Matthew Tkachuk and the 9 games

[goflamesgo18]

One of the few flames who drives the net consistently and has hands to finish. Doesn't look out of place at all. Size and strength aren't an issue. Speed isn't an issue.

I know he only has 3 points but the more he plays and learns the big game, points will come.

Gotta keep him or Flames leave a big hole on the left wing.

[CedarMeter]

If he did stay up could the Flames still lend him out for the World Jr tourney?

[shotinthebacklund]

This forum can be so bipolar. Last week he was too good to send down and this week after sitting for 2 games he cant cut it and should go down.

I don't know for sure if he should go down or stay up but will be more than okay with either choice. I think his development can be increased from both

[heep223]

Originally Posted by shotinthebacklund

This forum can be so bipolar. Last week he was too good to send down and this week after sitting for 2 games he cant cut it and should go down.



I don't know for sure if he should go down or stay up but will be more than okay with either choice. I think his development can be increased from both

People have different opinions. The horror.

[Caged Great]

having watched Stockton, keep Tkachuk in the NHL at least for a while.

The only viable replacement for him is Jankowski and the Flames are not likely wanting to move him to the wing in the NHL.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by CedarMeter

If he did stay up could the Flames still lend him out for the World Jr tourney?

Yes.

[dustygoon]

Given size of 2nd contracts I would rather burn a year. He is going to be cheaper to sign long term after two years vs three. And power forwards develop slower. It's the 40 game mark that is key anyway.

[It's a great day 4 hockey]

If he goes down we don't burn a year of his entry level contract and would not need to be protected for the expansion draft allowing somebody else to be protected.

Plus I don't want us to become Edmonton 2.0 where every first round pick makes the big club right out the gate. He's not playing exceptional therefore he needs to go down. I look forward to him progressing and showing what he can do next year.

[Finger Cookin]

Tkachuk doesn't have to be protected for the expansion draft at all, regardless of whether he's returned to junior or not.

[It's a great day 4 hockey]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Tkachuk doesn't have to be protected for the expansion draft at all, regardless of whether he's returned to junior or not.

Thanks for the insight. I still think he should go down for the other reasons I've mentioned though.

[shotinthebacklund]

Originally Posted by heep223

People have different opinions. The horror.

You miss understand me heep, im not inditing those who have a different opinion. I just think at times we judge too much on the soup de jour rather than the whole menu.

[Northendzone]

Last night on the radio broadcast both wills and lubo felt he has done enough to to stay.

I am not sure what the angry old guy who calls into overtime thinks

[GioforPM]

I bet they keep him to 39 games. Teams just don't seem to care about the 10 games as much.

[JohnnyTitan]

I think everyone agrees we can't wait to see Tkachuk a step faster and 10 lbs heavier. But it's not like he can only grow and get faster in junior.

His mental make-up is already Pro. He exhibits maturity and leadership beyond his years...he doesn't need to ride a bus for six months to learn these qualities.

I really do respect London as a great Jr. Franchise...but I think Tkachuk will get more development out of NHL practises, diet and weight training.

And for anyone freaking 'We're the Oilers '. ..our 2012 first rounder is still developing in the A. Players deveop differently and non-linear. The Flames brass will make the right call.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Caged Great

having watched Stockton, keep Tkachuk in the NHL at least for a while.

The only viable replacement for him is Jankowski and the Flames are not likely wanting to move him to the wing in the NHL.

Shinkaruk putting up a few points. Is he not an option? Is Poirier doing anything?

[edslunch]

Treliving preaches taking time with prospects. While Tkachuk hasn't looked totally out of place he hasn't made the case that he's ready either. I think he goes back.

[kyuss275]

He is on the bubble. If the flames are wanting to make a decision by 9th game then the next 2 are huge for him. I'm not sure the 9th game is the end all game , i think the 40th game, RfA decision, is the big one.

If they do send him down after the 9th game , flames are on the road in the Stockton area in that time. I do wonder who they would bring up if he goes down? Do they bring up a prospect to play top 9? Do they bring up Bollig to the pressbox and let Hamilton come in on 4th line? I would presume that Ferland or Bouma would play with Backlund line if this is the case.

[FlamesAddiction]

I wish it were possible for an NHL team to pay the junior team to relinquish their rights so Tkachuk could go to the AHL instead.

[PepsiFree]

You keep him.
The reasons for sending him down seem a little like hockey clichés.

Burning a year isn't a bad thing. Either you burn the year early and his next contract comes earlier in his development curve, leading to a lower contract, or you burn the year later and end up presumably paying more on the next contract.

The "becoming Edmonton" thing isn't applicable. Any prospect that has played their first year here (and it's rare) has been because they're physically able.

"Be the guy" on the London Knights? Newsflash, he wasn't the most talented guys on the Knights, but he decided to be "the guy" anyway, leading them to a Memorial Cup. He doesn't need to be their most talented forward to be a leader. It didn't stop him last year.

If you want him to develop into an NHL player, there's literally no better way to do that then to have him play in the NHL. The logical reasons for sending him down would be if he couldn't keep up mentally or physically. Neither is true. Is he our best winger? No. But easily been one of our top 9 forwards, something I don't know if you can count on any AHL guy to match.

No guy comes into the NHL without something to learn or improve on. Keep him up and let him learn the rest.

[FBI]

Please God no Bollig if we send him down.

I might be in the minority but I think Chucky should stay past the 9 games.