Quote:
Originally Posted by Vinny01
It seems like the is a rift on this team and it is reasonable to assume Tkachuk is at the center of it. I have wondered if the animated highlights of Tkachuk’s disbelief the team choked up a 3-0 lead in game 6 against Dallas irked some of his teammates? His reactions were priceless as we were all doing the same in our homes.
Fast forward to this year and the closed door meeting and rumors teammates told Tkachuk to tone it down has been a key factor in this teams and Tkachuk’s struggles this year.
The way I see it the Flames go as Tkachuk does
2017- establishes himself as a NHLer and top 6 forward and the team makes the playoffs after finishing bottom 5 the previous year
2018- the team is in a playoff spot most of the season, Tkachuk gets concussed and misses the final 14 games and the team spirals out of the playoffs
2019- breakout season for the Flames and Tkachuk 34 goals, 76 points playing on the second line and first PP
2020- leads the team in scoring for the first time pacing for 73pts over a full season but the rest of the team takes a step back. They still make the playoffs. Tkachuk is injured and the team loses 4 of 5 to be eliminated
2021- both the team and player struggle mightily and are destined to miss the playoffs and Tkachuk have his worst numbers to date
I think there is a rift and the organization will be choosing between Tkachuk and the other group this offseason. I think they choose Tkachuk if he indicates he is here for the long term (which might include a rough season or 2 to retool).
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I don't really agree with this at all. Firstly, I think saying there is a rift on the team that Tkachuk is at the centre of is almost entirely fantasy. Where were these rumors coming from that there is a rift with Tkachuk? Secondly, I don't think 'as Tkachuk goes, the Team goes' is true either, I think the Flames are very thin on top end talent, so if one of our best players starts playing like an average player it is going to cause problems. That could be Johnny, Monny, Lindholm, Gio, etc. We just can't afford any of our top players to have a bad year.