[News] Tkachuk makes opening day roster - Page 5 - Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community

Ashasx · 10-17-2016, 09:14 AM

I think he should go back. I just don't know who replaces him on the Flames.

Da_Chief · 10-17-2016, 09:16 AM

^Easy Shinakaruk.

Erick Estrada · 10-17-2016, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ashasx

I think he should go back. I just don't know who replaces him on the Flames.

This team really has an issue in regards to winger depth. He should go back down (he really has only has one year of OHL experience) but right now he's probably one of the better wingers on the team.

PepsiFree · 10-17-2016, 09:21 AM

I can't see how sending him back is beneficial. Playing on the third line in the NHL is significantly better experience than the 1st line in the OHL (which he's already done).

Obviously he needs work, but he is keeping up and looking like a fit. I'd agree it'd be harder to learn if he was a major step behind everyone else but he's not.

Are some sending him back in their minds just because people are worried about the quality of the team? I'm not sure that makes any difference.

polak · 10-17-2016, 09:23 AM

1) He doesn't look out of place at all (I didn't see the Canucks game but I think he looked better than Sam "Try to Stick Handle through 4 guys" Bennett in the first two games).

2) We have no one that would be an improvement on him to take his place.

So why are we sending him down? Cause the team lost the first 3 games?

belsarius · 10-17-2016, 09:25 AM

There is nothing left for him to learn in junior. The number one thing he needs right now is time to get acclimatized to the speed of the NHL. Sending him back does nothing but delays this. His skills are NHL ready, his size is NHL ready, he was a winner and clutch guy last year. What is there left for him to learn? Save a year of ELC to potentially delay his getting used to the NHL speed on a daily basis? That doesn't make sense to me.

If he stumbles in the next 6 games then sure send him down, but 12-13 mins a night in the NHL is so much better than 20 minutes a night in Jr.

Hockeyguy15 · 10-17-2016, 09:26 AM

You can't make the decision based on burning or not burning a year on his ELC, it has to come down to what is better for his development.

He is kind of in between for me in that he isn't looked out of place, but really hasn't forced the teams hand either. He isn't afraid to go into the dirty areas and overall I have liked his positioning, so I am wondering what sending him back to junior would accomplish? If he was far behind the play, looked scared of contact, or was always out of position it would be a no-brainer to send him back.

metal_geek · 10-17-2016, 09:26 AM

He looks like a young kid adjusting and doing a good job of it.

I'm not saying its the same situation but I think he's had a better start then Johnny had first games of his rookie season.. So i'm gonna cut him some slack.

shadowlord · 10-17-2016, 09:37 AM

Just for comparison, how did Monahan fare in his first 3 games?

squiggs96 · 10-17-2016, 09:41 AM

I'm almost positive you can't send him down after 5 and then bring him back later, unless it's an emergency recall line Sven.

AC · 10-17-2016, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowlord

Just for comparison, how did Monahan fare in his first 3 games?

2G and 1A. Finished with 6G and 3A in his 9 games.

Different roles though, Tkachuk could potentially have no points and still stay beyond 9.

Hockeyguy15 · 10-17-2016, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowlord

just for comparison, how did monahan fare in his first 3 games?

2g 1a -3

Ashasx · 10-17-2016, 09:44 AM

I think there is a lot Tkachuk can still learn playing in the OHL. He won't have Dvorak or Marner this season, so he'll have to learn to be a little less reliant on elite linemates. He would have a big role for that team.

zukes · 10-17-2016, 09:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by squiggs96

I'm almost positive you can't send him down after 5 and then bring him back later, unless it's an emergency recall line Sven.

You can't bring him back until his team's junior season is over. The only hope of that would be a major upset, or the Knights trading him, both very unlikely. If he goes down, he is down for the year. Unless there is an emergency recall situation.

NuclearFart · 10-17-2016, 10:03 AM

His very physical style of playing is only going to develop further playing against men, not against the boys of OHL. Since he can't go to the AHL, he's better off developing in the NHL at this point.

Offensively he needs to adjust to the speed of NHL, this will require more than 3 games.

codynw · 10-17-2016, 10:08 AM

If Tkachuk goes back to junior, is he eligible for the AHL in 2017-18? Or does he have to go back to junior again?

metal_geek · 10-17-2016, 10:20 AM

Here's the start to Johnny's Rookie season. He didn't even look as good as these stats do. I don't really want to go digging for CP posts but there were a lot of JG to the Heat posts at that time too..

Game Player G A PTS +/- PIM PP PP S SHFT T
1 John Gaudreau 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 1 21 16:04
2 John Gaudreau 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 19 12:54
3 John Gaudreau 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 16 12:20
4 John Gaudreau 0 0 0 -1 0 0 0 0 18 12:49
5 John Gaudreau 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 17 10:31
6 Healthy Scratch
7 John Gaudreau 1 1 2 2 0 1 0 2 19 12:52
8 John Gaudreau 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 20 15:19
9 John Gaudreau 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 20 15:51
10 John Gaudreau 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 21 17:05
11 John Gaudreau 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 6 20 16:10

Ashasx · 10-17-2016, 10:20 AM

I think Johnny was just fine for his first 5 games and was scratched because Hartley wasn't so smart.

Strange Brew · 10-17-2016, 10:27 AM

It would be a different evaluation if one of the other wingers in the organization was knocking on the door during training camp. Since they weren't, this helps Tkachuk's prospects of sticking IMO.

The argument that going back to junior doesn't help his development isn't a strong one. "He needs to get used to the NHL game" could be true for every rookie. Let's see how he does over next few games. He doesn't look out of place so far, but not making much of an impact either.

Travis Munroe · 10-17-2016, 10:29 AM

I send him back - he had his taste and knows how more advanced the NHL is and knows what he will want to work on all while having fun and dominating the OHL.

The oilers could use the same excuse "we don't have anyone better to replace him" for all of the poor choices on keeping guys up. It is not about having someone better but the players long term growth. Tkachuk's development progresses quicker if he goes back to junior this year.

His style of game will require him to put on more weight and get stronger. Many of the other young guys who crack their teams lineup rely little on strength and size and more on speed, hands, etc.