[MarkGio]

That article reinforces Nylander over Tkachuk for me as the best forwards at #6. Look at what's being said:

Pros

• "[Tkachuk] is always in the mix around the net but also has the skilled hands to settle pucks and get a strong shot off all in a flash"
  
• "[Tkachuk] is a work horse battling and retrieving pucks in the corners or around the crease"
  
• "[Tkachuk] is skilled and physical"
  
• "[Tkachuk] can get under opponents skin and be a pest, he is defensively responsible and has a high hockey IQ"
  
• "The numbers [Tkachuk] posted for London in the regular season and during the playoffs were phenomenal"
  
• "[Tkachuk] dominated the regular season with a 107 points performance on the CHL’s top line from start to finish. He was an integral part of the Knights winning the OHL Championship and the Memorial Cup"
  
• "[Tkachuk] Piled up ridiculous numbers playing on the best line in junior hockey"
  
• "Tkachuk is going to line up well alongside any skilled pivot and will inject energy and perkiness into a team's top six well."

Cons

1. "[Tkachuk] won't win a speed race but he'll earn his money in the offensive zone."
   
2. "[Tkachuk] offensive skills are not all that flashy"
   
3. "Tkachuk has improvements to make in his stride"

Assessment

So what about his points? He played on the best line in the OHL, with two players who put up ridiculous numbers in the years before Tkachuk was on that line. Otherwise he's known for his IQ, getting into dirty areas, physicality and determination? At 6'1" he's not going to be the dominant specimen in the NHL as he was in the OHL. I like his work ethic and hands, but skating is a concern, which is only compounded at the NHL level. At the worst he makes a good energy bottom line forward, but at best he makes a top 6 power forward.

Now you look at Nylander:

Pros

• "Electrifying talent"
  
• "Nylander has all the talent in the world with elite puck skills, an elite shot and elite skating abilities"
  
• "Whether he’s rushing it up the ice himself for a scoring chance or drawing people towards him which opens up his teammates where he can deliver tape to tape passes for scoring chances"
  
• "Is going to be a top line winger in the NHL. Makes the game look easy"
  
• "A cornerstone offensive forward who has mastered every level of play immediately"
  
• "Nylander’s elusiveness and otherworldly shooting accuracy are both unique traits. Add in that he’s one of the most gifted puck handlers in the class and you’ve got a package that oozes creativity and skill"

Cons

• "During the OHL’s regular season, 29% of Nylander’s offense came against the four non-playoff teams"
  
• "Nylander, at times, does not play up to his competition level"
  
• "Fair bit of work to do when it comes to consistency and defensive effort"

Assessment

Nylander is apathetic at times and doesn't play good defense. Other than that he's an elite talent. He scores easier against easier opponents. He's also praised for his elite bloodline, which means nothing. At worst he busts because he doesn't put in the effort. At best he's an elite winger in the NHL.


Comparison
I'd rather have a better best-case scenario than worst-case scenario, especially when it comes to a winger looking to make an impact sooner than later for this club. Nylander played on the 7th worst team in the OHL, Tkachuk played on the 2nd best, so the scoring differences are not comparable.

To me, this is the difference between Kessel and Doan. Kessel wasn't fit to lead the Leafs, but he was perfect for the Penguins. Doan was fit to lead the Coyotes, even though he wasn't skilled enough to lead them to a championship.

Even if Nylander isn't the leader we need, he can provide elite secondary scoring behind the Gaudreau line, while either Bennett or Monahan are playing defense or heavy hockey. Besides, Nylander had better "determination" when it came to his health at the combine.