[Signing] Flames sign Tkachuk (3 yrs, $7 mil AAV)

[HighLifeMan]

Had this deal been announced prior to Point signing it would be generally regarded as a very good contract. What point signed for in Tampa has absolutely no relevance to our organization, and our team. This is a good deal for both sides. Let's get this season going.

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by transplant99

Its not a good deal and its not a bad deal.

Its just...a deal.

He really did as well as he could on a couple fronts though, particularly with the 9M QO at the end that, as discussed, can walk him right ito UFA if he chooses not to re-up before that.

BT did well in getting the AAV to a point he could retain everyone on the team and not lose depth to fit one guy in.

Now its put up or shut up time for the whole lot of them.

Expectations from most are extremely high, let's see how they respond.

I don't know, I feel like this is a great deal for Tkachuk.

[Manhattanboy]

Funny read this from a Leafs fan:

1) two good hips? check
2) under 10.89 million ? check
3) kept his pants on in public in the off season ? check

[Aarongavey]

At least it is done. Not quite as good as Benning’s deal for boeser given they have very similar point production in their first 3 years, but it fits within the Flames salary situation. Longer term would have been better but Neal/Lucic prevented that option.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

What point signed for in Tampa has absolutely no relevance to our organization, and our team.

Comparable (or in this case better) players getting less has 100% relevance to the organization and team. In the cap era getting better bang for your buck is what makes championships.

[868904]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I don't really see Point as a player to gauge Tkachuk by. Tkachuk is really the most unique RFA out of this bunch.


Without looking, I would guess he plays the toughest minutes with the least favourable zone starts. Right? He also plays with a certain grit to his game, and is often an impact player even without touching the stats sheet. I don't know where you start in quantifying that in terms of dollars, but being higher than Point doesn't really surprise me. It wouldn't surprise me being lower than him either - that's just how difficult I think putting a 'number' on a unique player like Tkachuk is, at least in relation to other RFAs who probably don't do the kind of heavy lifting that Tkachuk does.


Was hoping for a longer-term deal, or at least a bit less money on a shorter deal, but this deal still allows the Flames to keep their team intact for the season. I am happy with that.

Exactly, power forwards are the rarest commodity, especially power forwards who actually play an abrasive style like Tkachuk.

If you look just at points alone, than yes, Tkachuk should be less than Point and Aho on 3 and 5 year terms, but when you factor in the intangibles, which is what i'm sure his camp was doing, it makes it really difficult.

[the-rasta-masta]

It’s actually an interesting deal with the bridge keeping the cap hit down. BT will get a good read of what this team really is this year, and how close they actually are. And with some contracts coming off the books next year, he’ll have some flexibility to fill in the gaps even further. Can’t imagine Brodie or Frolik will be back, and I feel the young guys will more than ever able to step into those spots. I still see BT going after Hall next year if he makes it to UFA.

[FlamesAddiction]

Great deal for the present. The team is in win-now mode, so the deal makes sense.

But that $9 million QO in 3 years could be a killer.

[transplant99]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

I don't know, I feel like this is a great deal for Tkachuk.

Its a good deal...not great.

Im sure he would have preferred something like Marner got, but that was never happening here and Meehan knows that.

His biggest win is the QO at 9M. That is a pretty nice starting point for a longer term deal after this one expires.

7M a year for the next 3 is also OK for him as it eliminates any worries about his future financial security should he suffer a career ending injury during that time.

Again though Im guessing had he been presented with 9.5 or 10M X 6 or 7 years he would have jumped all over that as well. This years cap structure for the club prevented that though.

In May I was convinced this thing would be a 6 year deal around 8.5 per. I think I underestimated that a bit though. I was always sure that if there was a short term deal, it would be 3 X 6.5 or 7 though. I just didn't think that would be the way either side went but the landscape changed the second Aho signed his offer sheet and then again when Marner took Dubas to the woodshed.

Been a fascinating thing to watch though....and as usual nothing was settled until real pressure points were close (losing money and/or games).

I think he has just enough time to get into good enough gameshape that he will be on the opening night roster. 5 practices and one game...maybe not quite what you want but enough they can play him.

[the-rasta-masta]

Originally Posted by FlamesAddiction

Great deal for the present. The team is in win-now mode, so the deal makes sense.

But that $9 million QO in 3 years could be a killer.

Who knows? Tkachuk could very easily become the best player on this team by then. I know they had different trajectories to the NHL, but Tkachuk as a 21 year old outscored Gaudreau at the same age.

[Vinny01]

I don’t think there is a chance Tkachuk takes is QO in year 4 unless he falls off a cliff and is not worth $9M. I could see it far more likely he goes to arbitration and gets awarded $10M+ on a one year then walks to free agency.

Until I hear otherwise I am going to be optimistic he gets a long term deal a year before free agency and signs for the 8 years and is given the C in year 1 of that extension.

[Beatle17]

Originally Posted by the-rasta-masta

Who knows? Tkachuk could very easily become the best player on this team by then. I know they had different trajectories to the NHL, but Tkachuk as a 21 year old outscored Gaudreau at the same age.

And he also outscored Brayden Point as a 21 year old.

[Geeoff]

Originally Posted by Aarongavey

At least it is done. Not quite as good as Benning’s deal for boeser given they have very similar point production in their first 3 years, but it fits within the Flames salary situation. Longer term would have been better but Neal/Lucic prevented that option.

I don't see how this is a comparable. Tkachuk doesn't spend most of his time on the IR and also there are elements to hockey other than points. It's like saying Monahan is as good as Patrice Bergeron because they score a similar number of points.

[HighLifeMan]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

Comparable (or in this case better) players getting less has 100% relevance to the organization and team. In the cap era getting better bang for your buck is what makes championships.

Point is also two years older (21 months technically), and at Tkachuk's age was coming off a 40 point season.

In addition to that had Tkachuk shot at Point's 21.5% shooting percentage this past season he would have finished with 45 goals, and 88 points. The two really are not that far off in terms of ability.

[cannon7]

Very happy with this contract. If Tkachuk proves he's the next captain when this contract is up then he deserves the big bucks.

[Moneyhands23]

Press conference at 4 pm as per 960

Both Tkachuk and BT

[tvp2003]

Wasn't too concerned if he missed a few games, but happy to see him signed before the regular season. Also not going to sweat the details like AAV, qualifying number, etc -- I'm more interested in watching the players perform on the ice and not what their contracts might be in 3-4 years (a lot can happen between now and then).

I also look at it this way -- if the Flames are (gasp) successful over the next 3 years, that's good enough and I won't be worried about being able keep everyone. On the other hand, if they underachieve, then I'll be less concerned about pieces of the current core moving on at that point.

[Squirrel]

Yes! I like this contract for both sides.

Can now finally focus on the start of the season!

[FlamesAddiction]

Originally Posted by tvp2003

Wasn't too concerned if he missed a few games, but happy to see him signed before the regular season. Also not going to sweat the details like AAV, qualifying number, etc -- I'm more interested in watching the players perform on the ice and not what their contracts might be in 3-4 years (a lot can happen between now and then).

That's pretty much how I like to look at it too. Cross that bridge when it comes. If you spend too much effort worrying about the future, you miss out on the present.

[Buff]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

There's nothing wrong with looking ahead and being concerned about the ability to keep a good team together. Part of me looks at that but the other half is happy this is done so the team can start the season without distractions. I'm perfectly fine to see what this season and the next two bring because you never know in 3/4 years maybe some of these players aren't part of the solution anyway and if they are then trying to keep them will be a good problem to have.

You're right, there is nothing wrong with looking forward to see potential issues. The first words out of some people's mouths were concern and came across as negativity instead of being happy that the Flames keep their top forwards together for another few years.