McRae sees Tkachuk as an impact player in the NHL
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This is old, but didn't see it posted.
Basil McRae compares Matthew to a more skilled Holmstrom
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“In my mind,’’ reckons McRae, “Matthew’s a more skilled (Tomas) Holmstrom. Holmstrom, if you remember, was able to play with Detroit’s best players - Yzerman, Zetterberg - yet excelled in those dirty areas that are so vital to winning or losing games.
“Matthew has a better playmaking ability than Holmstrom but they share a mindset.
“Everyone may have wanted to kill Holmstrom but at the end of the way he won Stanley Cups, agitated and scored 25 to 30 goals every year. I can see Matthew being a lot like that.
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“Matthew,’’ says the London Knights’ GM and part-owner admiringly, “is one of those guys, whether you want to be in the war or not, he pulls you into it.
“That’s just his nature.
“He doesn’t abide bystanders.
“He isn’t just ‘this’ type of player, or ‘that’ type of player.
“You can say he’s a ‘skill’ guy and you’d be right. But there’s also a willingness to go to the dirty places, work the boards, take the hit behind the net or in front, tip-ins, screens ...
“One night you can say he’s an agitator, getting under the skin of the top guys. The next night, he’s a playmaker. Then a goal scorer. He’s not afraid to chirp back. To fight when need be.
“Good size. Very mature kid.
“Will he be an impact player at the NHL level?
“Absolutely.”
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