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Leon Draisaitl responds to Tkachuk’s chirp, extended video released on the incident


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Liam McCormick
February 16, 2026  (2:55 PM)
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Leon Draisaitl
Photo credit: Geoff Burke - Imagn Images

Matthew Tkachuk went hard after Leon Draisaitl in yesterday’s Olympic game between USA and Germany, and now both players are speaking out about the incident.

Caught on a hot mic during the game Matthew Tkachuk chirped Draisaitl by saying he was ‘always the bridesmaid, never the bride’, referencing the last two Cup Finals results. It was a deeply personal chirp on display for the whole hockey world to see.

Leon Draisaitl responds to Matthew Tkachuk’s chirp during Olympics

Not only that, but an extended video has been released of what Tkachuk was saying to Draisaitl. Tkachuk added that Draisaitl personally could’ve been better, and maybe his teams would’ve had a better result.
Always the bridesmaid, Leon, never the bride.

If you would be a little bit better, you might’ve had a chance. Cost all your teams!

- Matthew Tkachuk
Speaking to Ryan Rishaug of TSN today, Draisaitl said very little about the incident.
RISHAUG: Tkachuk’s chirping at you, any different at the Olympics dealing with that?

DRAISAITL: No.

RISHAUG: Same old?

DRAISAITL: Yep.

However, Draisaitl did give a longer answer in a recent German interview. Really, he seems to care very little about Tkachuk running his mouth.
Yeah, that’s his game, he’s doing it well in his opinion. It doesn’t really reach me but the media always makes it bigger than it actually is. I can’t say anything else, [the chirps] don’t really interest me.

- Leon Draisaitl
Draisaitl did try to take action on the ice and go after Tkachuk for the chirps, but as he does, Matthew just turtled and skated away. Draisaitl had a good laugh about that seen on the broadcast.
At this Olympics Draisaitl has had an all-business attitude, and doesn’t let the mouthy Tkachuks get under his skin. He’ll leave his play on the ice to do the talking.
The Oilers and Panthers will meet one more time this season on March 19th, where hopefully, this personal rivalry will be revived once more.
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Leon Draisaitl responds to Tkachuk’s chirp, extended video released on the incident

Do you think Draisaitl will go after Tkachuk in the Oilers next game against the Panthers?


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