TSN analyst proposes nightmare scenario for Matthew Tkachuk if Canada meets USA in the Olympics

To preface this all, first, Canada has to get past a stingy Finland squad in tomorrow's semifinal matchup. The Finns always play a heavy, structured game that demands a solid effort.

But the entire hockey world is already looking past Friday. Fans and pundits alike are salivating over a potential gold medal clash featuring Canada against the United States.

That hypothetical matchup brings a massive physical problem for the Canadian roster. The Americans boast a heavy, aggressive forecheck designed to punish top-tier skill players.

The main antagonist on that roster is Matthew Tkachuk. He is a guy who will do absolutely anything to win a high-stakes hockey game, regardless of the optics.

Tkachuk has made a lucrative NHL career out of dragging his opponents into the mud. You just know he already has Connor McDavid squarely in his physical crosshairs.

Enter TSN analyst Mike Johnson. He went on the OverDrive radio show Thursday evening with a wild but brilliant tactical suggestion to keep the captain safe from the incoming abuse.

Johnson openly begged the Canadian management group to staple Tkachuk's Panthers teammate Sam Bennett directly to McDavid's wing if the two North American rivals eventually meet for the gold medal.

The tactical logic here is entirely based on mutual respect and a looming threat of mutually assured destruction on the ice.

Bennett and Tkachuk are brothers in arms down in Florida. They won a Stanley Cup together back in 2024 and a second one last season, and understand each other's aggressive tendencies perfectly well.

With 41 penalty minutes and a +12 rating already logged this season, Bennett knows exactly how to handle the dark arts and physical intimidation required in these tight games.

Johnson painted a highly specific, vivid picture of exactly what Bennett would say to his Panthers teammate right before the opening faceoff.

"I want Sammy Bennett to go to Matthew Tkachuk and say, 'Matt, I love ya, but if you touch him again, we're gonna fight and we're both getting kicked out of this game."

He continued the intense hypothetical quote: "...or I'm going to run Quinn Hughes into the 14th row and get suspended, but I don't care because I'm not playing in another Olympics.'"

It is an incredibly aggressive deployment strategy. But putting a bodyguard on that top line might be the only way to ensure the best player in the world has the open ice he needs.

A scenario such as this would be nightmare fuel for the Panthers fans watching intently, as they have love for both Bennett and Tkachuk.

However, I'm sure a part of them are intrigued to see how that matchup would play out, were it to occur.