I can't see I've seen anything in Dubois, or Joulevi that makes me lament the Flames falling a spot in the draft. Certainly would have been nice to be in Winnipeg's spot and move up for Laine. But in no way can I complain about getting Tkachuk.
IIRC there was a lot of talk about the Flames moving up from 6 to 3. Still early, but it's looking pretty astute to stay and 6 and pick the guy they got. I do think playing with Frolik and Backlund does help, but Tkachuk isn't causing those two any undue stress.
If anything, Tkachuk is driving play on his own merit. I'd like to see Backs bumped to Johnny's like a Frolik and Tkachuk don't need him. He helps for sure, but if like to see the wealth spread a little
I can't see I've seen anything in Dubois, or Joulevi that makes me lament the Flames falling a spot in the draft. Certainly would have been nice to be in Winnipeg's spot and move up for Laine. But in no way can I complain about getting Tkachuk.
IIRC there was a lot of talk about the Flames moving up from 6 to 3. Still early, but it's looking pretty astute to stay and 6 and pick the guy they got. I do think playing with Frolik and Backlund does help, but Tkachuk isn't causing those two any undue stress.
Even Puljujarvi is looking worse than Tkachuk. It is so early but as of today only Laine and Matthews look like the better nhlers than Tkachuk. Given his style of play I would say it is unlikely that Puljujarvi ever passes Tkachuk in my books
Even Puljujarvi is looking worse than Tkachuk. It is so early but as of today only Laine and Matthews look like the better nhlers than Tkachuk. Given his style of play I would say it is unlikely that Puljujarvi ever passes Tkachuk in my books
This term is way too broad.
You can't teach Tkachuk's overall game. Sure he's not the stud scorer, but he's a game changer all on his own. I prefer Tkachuk's rounded out style rather than another dynamic one dimensional scoresheet princess. He's exciting to watch, period.
You can't teach Tkachuk's overall game. Sure he's not the stud scorer, but he's a game changer all on his own. I prefer Tkachuk's rounded out style rather than another dynamic one dimensional scoresheet princess. He's exciting to watch, period.
Agreed but I don't agree that Matthews and Laine are scoresheet princesses. Matthews has the look of a Franchise center out there. He has the size and skill to be a top 10 player in the game. 42 goal pace as a 19 year old as well. Laine is a big dynamic winger with elite goal scoring potential. Tkachuk is on his way to becoming my favorite Flame but replacing him with a Matthews or Laine and I think Calgary is a completely different team and higher in the standings. Matthews and Laine both have almost double the goals that our leading goal scorer Backlund has.
The Following User Says Thank You to Vinny01 For This Useful Post:
Agreed but I don't agree that Matthews and Laine are scoresheet princesses. Matthews has the look of a Franchise center out there. He has the size and skill to be a top 10 player in the game. 42 goal pace as a 19 year old as well. Laine is a big dynamic winger with elite goal scoring potential. Tkachuk is on his way to becoming my favorite Flame but replacing him with a Matthews or Laine and I think Calgary is a completely different team and higher in the standings. Matthews and Laine both have almost double the goals that our leading goal scorer Backlund has.
To be fair our leading goal scorer shouldn't be Backlund and it shouldn't be at 11.
Even Puljujarvi is looking worse than Tkachuk. It is so early but as of today only Laine and Matthews look like the better nhlers than Tkachuk. Given his style of play I would say it is unlikely that Puljujarvi ever passes Tkachuk in my books
It is even more puzzling on how the Oilers are managing him. He played 6 games in December averaging about 9 mins a game. He obviously isn't quite ready for the NHL rink so why not send him to AHL or to the WCJH since it is in NA.
You can't teach Tkachuk's overall game. Sure he's not the stud scorer, but he's a game changer all on his own. I prefer Tkachuk's rounded out style rather than another dynamic one dimensional scoresheet princess. He's exciting to watch, period.
You sort of can. Sure, Laine might never be a pest, but strictly speaking, he could be just as welll rounded in his prime. Look at his teammate Wheeler, one of the most well rounded players in the league and arguably a top 10 guy period. He was nowhere near that at Laine's age or even as a 23YO.
Tkachuk is well ahead of the curve, his coach growing up was a 500 goal scoring NHLer after all, but it's a lot more likely a guy like Laine catches him in overall play than him catching Laine in offensive domination.
And Matthews is trending towards a poor man's Crosby. Not sure how you take Tkachuk over him.
__________________
"May those who accept their fate find happiness. May those who defy it find glory."
Last edited by GranteedEV; 01-03-2017 at 03:55 PM.
The Following User Says Thank You to GranteedEV For This Useful Post:
The biggest thing about Tkachuk and his ability to generate points and penalties, is he's doing it while having a 35% offensive zone start.
Compare that to Jesse Puljujarvi, who has 61% offensive zone starts, or even Bennett with 54% offensive zone starts.
He's been given a role and has excelled at it. And he's 19.
On a side note, are the Oilers planning on destroying Puljujarvi or something? 8 points in 26 games and soft minutes for a purely offense player is not NHL level. He reminds me so much of a bad Joe Colborne out there.
On a side note, are the Oilers planning on destroying Puljujarvi or something? 8 points in 26 games and soft minutes for a purely offense player is not NHL level. He reminds me so much of a bad Joe Colborne out there.
Just bizarre. One goal on the season and that came in the first game of the year in a blow out win vs our Flames. At least they previously let Draisaitl return to junior. Jesse could go to the AHL, let him.
Tkachuk has played a lot better then I thought he would this season. I still can't believe as a rookie he has slotted in on that line with Backlund and Frolik without looking out of place. I think he has also been getting better as the season has progressed.
In regards to Puljujarvi, I guess we will see what the plan is with him on the 5th as that is the Oilers 40th game. I don't know what the scoop is on him from the media up north, but other then the an article early in the season there really hasn't been much said about him.
I wonder in a game like the Colorado game (basement dweller) if they should try to break up the fancy stat trio and see if they can make three lines better instead of one
Chris Johnston ✔ @reporterchris Auston Matthews named the NHL's rookie of the month for December. Laine, Tkachuk, Aho and Murray given an honourable mention.
I wonder in a game like the Colorado game (basement dweller) if they should try to break up the fancy stat trio and see if they can make three lines better instead of one
You hate to wreck a good thing, but the other two lines are getting pinned
Those lines look really nice. Of course you never want to mess with a good thing but those lines seem like they should be able to work. Tkachuk and Monahan would be a very interesting pairing.
__________________
Oliver Kylington is the greatest and best player in the world
For me, it makes sense to break up that line - at least on a trial period.
When Frolik was signed, Treliving's big selling point was that Frolik was a 'line fixer'. Frolik had a bit of a history in his career as being moved to a line that was struggling, and that line would find its' groove again.
We have seen Backlund making careers out of who he plays with - name a player he has played with for some time, and you will see 'career year' out of that player.
Tkachuk's advanced stat numbers contribute to his line, not detract. That's amazing given his age and the responsibility of that line. I would not expect him to drop off like Bouma did.
You wreck one of the NHL's better shut-down/depth scoring lines, but hopefully solidify your entire top 9 doing so. I agree that it is definitely worth a try.
FWIW, I really do like the Gaudreau/Bennett pairing. My lines would look a bit like this:
I also think that a Tkachuk - Monahan pairing would probably force Monahan to incorporate a bit more snarl into his game. That's probably a good thing (and I say this with the opinion that Monahan is a very good and very underappreciated player).
Another good time to try it would be against Vancouver on Saturday. Vancouver was probably one of the 'easier' games for the Flames this year, though the added pressure of a HNIC telecast might alter that.
I am starting to think that Tkachuk is a 'line fixer' and a 'line driver' all by himself too. I actually wish Ferland played a bit more like Tkachuk is. The only guy I don't want to see Tkachuk playing with is Gaudreau (someone would have to play the off-wing anyways). He brings guys into the game emotionally. If there is one other guy on the Flames that seems to do this lately, it is Gaudreau (for better or worse) when he gets the brunt of the oppositions physicality and distracting tactics.
The Following User Says Thank You to Calgary4LIfe For This Useful Post:
I agree in that I really want to give Backlund better line mates (he always seems a bit shafted, I agree 100%), but he seems to be the only center that is capable of really making his line mates much better.
I think he is the best bet for getting a guy like Ferland going, for instance. I also kind of think that Backlund just seems to work better with 'north-south' type of guys.
However, if anyone on this team deserves to have Gaudreau on his wing, it is Backlund. I would love to see that for a few games, and see if Backlund's game adapts to playing with more east-west types.
I do think you want to give Tkachuk - Monahan a try just for the sake of seeing Monahan play with some emotion. I keep remembering him creaming Reinhart facefirst into the boards during OT and setting up his own winning goal because of it. And Tkachuk did say that his two linemates have told him they've been in more scrums this season than most of their careers, so we may see Rage Mony yet.
__________________
Until the Flames make the Western Finals again, this signature shall remain frozen.
