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JohnnyTitan · 11-01-2016, 02:32 PM

I'm confident the Flames management will make the right call and I could be convinced either way...but the more I think about it and read the thoughts in this thread I'm leaning towards keeping him up. Won't repeat other's thoughts..they are all good. Two additional points not discussed.
1) Doing the right thing. This was discussed around other Flames personnel decisions but not so much here. Not only Tkatchuk himself...but every other prospect and UFA in the future. If you say there's an opportunity and said individual does everything they can to seize that opportunity and you send him back just for contract considerations it leaves a bad taste in people's mouths. Little picture economics should not cloud big-picture / long-term reputation.
2) Staggering the rooks. We are blowing out some bad contracts next year and fully expect 2-3 AHLers to take spots. Do you want a "Rookie" Tkatchuk and a "Rookie" Jankowski along with another AHL forward and two AHL defenders all coming on-line in 2017? To join an already young core? My feeling is we'll have enough exciting young players to "Learn-The-Ropes" next year...no reason to defer Tkachuk's education in a year where there is still a lot of good veteran presence.

Love it or hate it...I know one of or both Bennett and Tkachuk will, by necessity, be getting bridge deals. I agree with the poster who talked about cap management in the future...there is no crystal ball...do what's right now. As long as you're committing to the right players.

11-01-2016, 02:32 PM	#134
JohnnyTitan Powerplay Quarterback Join Date: Dec 2003 Exp:	I'm confident the Flames management will make the right call and I could be convinced either way...but the more I think about it and read the thoughts in this thread I'm leaning towards keeping him up. Won't repeat other's thoughts..they are all good. Two additional points not discussed. 1) Doing the right thing. This was discussed around other Flames personnel decisions but not so much here. Not only Tkatchuk himself...but every other prospect and UFA in the future. If you say there's an opportunity and said individual does everything they can to seize that opportunity and you send him back just for contract considerations it leaves a bad taste in people's mouths. Little picture economics should not cloud big-picture / long-term reputation. 2) Staggering the rooks. We are blowing out some bad contracts next year and fully expect 2-3 AHLers to take spots. Do you want a "Rookie" Tkatchuk and a "Rookie" Jankowski along with another AHL forward and two AHL defenders all coming on-line in 2017? To join an already young core? My feeling is we'll have enough exciting young players to "Learn-The-Ropes" next year...no reason to defer Tkachuk's education in a year where there is still a lot of good veteran presence. Love it or hate it...I know one of or both Bennett and Tkachuk will, by necessity, be getting bridge deals. I agree with the poster who talked about cap management in the future...there is no crystal ball...do what's right now. As long as you're committing to the right players.