[News] With the 2016 6th OA pick Flames select LW Matthew Tkachuk

[sureLoss]

FWIW Kyle Woodlief of Red Line Report was asked about Tkachuk vs Puljujarvi before the draft on Edmonton radio.

He said that in any given season Tkachuk would probably put up more points, but Puljujarvi would almost always put up more goals.

He said they had Puljujarvi, Tkachuk, and Dubois all in the 2nd tier. Slightly behind Matthews and Laine, but way ahead of the rest of the forwards in the draft.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

FWIW Kyle Woodlief of Red Line Report was asked about Tkachuk vs Puljujarvi before the draft on Edmonton radio.

He said that in any given season Tkachuk would probably put up more points, but Puljujarvi would almost always put up more goals.

He said they had Puljujarvi, Tkachuk, and Dubois all in the 2nd tier. Slightly behind Matthews and Laine, but way ahead of the rest of the forwards in the draft.

I find that hard to buy given how Tkachuk's scoring repertoire is a lot more varied with tips and garbage goals to go with his wrister and one-timer whereas Puljujarvi's repertoire is more classic sniping which doesn't tend to work on NHL goalies.

I would have thought it the opposite, Puljujarvi would put up more points, Tkachuk more goals.

[gargamel]

Assuming that the organization intentionally buddied them up like that, that's a nice touch.

[Flamescuprun2018]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

It's interesting to see how often during scoring plays that Tkachuk is involved with the play while being on the "right" side of the ice, vs the left. Seems to feel at ease there. Iginla-like PP one timer from the circles.

I fully agree. He is an excellent one timer on his off wing with a great angle on the goalie. Looks really comfortable on that right side. Many of his highlights come from the right side. I wonder how well he can take a transition pass from D onto his backhand when playing the right side.

It wont surprise me one bit if he quickly becomes the ideal RW for Gaudreau-Monahan line. Perhaps not this season but certainly by 2017-18.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by Flamescuprun2018

I fully agree. He is an excellent one timer on his off wing with a great angle on the goalie. Looks really comfortable on that right side. Many of his highlights come from the right side. I wonder how well he can take a transition pass from D onto his backhand when playing the right side.

It wont surprise me one bit if he quickly becomes the ideal RW for Gaudreau-Monahan line. Perhaps not this season but certainly by 2017-18.

He mentioned in an interview that London occasionally played him on his off wing, which (to paraphrase) he enjoyed doing from an offence perspective , but he found some positional/defence aspects more difficult.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by FlameZilla

He mentioned in an interview that London occasionally played him on his off wing, which (to paraphrase) he enjoyed doing from an offence perspective , but he found some positional/defence aspects more difficult.

Once you're in the offensive zone, off wing is great, but in your zone, leaving and through neutral zone, it's definitely harder, and you need to be more conscious and aware of situations and positional play in defending.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Racki

I don't think it's out of the realm of possibility to believe that there is a chance that Tkachuk out performs Puljujarvi this season.

One of the things that keeps coming up amongst hockey people when they talk about Tkachuk is the term, NHL ready.

And watching his style of play from a lot of footage, he tends to lean on people and protect the puck very well, as well as some really quick and accurate passing, which could be dangerous on the PP if he's put there.

JP will be decent in the long run. But Tkachuk, Laine and Matthews will be the better immediate performers.

I could see Tkachuk being a 40 point forward in his first season because of his size and strength. Which is very good when you look at Monahan's 34 points and Bennett's 36. He's heavier than both were going into their rookie seasons which helps.

[robaur]

When was the last time the Flames gave a NHL number to a player right out of the draft? I don't think it happened with Monahan, Bennett, or Gaudreau or I may be wrong.

Does this signify that the Flames think he'll make the team or is that reading into it too much ?

[heep223]

Reading too much into jersey numbers. He has to make the team to make the team.

[Bingo]

Monahan wore 23 at his first development camp, so they've done it. Gaudreau had a high number.

I think Bennett wore 39 didn't he?

[Toonage]

If (when) he does make the team I'm sort of hoping he goes with 77.

7 is taken. 17 is taken. 27 is taken. 37 was taken but thats a goalie number.

[skudr248]

Originally Posted by bingo

monahan wore 23 at his first development camp, so they've done it. Gaudreau had a high number.

I think bennett wore 39 didn't he?

63

[nickerjones]

Originally Posted by Toonage

If (when) he does make the team I'm sort of hoping he goes with 77.

7 is taken. 17 is taken. 27 is taken. 37 was taken but thats a goalie number.

Janko is wearing 77 today.

[SuperMatt18]

The think that I look forward to the most is that you just know Tkachuk is a guy that will hold a grudge for Edmonton and Vancouver passing on him in the draft. (Think Bennett does with Edmonton too)

Think especially Edmonton since it appeared he was going to be their pick, that he had a really good visit to Edmonton, and lots of rumors of them really liking him - then it all changed.

[TheScorpion]

Originally Posted by Toonage

If (when) he does make the team I'm sort of hoping he goes with 77.

7 is taken. 17 is taken. 27 is taken. 37 was taken but thats a goalie number.

Or he could wear 47! All of the best Flames prospects have worn 47!

[skudr248]

Originally Posted by Toonage

If (when) he does make the team I'm sort of hoping he goes with 77.

7 is taken. 17 is taken. 27 is taken. 37 was taken but thats a goalie number.

I hope he picks 69

[dash_pinched]

I always wanted Mike Commodore to wear #64

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Toonage

If (when) he does make the team I'm sort of hoping he goes with 77.

7 is taken. 17 is taken. 27 is taken. 37 was taken but thats a goalie number.

007 would be fine.

[GreenLantern2814]

I've always held that you can't be a contending team and have a scrub wearing #19. Blair Jones? See ya. David Jones? Ouch. Kobasew? Swing and a miss.

In 04, the other team's #19 was Brad Richards. Ours was Oleg Saprykin. No wonder they lost.

Tkachuk wearing 19 sits very well with me.

[AC]

I've been hoping for a stud forward to take #19. I think it works perfectly for Tkachuk!