Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
I think they will both be great players. But I take the power forward every time. So rare to be able to draft a 1st line power forward. Preference for sure. I know some fans would take the more flashy guy.
Did you watch the Tkachuk highlight package a few pages back?
In my opinion power forwards become even more valuable in the playoffs when it gets tighter checking and less penalties are called. Guys like Tkachuk can fight through checks, muck in and around the crease, screen goalies, make little plays around the goal. Sometimes softer skilled European players can be shut down physically by big defensemen or they fade to the perimeter (obviously not all, the best fight through it.)
I mean how quickly have we forgotten getting physically dominated by the Ducks? They were bigger, stronger and more powerful than us. Our best player is one of the smaller guys in the league, ideally I'd wanna surround him with big, strong, physical, skilled guys to make room for him.
Nylander is sublimely skilled and I won't be disappointed if we take him but a guy like Tkachuk could be a warrior out there and allow us to play a power forward on each of our top two lines. I think some fans underestimate the impact of power forwards and how hard it is to physically check them and shut them down, especially in the playoffs. They make room on the ice by powering through checks, drawing defenders to them and then dishing it off.
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Yeah I've been geeking out a bit lately on the old highlight packs. Not just those that have been posted though.
Uhhhh, I get the PWF thing, I really do. But Alex Nylander is not much smaller and played a tougher game than I have ever seen his brother play.
It's just preference. I ant a pure RH/RW for the Flames. And I feel like outside of Laine or Puljujarvi, Nylander is the next in line.
I'll be okay with Tkachuk, but it really doesn't do anything for the long term viability of the absolute lack of tangible depth on RW in the organization. They addressed the D depth last year, next up...RW.
Also, if we want a PWF, just go out and draft Yegor Korshkov (19, 6'3", 179 lbs. LH/RW). That guy was a knock out in the WJC.
EDIT: Tkachuks 63 (15 goals) points in 33 gp makes him stand out big time over Nylanders paltry 51 (23 goals) in 36 gp. Difference? Tkachuk is with London and Nylander is in Missisauga. I feel like Nylander is carrying his team wheras Tkachuk is riding some coat tails.