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

[VladtheImpaler]

Originally Posted by New Era

If thanks were active you would get one! Billy was a great pitcher and a better guy. Like Riley Tufte, Billy battled diabetes, which makes his career even more impressive.

Was? Has he passed away?

[azzarish]

Honestly, people can have their opinions on why they weren't high on him, but we just drafted a guy who could easily have gone 4th overall and was highly expected to. How can you not be happy with that??

[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by VladtheImpaler

Was? Has he passed away?

No, I think he's still kicking. Our paths crossed for a few years, hence the past tense.

[Ashasx]

Did we see this?

Rob Gronkowski ✔ @RobGronkowski
Dang, that's legit! Tkachuk better be decking fools now!!

Reply after Tkachuk being compared to Gronkowski.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by Prufrock

Awesome.
Kevin Hayes ‏@KevinPHayes12 2h2 hours ago
Congrats cuz, @TKACHUKycheese_ on being drafted by the flames. @johngaudreau03 likes his passes in stride and back door tap-ins.

Now time to bring Hayes over.

[djsFlames]

Originally Posted by azzarish

Honestly, people can have their opinions on why they weren't high on him, but we just drafted a guy who could easily have gone 4th overall and was highly expected to. How can you not be happy with that??

Marner and Dvorak factor. That's pretty much it. People think he may have been a beneficiary more than the catalyst.

But if that's true then why was he projected to go 4th? He was scoring at a junior McDavid rate in the playoffs. Regardless of the teammates, that's impressive.

[dammage79]

Just glad we didn't go D. I wasn't on the Tkachuk bandwagon and certainly believed that with all the hoopla surrounding Tkachuk he was a certainty to not be there at #6.

All that being said, if Tkachuk is what he is and can do what he does in the NHL, Bennett/Tkachuk is going to be a devastating force for years to come. Like devastating. So while he wasn't my choice I am definitely not upset or disappointed with this pick.

Let's get on to prospect camp!

[calumniate]

No 'it is what it is' from this guy. Dude wants to be here, and seems to bring leadership off the top. Really happy about it

[Crumpy-Gunt]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Bennett/Tkachuk is going to be a devastating force for years to come. Like devastating.

Couldnt agree more.

[sureLoss]

Ryan Leslie @ryanleslie73
He's a dirty SOB to play against.- Treliving on Tkachuk.

[djsFlames]

How about

Tkachuk - Bennett - Lucic

Jk.

Or could it happen...

[AcGold]

Originally Posted by djsFlames

How about

Tkachuk - Bennett - Lucic

Jk.

Or could it happen...

Get rid of Wideman, Stajan or Bollig then yeah it's possible. We have 10 million tied up in useless players of course it could happen.

[sun]

Love that his favourite player is Perry. Hope he plays like him.

[sureLoss]

Wills says Tkachuk can play LW, RW and Treliving just told him he could play C..

[Krynn]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Just glad we didn't go D. I wasn't on the Tkachuk bandwagon and certainly believed that with all the hoopla surrounding Tkachuk he was a certainty to not be there at #6.

All that being said, if Tkachuk is what he is and can do what he does in the NHL, Bennett/Tkachuk is going to be a devastating force for years to come. Like devastating. So while he wasn't my choice I am definitely not upset or disappointed with this pick.

Let's get on to prospect camp!

Same here ,I trust the team

[Calgary4LIfe]

Really happy with Tkachuk. I didn't think he would fall - I actually thought it may have been Dubois that fell.

Kid probably has an even higher compete level than Bennett, and has very soft hands and a quick and accurate shot. He can make plays in-tight and under pressure.

What I really like? His skill set is so translatable to the NHL. He doesn't over-power guys in junior - he is just like a dog on a bone and just refuses to give an inch and just out-compete guys.

I am huge on prospects with high IQ, non-stop motors and high compete levels. Flash is nice too - I really like Keller as well and he is flashy - but Tkachuk just has everything you want in a player to help you win.

I am not worried about his skating - I think it was similar to Monahan's in his draft year, and I would say Monahan is doing fine. If he didn't have the high hockey IQ, then it would be more of a concern. Kid will be a core player for at least a decade.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

We already know what Gaudreau and Monahan can do together. Watching Bennett and Tkachuk do their thing on the same line is going to be disgusting. Craig Button was saying that he's NHL ready now. Man, that'd be huge.

[icecube]

This feels like a wet dream that I haven't woken up from yet.

[Par]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Really happy with Tkachuk. I didn't think he would fall - I actually thought it may have been Dubois that fell.

Kid probably has an even higher compete level than Bennett, and has very soft hands and a quick and accurate shot. He can make plays in-tight and under pressure.

What I really like? His skill set is so translatable to the NHL. He doesn't over-power guys in junior - he is just like a dog on a bone and just refuses to give an inch and just out-compete guys.

I am huge on prospects with high IQ, non-stop motors and high compete levels. Flash is nice too - I really like Keller as well and he is flashy - but Tkachuk just has everything you want in a player to help you win.

I am not worried about his skating - I think it was similar to Monahan's in his draft year, and I would say Monahan is doing fine. If he didn't have the high hockey IQ, then it would be more of a concern. Kid will be a core player for at least a decade.

Skating thing is just bull####, they said the same thing about John Tavares and skating. Other wise I honestly don't know how to feel.

[Reggie Dunlop]

I'm positively giddy about this selection.

The final verdict has yet to play out, but he was not only the Best Player Available but he fills a void in the core group.