[GDT] Final Young Stars Game: Flames vs. Canucks (4pm MST)

[sun]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

iPad or not how about we hear your thoughts first?

timbit has done his research and anticipates the backlash coming his way if he levels a valid critique towards the new bluechipper, so he wisely opts to beat around the bush instead.

timbit, I think he's a pretty good skater, although he was a little late with a couple hits, so he might need to work on that footspeed a bit

[MrMastodonFarm]

I'm a terrible judge of skating for the most part, but while there is obvious work to do I think it's serviceable at the NHL level. Skating alongside an effortless skater like Jankowski only made it look worse I'd imagine.

A coin flip if he makes it out of camp, but long term skating isn't a concern. Monahan's looked worse coming out of his draft year I think.

Volley to timbit

[cam_wmh]

wrong thread

[heep223]

From what I saw of Tkachuk, it doesn't look like skating is going to hold him back at the NHL level. I agree with Mr Mastodon Farm re: the comparison to Monahan. I was more worried about his skating after watching him a few times after we drafted him than I am about Tkachuk's.

[calgaryblood]

Originally Posted by timbit

Really tough to tell on an Ipad...deferring to people who were there.

It seems as if you have been suggesting his skating isn't at an NHL level and not only once, but I have read probably 3 or 4 posts of yours that specifically is asking about his skating. Have you not watched him at all since then?

His skating isn't elite nor above average but there are a lot of real good NHLers who are average skaters. But I am sure you already knew that.

[St. Pats]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Did you miss the first two games? He most definitely did stand out like a bull in a china shop.

He did stand out and in just the manner you stated. I was expecting more of an offensive game rather than a disturber. Yes his compete level is high / undisciplined but he certainly mixes it up.

Maybe my expectations were too high but I expected more of a skill display mixed with physical play.

[CalgaryFan1988]

I worry less about Tkachuk's skating and more between his ears. Seemed like unless he was gooning it up, he really wasn't involved. Maybe he's the kind of player that needs to be involved physically to be on his game? ( to a lesser extent of how Iginla used to be)

[Enoch Root]

He was involved every shift - more than any other player, by a fair margin

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

He was involved every shift - more than any other player, by a fair margin

Last game I'd agree 100 percent. Tonight I barely noticed him, thought maybe the coach asked him to tone in down? Minus the Penalty, of course.

Obviously the coach didn't think he had a great game, moving him to the second line.

[GoJetsGo]

Strange, I thought he was generating offensive chances almost every time he was on the ice with Jankowski. He made some very offensively creative moves in the first game, and scored in the second. Calgary's top line was creating chances almost every time they were on the ice in each game. They ran into some hot goaltending and also had some mis-cues having never played together prior to the tournament, but that's to be expected.

[CalgaryFan1988]

^^^ tonight I felt like it was more Jankowski driving the play and Tkachuk just completely out of synch. I thought he had a terrible game, to be honest. Last game though, I thought he was terrific.

Edit: maybe I expected more out of him? I don't really know, but tonight I thought he passed poorly, made poor decisions with the puck and looked gased most of the time.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by timbit

Anybody have questions on Tkachuk's skating at the NHL level?

I see he was a -2. Should I have questions about his GRIT rating?

[TheScorpion]

Silly, silly. The GRIT Index only involves hits and "compete level".

Tkachuk has been very impressive these last four days. Really hope he can become a positive contributor for the Flames over 82 games.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Caught a brief mention on the game broadcast that Tkachuk was being attended to by team medical staff. Could've something that slightly hampered him.

Guy likes to push the envelope physically then slays using skill. Flames need this kind of player.

[dino7c]

McDavid did next to nothing at this tourney last year...don't read too much into it

[Karl]

Yeah. Better to wait until Tkachuk & Jankowski show their stuff in main camp before declaring them NHL-ready or close to it.

[Galakanokis]

Wasn't impressed at all with Tkachuk tonight, a lot of this drags died in the opposition's skates. Not a concern, he just looked off.

Jankowski makes some ridiculous passes. He fed the pick back to the blue line where just kind of did a soft stick handle and then slid the puck through the defenders legs, I thought it was a crazy good pass. He did stuff like that a number times tonight. Soft stick handle or angle change to create time and space, looked very smart or there. Lots to live with him.

Just finished watching so I'm late on wanting to say Hell, Lomberg ####ed 'em after the fight and gaming winning goal.

[JohnnyTitan]

Originally Posted by timbit

Anybody have questions on Tkachuk's skating at the NHL level?

You know who is a really good skater is that Mason Raymond.

[McLintock]

Lomberg reminds me of Theo Fleury.. Just the skating style..

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by St. Pats

He did stand out and in just the manner you stated. I was expecting more of an offensive game rather than a disturber. Yes his compete level is high / undisciplined but he certainly mixes it up.

Maybe my expectations were too high but I expected more of a skill display mixed with physical play.

IMO he showed the most skill of any of our forwards this tournament. Tkachuk stood out to me quite a bit even though this game he wasn't quite as impactful.