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Originally Posted by Jore
It's not all on Gaudreau, and he obviously helped that line too. He's an elite winger no doubt. I just don't think he's a 100 point player without a talent like Gaudreau on his line. If he lands in NJ and plays with Hughes, then he could hit it again. But he can't be the best player on your team and the guy you build around.
He had 41 even strength points to Backlund's 37 that year.
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Tkachuk can be your best player - but he can't be your best player by a mile. This is the same argument people made about Gaudreau, but we only need to look up at Edmonton to realize that having your best player - or your 2 or 3 best players - in an otherwise lousy team leads to moderate success at best, and usually poor results. Tkachuk needs good players to play with, but he is 100% an elite-level player in his own right.
As for the Backlund comment - Backlund has always been extremely underrated, but it is no surprise that Backlund's best years have been with Tkachuk (and no surprise that Backlund also makes those around him better). Synergy is a thing - and Tkachuk just showed that if you play him with other elite level players, he will produce as one. That's not easy.
It really is synergy - Gaudreau just had his best season in his career. So did Lindholm. Tkachuk was far from a passenger, and players who play with him are suddenly experiencing career years. It will be interesting to see where he goes and we can see not only how he does, but how his future line mates do as well.
I am ok with the trade. Like I said, I have always disliked his antics, but he is 100% an elite-level player who makes everyone around him better.