“I don’t give a s**t”: Tkachuk brothers make honest admission on unfinished Olympics arena

NHL: All-Star Game - Source: Imagn
Tkachuk brothers make honest admission on unfinished Olympics arena - Source: Imagn

The Tkachuk brothers discussed the rink problems tied to the 2026 Milan-Cortina Olympics during a segment of their "Wingmen" podcast. Matthew and Brady Tkachuk shared their views on the stalled arena and the worry spreading through NHL circles, making it clear they would go even if the circumstances were not ideal.

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"Even if it’s not safe, I still wanna play," Matthew said. "I don’t give a sh*t. I’m going over there. I wanna compete."

Brady echoed a similar sentiment:

"We’re going there no matter what."

Matthew joked that he would even play “on the Atlantic Ocean,” and Brady lightheartedly answered that he would play on a lake or in a park. Both said the debate feels bigger than it should be.

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The Milan rink is reportedly more than 3 feet shorter than NHL standards, prompting concern about its suitability. The NHL, NHLPA, IOC, and IIHF initially agreed that the main sheet must follow NHL dimensions.

NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly said players will participate only if the rink in Milan is completed on time and is up to standards.

"Depends on the percent you want to place on the possibility the rink doesn’t get completed," Daly said. "If there’s no rink completed, there’s no NHL players going to the Olympics."
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Pete DeBoer's comments on Olympics rink dimensions

Team Canada assistant coach Pete DeBoer spoke about the issue on "Real Kyper and Bourne." He said he cannot understand how the measurements ended up that far off.

"The ice surface, it looks like it's going to be smaller than NHL rink standard by probably 3 or 4 feet," DeBoer commented. "I don't understand how that happened."

DeBoer was part of the inspection team that visited the rink in Italy after Gary Bettman raised concerns in November. The NHL still wants its top stars in the Olympics, and for that, the arena must be ready.

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Edited by Ankit Kumar
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