[transplant99]

So this aged awfully well. Props Steve.

Tkachuk is, simply, an elite talent in the NHL.

Clearly his hockey IQ is off the charts when you consider that his skating is no more than average, but he continually is able to read the game and get himsrlf into the right position.

After getting 3 pts last night, he is now 9th in the entire NHL overall.

Even after a terrible season last year along with his team mates(and fans many calling for him to be sent packing) when you factor in his entire career to date, it becomes clear he is an elite winger in the game and can do it from either side of his centerman.

Since entering the league 6 years ago, he is 30th in offense among all forwards. 6th among LW's.

Clearly he can play with anyone and in multiple roles, is stellar at both ends of the ice, and has those intangibles that allow him to both draw penalties and piss off the entire roster of his opponents.

All of this done at the tender age of 24.

So is he really "not worth" a large and lengthy new deal?

6 fewer pts than Johnny this year. More than guys like Rantanen, Kane. Marner, Stamkos etc..

Of course the real test for he and many others is how they look in the post-season and how that all goes, but Im finding it harder and harder to see how so many can say "give Johnny whatever he wants" at age 28, but then say you cant commit 9M a year to a winger like MT at age 24.

Unique player and one you simply cannot replace via trade or draft.