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

[Bingo]

the Tkachuk thing ...

Stats are important for sure, so are height/weight etc for sure.

But for me I tend to ignore development camp and even Penticton and put more stock in where they are drafted and what is being said, and all that comes up very high in the plus column for Tkachuk making an impact as early as this fall.

Before I even had the nerve to drool about him coming to Calgary we heard his Mem Cup performance had him changing the dialogue in the draft from a top 3 to a top 4, it was clouding the draft somewhat.

Since then you read more as he's become a Calgary player and it's so consistent. Can't miss. Impact. Multi tool. Hates to lose. Won't be denied. Can beat you many ways.

It just adds up. So I don't look at stats alone on this kid.

Then past that league has changed a lot since the "rushing the kid" issues were prevalent. The league is pinched in the bottom half of their roster. Kids that can play on entry level deals are getting better looks because

a) they aren't as expensive
b) they are more skilled than 18 year old from the last generation

then on top of that contracts have changed somewhat. Blowing a year of the entry level deal isn't the end of the world. Look at the Bennett contract. Can't see him having the same leverage after a good season this year compared to having 50 point seasons both this and next then talking bridge deals. Really the 40 game UFA line is the bigger issue giving the team some flexibility in giving the player a longer look.

To me it's an open mind, see what he does, don't "Feaster him" by saying "we think he's the best pick in the draft" or "MacTavish him" by giving him a top six role before camp starts.

But if he comes ready and he's in your top 9 let him ride it out a while and see where he goes.

Why I'm writing books today I don't know ....

[Vinny01]

Everything I have heard from Tkachuk since he was drafted is an understanding that nothing will be handed to him and he has to work for everything to make it. The fact he is in a few days early to meet new teammates and skate with them is a sign of maturity that will only help as he tries to make this team.

It is tough to argue and say he needs to get bigger and add size. Of his skating hasn't improved that could be the sticking point that eventually sends him back. Everything we hear about him though is he thinks the game at a NHL level, and had the shot and size of a NHL player. My bet is he makes the team barring injury

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

Also should Puljujarvi even be playing in the NHL this season? Yet Oil fans have him penciled it. I'm pretty certain scouts said in June that JP was the one guy in the top 3 that would benefit from another year of seasoning.

You just know he's going to be skating on the 3̶r̶d̶ 2nd line right wing opening night though, no matter what.

The Finns and Matthews were viewed as NHL ready by most scouts. IMO he's more NHL ready than Draisaitl was.

[Bingo]

Interview with Tkachuk from a CP article ...

CP Article

posted for this little tidbit

Tkachuk then buckled down in the gym to build the strength needed to compete against men. He says he saw results from those decisions in Thursday's fitness testing.
"My testing scores have gone up crazily," he said. "I was really happy with my scores today.
"I just want to make sure it translates to the ice. You can be the strongest guy in world, but if you can't play hockey you don't have a chance."

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by Bingo

Interview with Tkachuk from a CP article ...

CP Article

posted for this little tidbit

Every time this guy opens his mouth or puts on a Harambe T-Shirt, my excitement level just gets higher and higher.

My worry coming in wasn't was I going to be able to play hockey

It was just about getting to know the guys. That was my only worry coming in

There's a fine line between confidence and cockiness. He's rocking it to perfection.

[StrykerSteve]

Love hearing he's shown strong progression in physical testing. You can do a lot in a few months, if you're committed to it. Sounds like he is. Bring on the season.

[Split98]

I just finished designing our part of the Knights puck...

...and I'm KINDA hoping that Tkachuk is sent back for this year.

[FBI]

Can't wait to see if his skating has improved.. That's the big one for making the team I think.

[Bingo]

now this I love ...

Vancouver Province

Angst over whether or not the Canucks should have drafted Matthew Tkachuk in June isn’t going away anytime soon.

Tkachuk is trying to make sure of that.

[Geeoff]

I love that we're building up youngsters that have a bone to pick with the Canucks.

[djsFlames]

He's gotta show his offensive upside and finishing ability in training camp, moreso than how much of a pest he can be. That we've already seen out of him.

Even if he can just be a presence in front of the goal and bang in some rebounds, having a guy with that strength to go into the tough areas would be an asset. If there's any criticism of this team since the start of the rebuild it's how we don't make life difficult in front of the net for the opposing goaltender and D. A lot of pretty goals in that time but not enough banging away at rebounds and those garbage goals, I'd argue.

[Vinny01]

Matt seems like a highly intelligent kid. I wouldn't be surprised if he used Penticton strictly as a way to show how he can be the shift disturber we need in the top 6. Once main camp starts I think he will real it in and show management the other side of his game.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Matt seems like a highly intelligent kid. I wouldn't be surprised if he used Penticton strictly as a way to show how he can be the shift disturber we need in the top 6. Once main camp starts I think he will real it in and show management the other side of his game.

Hope so. I saw a little bit of it, but would be great to see more of the player that was touted one of the best out there below the hashmarks.

[Toonage]

Sort of like picking a fight on the first day in prison (if movies have taught me anything). Make sure everyone knows who you are.

[BrownDrake]

Think he fell into the usually trap some youngsters do...trying too hard to impress. He plays nothing like that. 80 PIMs in 60 games, 22 in 3 games. Quite a few dumb penalties. He wasn't drafted to play in our bottom 6 and destroy his body like Bouma.

Lets hope he does a 180 for main camp because I think with that performance management is probably leaning towards another year in junior.

I really want to see him play in Calgary but probably does him a world of good to go back to junior for another year.

[868904]

Originally Posted by BrownDrake

Think he fell into the usually trap some youngsters do...trying too hard to impress. He plays nothing like that. 80 PIMs in 60 games, 22 in 3 games. Quite a few dumb penalties. He wasn't drafted to play in our bottom 6 and destroy his body like Bouma.

Lets hope he does a 180 for main camp because I think with that performance management is probably leaning towards another year in junior.

I really want to see him play in Calgary but probably does him a world of good to go back to junior for another year.

I think because of the physical game he plays along the boards and in front of the net, the best thing for his development is to go back to junior. At 18, his body is still developing, he doesn't have the muscle mass around his frame that is needed to take the daily punishment that NHL defenders will administer.

It's different facing a wirey teenage defenceman in the OHL than a NHL vet with man strength. We saw it with Bennett, he just couldn't play the game he wanted to play because he just didn't have the muscle mass. Monahan doesn't play a physical game so it was fine for him to step in at 18.

But with Tkachuk, the physical game is even bigger part of his game than Bennett's so he's going to suffer more. You don't want to ruin his body before he is ready. I think mentally, intelligence and skill wise, he might be ready for the NHL, but physically, he just can't be ready. I don't care what they list his weight at, he looks skinny and wirey.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by BrownDrake

Lets hope he does a 180 for main camp because I think with that performance management is probably leaning towards another year in junior.

I don't really follow. Our management has talked about the need to get bigger, Tkachuk would help with that. Our management has talked about the need to add truculence and Tkachuk just put on a big display of that.

What about his performance would have management leaning towards another year in junior?

This tournament doesn't mean that much in the grand scheme of things. How he plays against NHLers is going to be a much bigger determinant of where he plays.

[BrownDrake]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

I don't really follow. Our management has talked about the need to get bigger, Tkachuk would help with that. Our management has talked about the need to add truculence and Tkachuk just put on a big display of that.

What about his performance would have management leaning towards another year in junior?

This tournament doesn't mean that much in the grand scheme of things. How he plays against NHLers is going to be a much bigger determinant of where he plays.

I just think perhaps it points to a bit of immaturity but just guessing. As the poster above states playing a physical game against NHL'ers is a lot different than playing against junior players. He certainly looked good on some shifts but didn't really stand out as a tremendous offensive threat. I think our plan for him would be a top six offensive role - is he better served getting limited bottom six minutes in Calgary or top line minutes in junior for one more year?
I think we can all agree another year of junior is better for any 18 year old versus the NHL. I am not sure if there has been an instance where its hurt a player to stay back until they are a bit bigger and more mature.

[Karl]

Originally Posted by BrownDrake

I just think perhaps it points to a bit of immaturity but just guessing. As the poster above states playing a physical game against NHL'ers is a lot different than playing against junior players. He certainly looked good on some shifts but didn't really stand out as a tremendous offensive threat. I think our plan for him would be a top six offensive role - is he better served getting limited bottom six minutes in Calgary or top line minutes in junior for one more year?
I think we can all agree another year of junior is better for any 18 year old versus the NHL. I am not sure if there has been an instance where its hurt a player to stay back until they are a bit bigger and more mature.

As the other guy said, this young stars tourney is NOT a good indicator in determining whether anybody's NHL ready or not because it's just kids playing against other kids and very young, raw and inexperienced pros.

And hey, maybe you're right or maybe you're not, but it's premature to lean towards Tkachuk going back to junior before we see how he does in the main NHL training camp against older men, just like it's also premature of some Flames media heads to declare Janko NHL-ready based on this young stars thing as well before he shows what he's got in NHL main training camp.

[CliffFletcher]

I love seeing Tkachuk's jam, but things will play out a lot differently when it's Brent Burns or Corey Perry he's taking runs at instead of Brendan Lemieux. The Flames shouldn't be counting on an 18-year-old to provide them with a heavy game along the boards and in front of the net. That's what Brouwer and Chiasson were brought in for. Tkachuk will be better at it, and better able to endure the punishment he'll provoke, in another year. There's no need to rush.