Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - [News] With the 2016 6th OA pick Flames select LW Matthew Tkachuk

Flames Draft Watcher · 06-27-2016, 12:31 PM

Now that we have him its interesting to read the comments from the OHL watchers. Here's some stuff from Brock Otten's scout/media poll

http://ohlprospects.blogspot.ca/2016...-for-2016.html

"What a draft eligible season this kid put together. He has the bloodlines, great character, exhibiting strong drive, determination and impressive on-ice senses. His offensive skills are not all that flashy but he 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. He is a work horse battling and retrieving pucks in the corners or around the crease before dishing short passes out to open line mates for second and third scoring chances. This kids a winner and will bring that with him to the NHL level due to his sheer determination to succeed." - Stewart

"It's not just that he puts up so many points, but the manner in which he does it. Tkachuk has the smarts, the physicality and the devastating hands (especially on tip-ins) to be an impact NHLer sooner than later." - Kennedy

"He finds a way to produce even if he's not on his game, and he knows where to go on the ice to be the most effective for his linemates. The numbers he posted for London in the regular season and during the playoffs were phenomenal and I know he played with two exceptional linemates in Mitch Marner and Christian Dvorak, but it should also be noted that it takes a special kind of player to play alongside those players. Tkachuk is a very special player because he can do so many things so well. His hockey sense is really high-end and from the faceoff circles to the end line, he's one of the most dangerous players in the draft. He won't win a speed race but he'll earn his money in the offensive zone. To me, Tkachuk is skilled and physical, and he exhibits more jam in the big moments than any other OHL prospect. The fact he played on a sprained ankle for the entire Memorial Cup run, and scored two goals in the final against Rouyn-Noranda, speaks volumes to his determination and character." - Morreale

"There is not really any way Tkachuk could have had a better season. He 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. He dominated at the World Junior with USA scoring 11 points in seven games and was impressive at the CHL Top Prospect game as well. He can score pretty goals and dirty goals. He can finesse with his puck control and he can play a physical game. He can get under opponents skin and be a pest, he is defensively responsible and has a high hockey IQ. Simply put, he can beat you any way you want to play the game." - Harling

"He's the NHL's next great power forward. Piled up ridiculous numbers playing on the best line in junior hockey, but he rode no one's coattails. Plays a heavy, pro-style game and thrives in the muck. Always seems to find a way to make an impact." - Muir

"A heart-and soul-competitor who owns the "it factor" - knowing how to come up big and spearheading a scoring chance when his team needs it the most. Tkachuk has improvements to make in his stride but his 10-foot attacking distance is as impactful as anyone. His ability to create scoring chances deep in the offensive zone - behind the net and from the corners - is a highly coveted skill set. Tkachuk is going to line up well alongside any skilled pivot and will inject energy and perkiness into a team's top six well." - Ross

And here's Brock's scouting report on Tkachuk

http://ohlprospects.blogspot.ca/2016...r-2016_20.html

"1. Matthew Tkachuk - Forward - London Knights
That brings us to number one. And quite frankly, it's a really, really close year. I'm actually super excited to see what my year end media poll looks like. Honestly, I think an argument could be made for any of my top 6 ranked players to be considered the top player available from the OHL. But I'm going with Tkachuk. He's by no means the flashiest prospect around. And he's not likely to be the world's flashiest NHL player either. He has some limitations. But, I have confidence that his skill set will translate to the NHL; that it will translate to him being an extremely productive offensive player (think perennial 30/30 guy). Tkachuk plays a very pro style game. His size, his smarts, and his skill allow him to dominate below the hash marks. He's going to be the perfect compliment on an NHL 1st/2nd line, to a pair of quicker, higher skilled guys (thus the recipe for success with Marner and Dvorak). He'll do the dirty work on the line in terms of winning battles in the corners, or fighting in front of the net, but he's also a massively underrated playmaker who seems to have eyes in the back of his head. I don't know how many times I saw him this year draw a couple defenders in near the boards to try to separate him from the puck, only to find Marner or Dvorak cutting to the net, wide open. Tkachuk is also really strong in close, using his size, and his smarts, to get good scoring chances near the blue paint. Is he the world's best skater? No. He's only average in that area and I do think he'll need to become a tad more explosive to be a better player 5 on 5. Is he a true power forward like his father? No, I wouldn't classify him as that. He doesn't really throw his body around, but he will use his size to his advantage offensively. Is he the most dynamic of puck handlers? No. But he produces. Size, smarts, and hands will take you a long way at the NHL level and Tkachuk has that. If I'm picking inside the top 5, I want to make sure I get an impact NHL player and Tkachuk is the guy that I think is the most guaranteed to be that."

06-27-2016, 12:31 PM	#356
Flames Draft Watcher In the Sin Bin Join Date: Oct 2001 Exp:	Now that we have him its interesting to read the comments from the OHL watchers. Here's some stuff from Brock Otten's scout/media poll http://ohlprospects.blogspot.ca/2016...-for-2016.html "What a draft eligible season this kid put together. He has the bloodlines, great character, exhibiting strong drive, determination and impressive on-ice senses. His offensive skills are not all that flashy but he 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. He is a work horse battling and retrieving pucks in the corners or around the crease before dishing short passes out to open line mates for second and third scoring chances. This kids a winner and will bring that with him to the NHL level due to his sheer determination to succeed." - Stewart "It's not just that he puts up so many points, but the manner in which he does it. Tkachuk has the smarts, the physicality and the devastating hands (especially on tip-ins) to be an impact NHLer sooner than later." - Kennedy "He finds a way to produce even if he's not on his game, and he knows where to go on the ice to be the most effective for his linemates. The numbers he posted for London in the regular season and during the playoffs were phenomenal and I know he played with two exceptional linemates in Mitch Marner and Christian Dvorak, but it should also be noted that it takes a special kind of player to play alongside those players. Tkachuk is a very special player because he can do so many things so well. His hockey sense is really high-end and from the faceoff circles to the end line, he's one of the most dangerous players in the draft. He won't win a speed race but he'll earn his money in the offensive zone. To me, Tkachuk is skilled and physical, and he exhibits more jam in the big moments than any other OHL prospect. The fact he played on a sprained ankle for the entire Memorial Cup run, and scored two goals in the final against Rouyn-Noranda, speaks volumes to his determination and character." - Morreale "There is not really any way Tkachuk could have had a better season. He 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. He dominated at the World Junior with USA scoring 11 points in seven games and was impressive at the CHL Top Prospect game as well. He can score pretty goals and dirty goals. He can finesse with his puck control and he can play a physical game. He can get under opponents skin and be a pest, he is defensively responsible and has a high hockey IQ. Simply put, he can beat you any way you want to play the game." - Harling "He's the NHL's next great power forward. Piled up ridiculous numbers playing on the best line in junior hockey, but he rode no one's coattails. Plays a heavy, pro-style game and thrives in the muck. Always seems to find a way to make an impact." - Muir "A heart-and soul-competitor who owns the "it factor" - knowing how to come up big and spearheading a scoring chance when his team needs it the most. Tkachuk has improvements to make in his stride but his 10-foot attacking distance is as impactful as anyone. His ability to create scoring chances deep in the offensive zone - behind the net and from the corners - is a highly coveted skill set. Tkachuk is going to line up well alongside any skilled pivot and will inject energy and perkiness into a team's top six well." - Ross And here's Brock's scouting report on Tkachuk http://ohlprospects.blogspot.ca/2016...r-2016_20.html "1. Matthew Tkachuk - Forward - London Knights That brings us to number one. And quite frankly, it's a really, really close year. I'm actually super excited to see what my year end media poll looks like. Honestly, I think an argument could be made for any of my top 6 ranked players to be considered the top player available from the OHL. But I'm going with Tkachuk. He's by no means the flashiest prospect around. And he's not likely to be the world's flashiest NHL player either. He has some limitations. But, I have confidence that his skill set will translate to the NHL; that it will translate to him being an extremely productive offensive player (think perennial 30/30 guy). Tkachuk plays a very pro style game. His size, his smarts, and his skill allow him to dominate below the hash marks. He's going to be the perfect compliment on an NHL 1st/2nd line, to a pair of quicker, higher skilled guys (thus the recipe for success with Marner and Dvorak). He'll do the dirty work on the line in terms of winning battles in the corners, or fighting in front of the net, but he's also a massively underrated playmaker who seems to have eyes in the back of his head. I don't know how many times I saw him this year draw a couple defenders in near the boards to try to separate him from the puck, only to find Marner or Dvorak cutting to the net, wide open. Tkachuk is also really strong in close, using his size, and his smarts, to get good scoring chances near the blue paint. Is he the world's best skater? No. He's only average in that area and I do think he'll need to become a tad more explosive to be a better player 5 on 5. Is he a true power forward like his father? No, I wouldn't classify him as that. He doesn't really throw his body around, but he will use his size to his advantage offensively. Is he the most dynamic of puck handlers? No. But he produces. Size, smarts, and hands will take you a long way at the NHL level and Tkachuk has that. If I'm picking inside the top 5, I want to make sure I get an impact NHL player and Tkachuk is the guy that I think is the most guaranteed to be that."