[thymebalm]

Each case is individual. You can't point to past players as proof because they are human beings, not numbers. So it's all speculative.

If a player has the raw skill, it's all about how to refine it. Some guys just need to grow up a little more with their junior teams, some guys needs the positive influence of professionals to keep them away from bad habits, some guys needs nutrition, some guys need ice time.

I'd say that playing in the NHL has helped his maturity which is great because he's a bit of a punk. But he's not going to be called upon in high pressure moments to score the big goal if he stays on this team. And I think that's an edge you want to sharpen on a player like Tkachuck. In the future you want him to be the player you look to when you need a goal, and there are too many of those types of players ahead of him.

Just my thoughts on it. He's probably too good of a prospect to ruin either way you go, and whether it has any formidable change in how he'll play as a pro we'll never know. Such is hockey fandom.