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Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
Stylistic comparison, you can't equate their numbers. And even if you could Hartnell has scored 30, 37 and 28 goals at the NHL level too, with three 60 point seasons. I'd happily take a 30g, 30a power forward out of this draft if we're drafting outside the top 3, who wouldn't? A 30g, 30a power forward is a more useful player a finesse forward who scores slightly more.
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I don't see a Hartnell player in Tkachuk. He's going to have a little bit of fiestiness in his game but I don't see a rough and tumble player in him. I don't see a power forward either. When I watch him I see a little bit of Brian Propp in him, maybe even a little Brian Sutter, but not a power forward like Cam Neeley or Jarome Iginla. If there is a power forward in the making on the Knights I think it's Max Jones. He's shown that power move off the wall more than anyone I've seen this year, and he has a propensity to try and run guys over on his way to the net. Tkachuk is more of a skilled player with an ability to muck it up in the dirty areas.
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What concerns about his skating?
http://ohlprospects.blogspot.ca/2016...-for-2016.html
"He works extremely hard to get back on the backcheck, and it’s helped out greatly by his skating." - Dominic Tiano
"A strong skater, Nylander possesses above average speed and strong change of pace/direction abilities that when combined with his high end puck skills and hockey sense allow him to be extremely shifty and elusive. Most impressive about Nylander's skating is his separation speed. Nylander often catches unsuspecting defenders flat footed when he turns on his second gear, beating the opposition to high percentage scoring areas." - Mike Mackley
"An elusive skater with elite hockey smarts. He is a strong puckhandler and has fantastic vision which makes for great playmaking skills. His agility and fancy footwork allows himself to get out of trouble." - Kathryn Jean
I don't believe skating is a weakness for Nylander. What are you basing that on?
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I think the problem here is you're reading thes quotes from scouts and think they apply to his skill at the NHL level. These comments are about his performance against his peer group, which is fine. I think a lot of people are talking about how his game is going to translate and how he's going to do in the NHL against the best players. Nylander is a very skilled guy, but he tends to blend into the woodwork against the best players in his peer group. That isn't a negative and saying he is not a very skilled player, just an observation on his playing style and ability. His skating skill is above average at the junior level, but will it be good enough at the pro level? See Griffin Reinhart for an example of the skill not translating.
Personally I think Nylander's skills are more than enough to make up for any issue his skating presents. My issue is where he will fit in the lineup and the needs of a team. I see him as a 2nd line winger, and probably more likely to succeed in the east than the west. Like it or not, we have to consider style of play and what players have the best chance of success in that context. I'm back and forth on Nylander and Tkachuk, and who would be a better fit for the Flames. I prefer Nylander's skill set, but I think Tkachuk would survive better in our conference. I hope we don't have to decide between the two and we go for a different player, but if we have to take one of them I would probably lean toward Tkachuk at the moment.