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Originally Posted by Vinny01
Ah yes improving the line by removing a 42 goal 104pt player. Makes sense
Tkachuk has had some excellent defensive metrics since he entered the league and was on the Flames shutdown line. I don’t see how trading Tkachuk for lesser pieces makes the line or team better. If they need to do it for cap reasons hopefully they are trading him for someone who can potentially be better so a younger player with high upside. Similar to Hamilton for Lindholm/Hanifin
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Look, that line wasn’t very good defensively in either series. Further, the offense was primarily driven by Gaudreau, not Tkachuk. I get that Tkachuk had a great regular season… I’m talking about playoffs. That line can be a better playoff line with a replacement IMO. And whatever his metrics may be, I just personally have never found him noticeable making good defensive plays, again particularly not in the playoffs.
Tkachuk is a really good player no doubt. But as others have mentioned, you simply cannot pay him and Gaudreau their market value. Gaudreau is far more important to keep, and Tkachuk could actually net you some return.
It’s a pretty straightforward decision, and you have be able to find a silver lining once you arrive at it.