins with none other than the older of the two Bash Brothers — Matthew Tkachuk. Meanwhile, Florida fans and general NHL enthusiasts are absolutely stoked by the possibility!

They, however, will have to wait a little longer for that to happen.

BRAD MARCHAND IS A FLORIDA PANTHER pic.twitter.com/Frvy3kVHAP

— Florida Panthers (@FlaPanthers) March 7, 2025

That’s because with the trade deadline looming, Marchand was ruled week-to-week with an upper-body injury, making his immediate impact uncertain. In fact, Tkachuk himself is on LTIR because of the injury he sustained during the 4 Nations Face-Off. But that didn’t stop fans from flooding social media with some of the most well-curated memes to celebrate the team-up.

Well, the hype has been real! As soon as the news came out, fans started feeling it. One fan posted a picture from the iconic movie Step Brothers with the caption, “Brad Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk”, implying that—just like the titular characters Dale and Brennan—Tkachuk won’t get along with Boston’s Little Ball of Hate. But it’s safe to say that despite their differences, they will get along just fine, especially with the Stanley Cup on the line.

And fans were quick to catch on to that vibe. One fan posted a clip of two wrestlers smashing a table with a third, captioning it, “Brad Marchand and Matthew Tkachuk in the same team.” And can you really call it inaccurate? I mean even the NHL website describes Marchand as “chirpy, antagonistic, indomitable, and irritating.” As someone who isn’t above going for questionable hits, he is only going to amplify Matthew Tkachuk’s style. But then again, Tkachuk is not the only wrecking ball that Marchand will get to play alongside as part of the Panthers.

After all, his countryman Sam Bennett is also going to be there. And in case you need a refresher, Bennett was the one who went fist-to-fist with none other than Brady Tkachuk during the opening nine seconds of Canada’s 4 Nations round-robin game against the U.S. Naturally the moment called for a clip from the movie Slap Shot, where the bespectacled Hanson brothers are seen smashing their opponents against the glass. The caption? “Matthew Tkachuk, Sam Bennett, and Brad Marchand all playing for the Florida Panthers.” In fact, there was another post captioned “Brad Marchand, Matthew Tkachuk and Sam Bennett in the Panthers locker room.” that showed the three brothers sitting in the locker room with bloodied noses. Iconic.

Another fan thought that WWE’s New World Order would paint a more accurate picture and so went on to post a picture of legends Hulk Hogan, Scott Hall, and Kevin Nash in their legendary nWo t-shirts with a simple caption: “Matthew Tkachuk, Brad Marchand and Sam Bennett”