Quote:
Originally Posted by bax
Tkachuk can be easily replaced? What are you talking about? He is getting so underrated here it isn’t even funny.
Come out ahead by paying Forsberg? (Provided he would even be willing to sign here over 31 other teams).
Forsberg has been over a point per game exactly 1 time in his career and is turning 28 this summer. Tkachuk is 4 years younger and just outscored him by 20 points for crying out loud. The age difference alone is enough to choose Tkachuk, but even then he’s already a way better player - at both ends of the ice.
Tkachuk also boasts elite defensive metrics and has the intangibles of being able to hit, fight, and get under the opposition’s skin. Not to mention his elite hands in tight around the net.
Dom (advanced stats guy from the Athletic) just had an article on the best RFA players this year and this is what he had to say about Tkachuk:
“At 4.4 projected wins, Tkachuk is expected to be one of the 10 most valuable players in hockey next season after a massive breakout year where he scored 104 points and dominated play at 5 on 5 at both ends of the ice. The fact he’s also a rugged power forward only adds to the intrigue. He’s a very special player, a unicorn in this league that features a rare combination of brawn and skill. There’s no one like Tkachuk and he’s a cornerstone piece that teams can build around.”
He also wrote that he would be willing to make Tkachuk the 5th highest paid player in the league and he would still be worth it. Called him the most valuable asset on the market this summer.
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Totally agree with this. If we are talking 8 year deals with a $10+ million AAV and it had to be one or the other (Gaudreau or Tkachuk), I would feel better running with Tkachuk given age an performance to date.
JG might be the guy right now, but in 4 or 5 years, my money would be on Tkachuk to be the more productive player.