Quote:
Originally Posted by New Era
@flamesdraftwatcher
I don't agree with your assessment of Tkachuk. I don't see a power forward in him at all. I don't see him as a dominant forward along the boards. I don't see him owning the front of the net. I also don't see him bulling his way to the net with much regularity. Frankly, when I watch Tkachuk I see the least talented player on his line and a guy that makes hay because of his line mates. I also don't believe his game in junior will translate to the pros. Defensemen are much bigger and stronger. Tkachuk is likely to be average size, and that will hurt him. I'd be surprised if he turns into a player like you're talking about.
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What style of forward is he then if not a power forward?
IMO there's a few general types of forwards that I think you can classify a player as:
Finesse winger or pure skill winger: ala Gaudreau, Kane
Playmaking, pass first type centre: ala Joe Thornton
Dual threat centre with playmaking and scoring (aka franchise centre): ala Malkin, Crosby, Sakic, Yzerman, Toews, etc)
Goal scoring winger: ala Bure, Kessel, Ovechkin
Powerforward: ala Simmonds, Lucic, Paccioretty, Wheeler, Hartnell, Foligno, Perry, Maroon, etc
Grinder: ala Hathaway, Bouma, Jooris
Two way centre: ala Backlund
Two way winger :ala Frolik
Now size isn't the only determinant in being a power forward. But bigger players often succeed more easily at that style because they power through checking more easily. What determines a finesse player vs a power forward is how they operate in the offensive zone, how they beat people. Gaudreau beats people with skill, stick handling, agility, anticipation, speed. Lucic beats people with size, strength, puck protection.
IMO Tkachuk has enough of puck protection, grind along the boards, type style of play to call him a power forward even though he will as you point out have merely average size at the NHL level. But he's also got great hockey IQ and playmaking. As one of the quotes I've often pulled out on him says, he can beat you with finesse or with power. So maybe we should be calling him a hybrid player who implements elements of both skill and power? I dunno.
What style of play would you describe his as if you had to sum it up?