TheSportster - Top 15 NHL Breakout Players in 2017-18

[Gaskal]

Bennett at #11 and Tkachuk at #2 (although I'd argue he's already a game changer).

Top 15 NHL Players who are ready to become game hangers in 2017-18

The Flames are a team that are contenders and that could elevate Bennett’s game immensely. Although he has yet to find his scoring touch in the league, he definitely is heading in the right direction. His sophomore slump last season will motivate him to reach the levels he is supposed to be at.

Tkachuk already almost reached 50 points in his rookie season, so this year should be a big year for the kid. Tkachuk has proven that he is a top-6 forward and now will have the chance to play with superstar talent for a whole season. The Flames will be an even better team this year when Tkachuk ends up being another superstar winger for them.

[Gaudfather]

Bennett could be a real sleeper pick for hockey pools this season! Would really love to see him have a breakout year.

[GranteedEV]

Call me crazy but I think Drouin will take a step back. In Tampa he really benefited from playing on a PP with guys like Hedman, Johnson, Kucherov, Point, Stamkos, Palat. He's got ridiculous hands but he will need to produce more at even strength with a supporting cast that can't think the game like him in Montreal.

Also homer vote for Mark Jankowski!

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Hischier and Patrick do not seem like the best bets to break out. Interesting that they pick Keller from ARI and not Domi, Dvorak, etc.

They are right on Tkachuk though, future superstar who I think will take a big step forward next season. Bennett is another good bet. Jankowski is a good dark horse too.

[GoJetsGo]

I see Tkachuk developing into a Corey Perry like star in the league.

[PugnaciousIntern]

Especially if he finds himself away from Backlund and Frolik, I'm almost expecting Tkachuk to see a dip in production this year. Would probably be my choice for a player on our team to take a step back (production wise) instead of a choice for a breakout season.

Many posters called Bennett to have a breakout last year during training camp, before...the start of the season. I'm excited to see him this training camp, and compare the explosiveness compared with his performance last fall

[Vinny01]

Loving that there is some content to discuss in the past 24hrs

[IgiTang]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

I see Tkachuk developing into a Corey Perry like star in the league.

Lol.. did you come up with that all on your own?... Sorry, I couldn't resist.

Corey Perry has has been the most talked about closest comparable in terms of trajectory in development.. or hopeful anyway..

Bennett needs to figure it out this year.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

Especially if he finds himself away from Backlund and Frolik, I'm almost expecting Tkachuk to see a dip in production this year. Would probably be my choice for a player on our team to take a step back (production wise) instead of a choice for a breakout season.

Many posters called Bennett to have a breakout last year during training camp, before...the start of the season. I'm excited to see him this training camp, and compare the explosiveness compared with his performance last fall

I don't think you can break up 3M unless you have to. Unlike their previous LWers, Tkachuk can actually drive possession for Backlund and Frolik. You see it too all the time, particularly watching live - he makes all these little unspectacular plays that result in the puck moving up ice.

From Hayne's "Need to Have Backlund" article:

Only three players last year registered a SAT% Close of > 52% while also having a zone start percentage of < 36%.

LW Matthew Tkachuk CGY, 53.62 SAT% Close, 35.02 ZS%
C Mikael Backlund CGY, 53.24 SAT% Close, 35.50 ZS%
C Ryan Kesler ANA, 53.17 SAT% Close, 33.69 ZS%

Pity that we don't have super WOWY anymore to look more in depth as how much of an effect he had on Backs/Frolik. But looks like he got buried slightly more than Backs did and had slightly better results. That's incredible for a rookie.

[Monahan For Mayor]

If there is one improvement I could pick from all of are players, it would be Tkachuk skating. If he can become an above average skater not even elite. He will be one of the hardest forwards to stop in the NHL. He would also become are best player imo. The kid oozes skill, and the best part is he is confident enough to use it. That paired with his intangibles and defensive play is amazing.

Sorry for horrible grammar.

[Gaskal]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

If there is one improvement I could pick from all of are players, it would be Tkachuk skating. If he can become an above average skater not even elite. He will be one of the hardest forwards to stop in the NHL. He would also become are best player imo. The kid oozes skill, and the best part is he is confident enough to use it. That paired with his intangibles and defensive play is amazing.

Sorry for horrible grammar.

It looks like he's been working with Dawn Braid. She is one of the best in the business - clients of hers include John Tavares, Mike Cammalleri, Jason Spezza. She was a part-time consultant for Calgary but has garnered enough recognition as a skating coach to be hired full-time on Arizona.

NHLPA - Tkachuk: "One of those events that shows you the Big Picture"

“What excites me the most is that it’s another year and another opportunity,” said Tkachuk, who is working with skating coach Dawn Braid over the summer. “Last year was my first training camp and I was new to everything. This time, you know what you have to do, how you have to prepare. This year, you have to try and do something special. I’m looking forward to the new year and the new challenges that come with it.”

[Gaudfather]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

If there is one improvement I could pick from all of are players, it would be Tkachuk skating. If he can become an above average skater not even elite. He will be one of the hardest forwards to stop in the NHL. He would also become are best player imo. The kid oozes skill, and the best part is he is confident enough to use it. That paired with his intangibles and defensive play is amazing.

Sorry for horrible grammar.

Didn't Tkachuk train with Gary Roberts this summer? He should come into training camp with better strength and better speed overall.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Poor list overall but Charlie McAvoy is an excellent sleeper pick for any pools.

[Erick Estrada]

Draisaitl's skating improved a lot in his 2nd year so it's possible with hard work that Tkachuk could improve that element to his game as that's probably the only area of his game where's he's below average.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

Draisaitl's skating improved a lot in his 2nd year so it's possible with hard work that Tkachuk could improve that element to his game as that's probably the only area of his game where's he's below average.

Skating is a skill that young players are now seemingly better able to improve after the draft. Bo Horvat also was able to dramatically improve his skating. Unlike ten years ago this is something that will no longer make or break a young player's career.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Skating is a skill that young players are now seemingly better able to improve after the draft. Bo Horvat also was able to dramatically improve his skating. Unlike ten years ago this is something that will no longer make or break a young player's career.

It might still make or break a career, but I believe you are right, skating seems to have changed from a God given talent that you either have or don't have, to a skill that can be improved. The will and determination to change and improve might be the God given talent at the core.

I suspect Tkachuk will continue to improve his year, although a drop in production is always a possibility for a sophomore pro.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

It might still make or break a career, but I believe you are right, skating seems to have changed from a God given talent that you either have or don't have, to a skill that can be improved. The will and determination to change and improve might be the God given talent at the core.

I suspect Tkachuk will continue to improve his year, although a drop in production is always a possibility for a sophomore pro.

I tend to think that much of the change has primarily to do with the availability of resources and massive improvements in training techniques and technology.

[dissentowner]

The Sportster might be the worst publication out there when it comes to hockey. Read some of their other articles and you will see why.

[Gaskal]

Just did a bit of stats digging for Matthew's WOWY on 3M.

This data is a smaller sample size from Jan 2017. But even this is a very, very strong indicator that Matthew is doing a lot to push that line over the top - as much as the other two, if not more!

WOWY Spreadsheet - Matthew Tkachuk

Backlund:
Without Tkachuk: CF% - 44.74
With Tkachuk: CF% - 58.0
Tkachuk w/o Backs: CF% - 54.6

Frolik:
Without Tkachuk: CF% - 49.70
With Tkachuk: CF% - 58.2
Tkachuk w/o Frolik: CF% - 54.0

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by PugnaciousIntern

Especially if he finds himself away from Backlund and Frolik, I'm almost expecting Tkachuk to see a dip in production this year. Would probably be my choice for a player on our team to take a step back (production wise) instead of a choice for a breakout season.

I think the opposite. I think Tkachuk helped drive the play as much as those two did. And if he's away from them that means he's probably playing with players who have even more offensive skill in Gaudreau, Monahan, Bennett. I'd expect his numbers to go up if he plays with guys who have even more offensive skill than Backlund and Frolik. I think Tkachuk and Bennett could break out together and form a very dangerous 3rd scoring line if that line is tried. And even if he stays on the Frolik/Backs line I'd expect we'll see improvements in his skating and strength and that with improved confidence he'll start to just dominate.

But yeah personally I'd use Tkachuk as an offensive catalyst to get Bennett going. I think they could be a great 1-2 punch on their own line. Then for trios you have
1 - Gaudreau-Monahan
2 - Backlund-Frolik
3 - Tkachuk-Bennett

Make sure Gaudreau gets a powerforward opposite him in Ferland and then almost anybody can slot in with Backlund/Frolik or Tkachuk/Bennett. Versteeg, Brouwer, Jankowski, Foo all could make the case.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Frolik-Backlund-Brouwer
Tkachuk-Bennett-Versteeg

OR if Jankowski outshines Bennett at centre then

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuk-Jankowski-Versteeg/Brouwer
Bennett-Backlund-Frolik

I think Tkachuk shines in any scenario really. Excellent puck handling, shooting, puck protection, physical play, hockey sense, etc. If the coach uses Backlund's line as a shutdown line then I think our offence is going to be deepest when Gaudreau-Monahan and Tkachuk-Bennett/Janko are the two scoring lines we deploy whenever Backs is off. Of course you could always load up on one big line by sticking Tkachuk with Monahan-Gaudreau but I think I now like the idea of creating three elite lines instead of two.

I think those that are afraid to break up the 3M line are underrating the offensive upside a Tkachuk-Bennett or Tkachuk-Jankowski duo could have. Having three elite lines makes the Flames harder to check and deeper in scoring depth. My argument is that Backs-Frolik is our most elite checking duo and that we should have our 4 most offensively skilled players on two separate other lines away from Backs-Frolik. That way we can have an elite checking line that would be a 2nd line on most teams while also having two other lines that would be considered top two lines. The Flames will be true contenders if:
-Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland plays like a 1st line
-Tkachuk-Bennett-Versteeg/Brouwer plays like a 1st or 2nd line
-whoever-Backlund-Frolik plays like an elite two-way 2nd line that can shut down the other team's best players while still producing
-we get goaltending