[News] Steinberg: Tkachuk eager to sign long-term

[Huntingwhale]

I f'ing love Matthew Tkachuk. Says all the right things, but he also walks the walk. He's going to have a monster season and get paid. But I don't care. He'll be worth every penny.

[FlamesAddiction]

The one thing I liked about Tkachuk right from the start is when they gave give the 10 game audition to see if he should go back to junior. He played a simple game, short shifts, dumping the puck deep for line changes, etc... He was not trying to be a star or out shine anyone. Personally, I think they knew he had the ability to contribute on the scoreboard, but they wanted to make sure that he was mature enough to follow coaches orders and not crave attention.

A lot of young players come in and want nothing but to have the spotlight on them. But he showed that he was a team player first and could be coached. After he made the team, the reins came off. But he passed that test. That was something Baertschi was never willing to do.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

The one thing I liked about Tkachuck right from the start is when they gave give the 10 game audition to see if he should go back to junior. He played a simple game, short shifts, dumping the puck deep for line changes, etc... He was not trying to be a star or out shine anyone. Personally, I think they knew he had the ability to contribute on the scoreboard, but they wanted to make sure that he was mature enough to follow coaches orders and not crave attention.

A lot of you players come in and want nothing but to have the spotlight on them. But he showed that he was a team player first and could be coached. After he made the team, the reins came off. But he passed that test. That was something Baertschi was never willing to do.

Okay I know man, but I was just a kid trying to make it

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by H2SO4(aq)

Okay I know man, but I was just a kid trying to make it

Haha... sorry, I meant young. I really do believe it was more a maturity test that anything for Tkachuk.

[Zulu29]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I love Tkachuk as much as I love any player and I think he is fundamental to the Flames's future success. However, I still am not convinced that he would be a natural choice to captain the team. I would worry that assuming a more public persona as the team's on-ice representative would interfere with elements of his game that make him such an effective player. Moreover, as I have stated on a number of other occasions, since I don't believe that wearing a letter has much bearing on an individual player's effectiveness nor a team's success, I also remain persuaded that it would likewise make no difference for Tkachuk. He's going to be great regardless of whether or what letter he sports on his jersey, and the Flames are not going to be any better or worse off for it.

With all that said, Tkachuk is a gem, and I think he will flirt with 30-goals this season.

Fair points. In the event he isn’t the official captain, I’d still like to see future flames emulate his team first mentality. IMHO, unit cohesion and willing to make sacrifices for the good of the team is what can push a “good” team to be “great”. And yes, gem is an apt description for Matthew!

[CliffFletcher]

Ryan Leslie had a good comment about Tkachuk on 960 the other day. He said young American NHLers have their own tight sub-culture, and Tkachuk's stature in that group will serve the Flames well going forward. The guy is clearly a popular figure among his peers, which could help down the line with attracting free agents, etc.

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan

I'm not saying he's talking about Dougie Hamilton.....but....





He's talking about Dougie Hamilton.

Funny, my first thought was Brouwer.

Brouwer was supposed to be the big dog in the room. Handed ice time. Handed leadership.

Sure seems it works better when those 2 things are earned.

[Gallick]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Ryan Leslie had a good comment about Tkachuk on 960 the other day. He said young American NHLers have their own tight sub-culture, and Tkachuk's stature in that group will serve the Flames well going forward. The guy is clearly a popular figure among his peers, which could help down the line with attracting free agents, etc.

Between Tkachuk, Gaudreau, and now Hanifin and Czarnik, we are pretty well stocked on young American talent. Not that I don't believe Leslie, but it makes you wonder how much of this stuff actually makes a difference and how much of it is just fan and media conjecture.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by killer_carlson

Funny, my first thought was Brouwer.

Brouwer was supposed to be the big dog in the room. Handed ice time. Handed leadership.

Sure seems it works better when those 2 things are earned.

Brouwer sucked but when did he put himself ahead of the team?

[killer_carlson]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

Brouwer sucked but when did he put himself ahead of the team?

https://forum.calgarypuck.com/showpo...1&postcount=17

this post refers to rumblings in the room

I'd certainly also point out the acceptance of the Gaudreau abuse. Browuer, as the guy who was supposed to bring physical accountability to the top 6, takes the position that you can't do anything to stop Gaudreau getting wacked.

https://calgaryherald.com/sports/hoc...ohnny-gaudreau


The site has documented how Brouwer would disappear in games that got physical, notwithstanding he's the guy that supposed to be delivering the response. It left it to Tkachuk and eventually Smith.