Matthew Tkachuk, Does he make the team.

[kermitology]

I think he does. He seems to be making something of that line with Bennett and Brouwer.

[polak]

He should definitely get his 9 games based on the Brouwer - Bennett - Tkachuk line alone.

[Cantrader]

I think he will as Bennett/tkachuk/Brouwer looks good as the 2nd line. They will be exciting.

[SofaProfessor]

I think he sticks around just by virtue of the lack of depth on wing. He's NHL ready but that's not to say he doesn't still need a lot of work. Might as well keep him around if he can help you and let him learn on the job rather than slot in a plug who may not be any better. I think the best argument for sending him back to junior is that he gets a chance to be a leader and learn that role. That said, you'll probably learn more about being a leader by watching guys like Gio than actually leading some 17 year old kids.

[zukes]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

This is true. I just don't think he can play in the dirty areas and balls to the walls for all 82 games.

His play with the Knights last year would say otherwise. The guy played the playoffs on one leg and scored 20 goals in 18 games (to go with 20 assists).

I know it is a different league, but Tkachuk is a constant pain in the butt and always, always goes to the greasy areas.

I would be shocked if he did not make this team. This is exactly the kind of player the Flames need.

[Vinny01]

Flames could end up burning a year and still sending him back to junior like Bennett. Give him 5-9 games now and then call him up if they make the playoffs and London is out.

[trumpethead]

My biggest complaint with Tkachuk so far is that he is a pathological mouth guard chewer (worse than Johnny even). I wonder why he even bothers with one because it is never in his mouth?

[puckedoff]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Flames could end up burning a year and still sending him back to junior like Bennett. Give him 5-9 games now and then call him up if they make the playoffs and London is out.

Phat chance

[JerryUnderscore]

Originally Posted by trumpethead

My biggest complaint with Tkachuk so far is that he is a pathological mouth guard chewer (worse than Johnny even). I wonder why he even bothers with one because it is never in his mouth?

If that's your biggest complaint, then he should definitely stick with the team this year.

[zukes]

Originally Posted by puckedoff

Phat chance

Beat me to it. They're stacked yet again.

[CroFlames]

Burning a year off a guy's ELC is not the end of the world. Of course, if he's not ready, you absolutely send him back.

If he's ready, you go for it while giving him sheltered mins

[Enoch Root]

They mentioned on one of the telecasts that the Knights started their season with 15 players still in NHL camps.

15!

Pretty safe bet their spring goes longer than the Flames'

[Erick Estrada]

Give him nine games but if he doesn't stand out send him back to junior for another season.

[CroFlames]

I wish the 9 games thing was actually more like 19 games.

[Gaudreauvertime]

Yea I think I would give him one more year. Let him be the guy in London and get his foot speed up.

I say give him a chance to force our hand, but he'd have to really impress and produce in those 9 games to make me change my mind.

[Flamenspiel]

He makes the team, I would already rank him in our top 6. He gets 9 games at least, Flames just have poor depth in this area.

[CGY12]

Don't make the decision based on the Flames depth situation or lack thereof. This decision should 100% be made based on Tkatchuk's development. This kid could turn into a star, if put into a position to succeed and handled properly.

Saying that, you give him his 9 games and go from there. Nothing would be better for this organization if they built a 1 2 punch of Johnny/Monahan and Bennett/Tkatchuk.

[locsofblu]

I think he get's the 9 games and that's about it.

[GC91]

9 for sure..has an excellent chance of making the team in my opinion. Looks like he has the maturity and confidence to stick around the nhl at his age.

[ricardodw]

pretty sure the Flames will keep with their policy of getting through a player's ELC as fast as possible.


I look for them to follow the Oilers Draisatl example where somewhere after 20-30 games they realize that being CHL big and tough at 18 is not NHL tough.