Tkachuk isn't a one-trick pony. Yep, we saw him playing that physical, in your face game that the Flames sorely lack, but if you watched him in Junior that is not what his game is all about. I think he can legitimately make a case for himself to stay up without having to play as physical.
We all heard that he is elite 'from the hashmarks in' - it wasn't because he was nasty and physical. It was because he knows where to go, and has wonderfully soft hands to make really great plays in-tight. He didn't always out-muscle guys to get there, but rather used his smarts and anticipation.
I am not saying he should or shouldn't be in the NHL this season. I am saying that the game Tkachuk showed us in Penticton was just a small sample of what his repertoire is. I am going to wait and see how he does in camp and through the preseason before making up my own mind. He is definitely big enough for the NHL - lots of smaller draftees have made the jump in their draft year. For me, it isn't even about the goal scoring he does or doesn't do when he gets a look. It is how well he is competing and how well he compares to NHL players. I still think he has a likely shot at making the team, but let's see how he does before we make up our minds one way or the other.
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