Quote:
Originally Posted by Enoch Root
Laine might use Eichel as a comparison, but Tkachuk isn't.
Eichel had the pedigree of going 2nd in the draft (ONLY because McDavid), and put up 177 points in 209 games in his 1st 3 years (.847 PPG)
So far, Tkachuk has 122 in 165 (.739 PPG) and was drafted 6th. He had 97 points in 144 games in his 1st 2 years (.674). He would have to go north of 80 points this year to even think of using Eichel as a comp.
And yes, where they were drafted matters, when we're talking 2nd overall.
To me, Pasternak is the best comp for Tkachuk.
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It's fairly well agreed that Pastrnak signed a terrible deal (for himself). What I do know is that I have a hard time putting Tkachuk behind anyone on this team not named Giordano or Guadreau. After a full year of a much more involved offensive role this season he is easily going to be ahead of both of these guys in terms of overall value to the team and quite possibly offensive output. As an organization there's no way you are expecting to sign this guy to a long term $6.5-6.75M AAV deal after a full 2018/2019 season at or even slightly below the level he's been playing at for the last 50 or so games.
For me the comparables start (albeit with much older players) on the lower end with guys like Ryan O'Reilly (different position but from an overall value to the team standpoint) and top out with a player like Jamie Benn. Both players had somewhat similar scoring outputs and useage in their first few seasons. A 7 or 8 year deal within the $7.5 - 8.5 AAV would be pretty fair for both sides given the state of the cap and where it looks like Tkachuk's game is headed.