Matthew Frickin' Tkachuk!

[dying4acup]

Still see pairs going forward as:
gaudreau-Monahan
Backlund-Frolik
Bennett-Tkachuk

But jankowski will factor in now. Hopefully Foo as well.

[Rick M.]

I'm hoping he's working on improving his foot speed this summer. It's the only deficiency he has.

[Love]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

I'm hoping he's working on improving his foot speed this summer. It's the only deficiency he has.

Wouldn't hurt to have him add some velocity to his shot either

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Love

Wouldn't hurt to have him add some velocity to his shot either

I think that will come as he physically matures, but you're right. He mostly chips in his goals.

[Gaudfather]

Ferland could help him with his shot. Or Steeger.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Gaudfather

Ferland could help him with his shot. Or Steeger.

Or Monahan. Or Hamilton.

[icecube]

Or Iginla?

[MissTeeks]

http://www.nhlpa.com/news/tkachuk-it...he-big-picture

He’s one of hockey’s most intense players, but don’t expect quite the same competitive display from Matthew Tkachuk when he serves up his best shot at the Smashfest Charity Ping-Pong Challenge.

Soon enough, Tkachuk will flip the switch and set his sights on the upcoming NHL season, one that begins for Calgary with a road game against Edmonton on October 4.
He’ll have new teammates in the fold this season, including goaltender Mike Smith and defenceman Travis Hamonic, both acquired in June trades.
One bonus to having Smith between the pipes? Less bruises on the back of the legs.
“I’ve had a couple texts (with new Flames players) here and there,” noted Tkachuk. “I train with Mike. Seeing him every day – he’s really excited – it’s good to see that. He’s a great goalie and I’m definitely happy that he’s a teammate now. I seem to recall getting my fair share of whacks from him, too. Hopefully, I won’t get any in practice, but we’ll have to see.”

Getting another shot at the Stanley Cup, however, remains front and centre for Tkachuk, who admitted the Flames first-round playoff sweep at the hands of the Anaheim Ducks still stings.
“Hopefully, we are in it for the long run next year,” said the son of former NHLer Keith Tkachuk. “I’m a pretty fierce competitor and it didn’t sit well with me, the short run we had. To this day, I still think about it. Up until my next shot at NHL playoffs, it will probably always be in my head.”
No need to ask if he’s up for the challenge.
“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]

This was just over a year ago - good memories - and good things in store!

Tre has that "just wait and see what we got here" look on his face.

Spoiler!

[bax]

Originally Posted by MissTeeks

http://www.nhlpa.com/news/tkachuk-it...he-big-picture

Awesome news. If I'm not mistaken isn't that skating coach the one that really helped Tavares with his skating? I can't wait to see what Chucky does next year.

[Flamescuprun2018]

Originally Posted by bax

Awesome news. If I'm not mistaken isn't that skating coach the one that really helped Tavares with his skating? I can't wait to see what Chucky does next year.

You are right. That's the one. First full time female NHL coach.

Braid also spent seven years with the Athletes Training Center as director of skating development. Among the skaters she worked with while there is New York Islanders center John Tavares.

From NHL.com:

“Dawn has wanted to put me in to make myself a more powerful and efficient skater,” Tavares told NHL.com in 2012. “Dawn always says, ‘If you didn’t train properly and do the certain things you need to do, you’re not going to be strong enough to do the things I want you to do.'”

Source:http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2016/08/24/...n-nhl-history/

[Macindoc]

Originally Posted by Flamescuprun2018

You are right. That's the one. First full time female NHL coach.

Braid also spent seven years with the Athletes Training Center as director of skating development. Among the skaters she worked with while there is New York Islanders center John Tavares.

From NHL.com:

“Dawn has wanted to put me in to make myself a more powerful and efficient skater,” Tavares told NHL.com in 2012. “Dawn always says, ‘If you didn’t train properly and do the certain things you need to do, you’re not going to be strong enough to do the things I want you to do.'”

Source:http://nhl.nbcsports.com/2016/08/24/...n-nhl-history/

I think female coaches (and figure skating coaches) can often help male skaters make their skating more quiet and efficient, which greatly helps their speed. Male skaters have a tendency to try to do it all with power rather than focusing on their technique, resulting in a lot of wasted effort, and more fatigue with less speed.

[Freeway]

A lot of players work with Dawn Braid these days. I believe the Flames refer players to her during the off-season to work on things.

[Moneyhands23]

If Dawn is the best skating coach in the world then im super happy and proud that Tkachuk is training with her.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Freeway

A lot of players work with Dawn Braid these days. I believe the Flames refer players to her during the off-season to work on things.

I hope Monahan is among them.

[handgroen]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

I hope Monahan is among them.

I think he's spending the summer with his 4 goals in 4 playoff games coach

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by handgroen

I think he's spending the summer with his 4 goals in 4 playoff games coach

Monahan would have 8 if he skated better, and not all would be on the powerplay.

[Phaneufenstein]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Monahan would have 8 if he skated better, and not all would be on the powerplay.

Yea and Gaudreau should hit the gym so that he can start crushing people into the boards right?

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Phaneufenstein

Yea and Gaudreau should hit the gym so that he can start crushing people into the boards right?

Monahan's foot speed holds him back from elite status. Gaudreau's lack of size does not.

[Phaneufenstein]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Monahan's foot speed holds him back from elite status. Gaudreau's lack of size does not.

He's not a speed demon obviously, but it's not dragging him down IMO.
That's not his game anyway. He scores all his goals 5-10 feet away from the net. It's not like he'll suddenly change the kind of player he is or the game he plays.