Ever since the Florida Panthers acquired Brady Tkachuk from Ottawa this summer, one line combination has been on everybody’s wish list. Head coach Paul Maurice has no intention of putting it on the ice – and his explanation has left fans in stitches.
The idea writes itself. Sam Bennett and Matthew Tkachuk have been regular linemates for the past four seasons, and the Tkachuk brothers were productive together for Team USA at both the 2025 4 Nations Face-Off and the 2026 Olympics. Stacking all three would give Florida what would almost certainly be the most irritating line in the league.
Paul Maurice on Tkachuks
Asked about it on Wednesday, Maurice didn’t even pretend to consider it, and his answer has every hockey fan laughing out loud.
“I don’t want to give everybody what they want with the two Tkachuk brothers together with Sam Bennett. They’ll be in jail before the puck drops,” Maurice said, per The Hockey News’ David Dwork.
The joke has some numbers behind it. Since the start of the 2022-23 season, all three players rank inside the top 20 in the entire league in penalty minutes. Matthew has been suspended four times in his career and Bennett twice, though Brady has never been suspended.
READ MORE: What happens now that Connor Hellebuyck is suspended
There’s also some history between them that has nothing to do with playing on the same side. Brady and Bennett fought each other at the 4 Nations Face-Off, with Bennett suiting up for Canada against Team USA.
For now, Florida’s projected lineup splits them up. Brady is expected to open the season on the top line alongside Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart, while Carter Verhaeghe slots in with Bennett and Matthew, according to Daily Faceoff.
READ MORE: Stan Bowman finally addresses the Alex Formenton backlash
