[News] Tkachuk makes opening day roster

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

I am curious to know which players you think the Flames pressed too early into NHL action.

I think Bennett probably could have used one more season dominating in junior rather than struggle like he did for long stretches last season and still struggling so far this season. In all honesty he looked a lot better in his first Flames training camp than he did this preseason and first few games.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I think Bennett probably could have used one more season dominating in junior rather than struggle like he did for long stretches last season and still struggling so far this season. In all honesty he looked a lot better in his first Flames training camp than he did this preseason and first few games.

This part is just false. He was the Flames best player this pre-season.

[Hockeyguy15]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I think Bennett probably could have used one more season dominating in junior rather than struggle like he did for long stretches last season and still struggling so far this season. In all honesty he looked a lot better in his first Flames training camp than he did this preseason and first few games.

He may not have any points to show for it but I thought he has looked quite good in the first 3 games.

[Firebot]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I think Bennett probably could have used one more season dominating in junior rather than struggle like he did for long stretches last season and still struggling so far this season. In all honesty he looked a lot better in his first Flames training camp than he did this preseason and first few games.

???

Bennett was the Flames best player this whole preseason and looked very ready. He still had 18 goals last year in his rookie season and 37 points. Monahan had 34 points his rookie season...

It's been 3 games, where our star player in Gaudreau has 1 assist and is a -4. Bennett or Tkachuk are not the problem on this team 3 games in. Way too early to make such conclusions.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by PeteMoss

This part is just false. He was the Flames best player this pre-season.

He was okay in a very mediocre preseason. I though he stood out more in his first preseason where he came out of nowhere and was arguably their best player. I'm not saying he's a bust but I always thought he could have used another season in junior especially because his last season was cut short due to injury.

It seems that maybe Flames fans simply can't stomach a rebuild as there doesn't seem to be a lot of patience. I'm fine with whatever direction management wants to go with Tkachuk but I'm just not in as much of a hurry as some of you to have the shiny new toys playing in the NHL from day one that's all. Treliving did say just last year that no player has ever had their career ruined by spending extra time developing so it could go either way.

[d_phaneuf]

to me guys like Tcachuk and others are why the NHL needs to change it's agreement with the CHL

I think its as simple as letting 1st round picks in to the AHL right away and not waiting until they are above age, maybe even make it more specific and have it at guys selected in the lottery picks can

[herashak]

Tkatchuk will probably get 10 more minutes of ice time per game with London. Instead of focusing on adjusting he can focus on developing his skating, puck skills, and strength. He'll play in playoff games and he'll be the one carrying the puck much more without marner and dvorak. You can't say another year in junior would hurt him.

[belsarius]

Originally Posted by herashak

Tkatchuk will probably get 10 more minutes of ice time per game with London. Instead of focusing on adjusting he can focus on developing his skating, puck skills, and strength. He'll play in playoff games and he'll be the one carrying the puck much more without marner and dvorak. You can't say another year in junior would hurt him.

Not saying it would hurt him. I think that playing 12-15 minutes against NHL players will force him to up his skill level a lot faster than going 20-22 minutes against junior opponents. Participating in professional practices, seeing the faster game and having to make adjustments to real competition will force him to improve faster than playing against weaker opponents. He's proved what he can do in the playoffs, he's carried the puck, he's shown he is more than capable of playing an NHL game. 20 minutes in junior won't teach him like having to deal with a guy like Drew Doughty will.

[wingmaker]

Until Tkatchuk stops being the best option as the 2nd/3rd line left wing, he should stay with the Flames.

Way too much is made of this argument to send players down. Detroit over cooking prospects blah blah blah. That worked for them because they had a team with a tremendous amount of depth throughout their lineup. If a young player is actually better than the other options at a certain position, there is no reason to send them down. Simple as that. Yes, if a team has too many young players on their roster, like the Oilers in years past, they collectively can struggle from being forced into positions over their head. That is not the case in Calgary. There are plenty of veteran players to carry the load defensively. Who else is better suited to play on Bennett's wing? Neither Bouma or Ferland have outplayed him at any point since the start of the preseason. Furthermore, in Calgary he gets the benefit of NHL level coaching and competition that will force him out of his comfort zone.

[Niemo]

Where ever is best for him to improve his skating is where he should go! I honestly think that skating will be the only thing that holds him back from being a star player in this league.

As a side note - if it works, send Monahan too.

[Cactus Jack]

As their will for sure be another lockout, the NHL should take advantage of that and skip the draft one year (if the lockout goes a full year). By waiting two years to do an an exhaustive 14 rounds (two years´ worth), you at least push future draft ages to 19. 20 would be ideal because then teams would better know the player they pick, but it´s a step in the right direction. Sports like the NFL benefit from older draft classes where players step in because they are more mature physically and mentally.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Keep him up.

[GoJetsGo]

He's physically ready, and gaining confidence with each game.

So far so good as far as sticking with the big club goes.

[CroFlames]

He's obviously physically ready. Why send him down?

He contributes offensively, agitates, and is not a liability defensively. I don't see the plus side to sending him down. He is an NHLer.

[GioforPM]

Tkachuk's been in the top half of the forwards easily, and not just offensive numbers. Physical, good effort every night, doesn't look out of place. I'd say he's played better than Bennett thus far - a simpler and more effective game. Playing with Brouwer develops him more than going to junior IMO.

But it's only been four games. If he eases up and gets too comfortable, things can change.

[Geeoff]

If Tkachuk keeps playing like he did last night, he's staying with the Flames.

[hockey.modern]

Liked Tkachuk's comment yesterday: "The first two periods were probably my worst games yet, so I had to come in the third and make a difference"

A goal and two big hits sure made a big difference

[Par]

Keep him with the big club, the skating thing is overrated.

[Bourque's Twin]

Tkachuk is staying with the big club. He will develop so much better in the NHL than in the OHL. Skating will improve more because he will have to stay at the NHL pace and take part in NHL practices. He's also proven that he's an effective 2nd or 3rd line winger only 4 games in. Monahan and Bennett both benefited greatly by sticking as rookies.

[CaptainCrunch]

I think there's nothing to be gained by sending him back to the OHL where he will dominate and bad habits will seep into his game.

Keep him up, keep feeding him minutes and give him a NHL quality of lifestyle and coaching.