[FanIn80]

Kypreos: The Maple Leafs can reach the conference finals. But they’ll need to solve the Matthew Tkachuk problem

Before the 2016 NHL draft, Matthew Tkachuk was asked by an executive where he ranked himself among the top prospects.

Without hesitation, he said “Auston Matthews will go No. 1.”

Then Tkachuk said Patrik Laine would go second because he had the ability to score 40 goals in his rookie season. Then he added, “I should go No. 3. I won’t score 40 next year but I will eventually get there when I improve.”

When it comes to overall leadership — in the form of compete level, toughness and scoring on a nightly basis — not many in the NHL can touch this kid.

The style of play Tkachuk has built for himself started from his first memory of watching his dad come home from a hard-fought NHL game. Keith Tkachuk often talks about getting phone calls after midnight from Matthew while he played junior for the London Knights in the OHL. The 18-year NHL veteran’s teenage son was looking for feedback on how he could improve.

We can marvel at the many things Tkachuk brings to a hockey game, including the fact that he’s a Hart Trophy candidate and his 40-goal prediction came true this season. But it’s his intellect that may be sitting highest on that list right now. He’s proven to be a student of the game. And all the lessons he’s learned over his first seven NHL seasons seem to be coming to fruition in these playoffs.

https://www.thestar.com/sports/leafs...k-problem.html