Matthew Tkachuk & Johnny Gaudreau Signing Watch Thread

[bax]

Originally Posted by blankall

Firstly, I said somewhat easily replaceable....and yes, we all know what Tkachuk brings.

You can disagree with me, but it's also obvious that Tkachuk's numbers were inflated this year due to playing with Gaudreau. Tkachuk himself has only hit PPG once, and that was this year. And yes, his line was dominant 5v5, but how much of that was Tkachuk and how much was his linemates.

As for his "brawn" and "power forward" abilities....that has yet to consistently show up in the playoffs. Tkachuk IMO is far more of a pest, than a true physical player. That has value too, but let's not pretend he is Iginla, driving through the defence.

Tkachuk is also the type of guy who is going to squeeze a major contract out of whoever he signs with. There are UFA players almost every year that you can acquire if you are willing to spend big bucks (which Tkachuk is almost certain to demand). And it's this likely big demand that might force the team to make a change. Tkachuk may be holding out for $10 million, so that means making cuts in the lineup elsewhere.

There are most certainly ways to trade Tkachuk and still come out ahead. Firstly, you can hopefully get a boatload of assets. Secondly, as I stated before, Gaudreau can play with a lot of guys and he's been shown to consistently give his linemates 20+ bumps in their point production.

Easily replaceable or somewhat easily replaceable - what’s the difference? Tkachuk is neither of those things.

If you’re worried about how much Tkachuk contributes to his lines dominance there are plenty of metrics that show he contributes a lot.

You’re worried about him getting a big contract? Yeah top players typically earn top dollar - that isn’t a problem. Cap issues arise when you have 5-6 million dollar guys taking up space on the bottom half of your roster.

Bottom line is there no comparable player to Tkachuk available in free agency and heck even if there were what are the odds of Calgary actually landing him? Calgary typically isn’t a top pick for high profile free agents.

If your solution to replacing Tkachuk is signing an older, less productive, and equally as expensive player then you’re not making out ahead.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Vinny01

Islanders were a team that got better after their best player walked for nothing so the same will happen for the Flames?

Well, no. The point is that we don't know what will happen, but the loss of Gaudreau is not dire, so as to utterly cripple the team. Even in his absence, there are some good players on the Flames roster, a future HOF coach, and a top goaltender. Much like the Islanders, there is reason to believe that the Flames could still find success.


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[JohnnyB]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Well, no. The point is that we don't know what will happen, but the loss of Gaudreau is not dire, so as to utterly cripple the team. Even in his absence, there are some good players on the Flames roster, a future HOF coach, and a top goaltender. Much like the Islanders, there is reason to believe that the Flames could still find success.


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The Flames may still be fine as a team. It's will just have been such a waste to lose him for nothing if he walks. And, there are very few in the league as entertaining as Johnny. The Flames will almost certainly not be as fun to watch without that creativity and passing on the ice.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Winsor_Pilates

I still think Johnny and Tkachuk sign but the team has a lack of everything if they don't.

They have completely built around these 2 staying and there is no plan B. As you've pointed out, they haven't done anything to pivot and re tool or rebuild if this goes the wrong way.

The team isn't advertising their plans, but I seriously doubt that means they don't have any. Just because you can't see the path forward is no reason to think there isn't one. I suspect Brad Treliving is a hell of a lot better at this stuff than you, or any one of the rest of us.


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[devo22]

yep. There's no way they haven't made plans for every single scenario here.

[calgaryred]

Originally Posted by Flamesfan05

He is pretty much holding them hostage now

We don't know that, we have no idea what has been said so far.

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[Lanny_McDonald]

Originally Posted by prizefighterinferno

But I could definitely live with Kyrou and Neighbours and a pick if it had to happen.

Kyrou, Neighbors, and Perunovich for Tkachuk and a small sweetener. Three key pieces to add depth in areas where we need help. I do that deal regardless of what happens with Gaudreau.

[ComixZone]

Originally Posted by Lanny_McDonald

Kyrou, Neighbors, and Perunovich for Tkachuk and a small sweetener. Three key pieces to add depth in areas where we need help. I do that deal regardless of what happens with Gaudreau.

Matthew Tkachuk was the 4th best player in the league when it comes to ESP/60 and P/60 last year.

You can get a better return than that for him. Much better.

IF Tkachuk were to be traded he'd likely be the biggest trade in recent NHL history. When was the last time a 24 year 100+ point player was traded in the NHL?

[Goriders]

Get the feeling they probably aren’t going to be able to afford both Tkachuk and Gaudreau. If they are spending money I spend it on Johnny.

Once they get past this season Monhan and Lucic come off the books I believe. Doesn’t really help though for this offseason.

Could be a very different looking team in a week. Either way unless contracts are framed lighter for next year and ramped up someone has to leave the ship.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by JohnnyB

The Flames may still be fine as a team. It's will just have been such a waste to lose him for nothing if he walks. And, there are very few in the league as entertaining as Johnny. The Flames will almost certainly not be as fun to watch without that creativity and passing on the ice.

Winning is fun. I don't watch because I like to be dazzled by this or that player. Of course, we all enjoy the display of skill. But get real: if the team continues to win like they did last year, no one will be complaining about a shortage of pretty scoring plays. Winning cures everything.

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[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Goriders

Get the feeling they probably aren’t going to be able to afford both Tkachuk and Gaudreau. If they are spending money I spend it on Johnny.

Once they get past this season Monhan and Lucic come off the books I believe. Doesn’t really help though for this offseason...

That's the Nathan MacKinnon fund.


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[devo22]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Matthew Tkachuk was the 4th best player in the league when it comes to ESP/60 and P/60 last year.

You can get a better return than that for him. Much better.

IF Tkachuk were to be traded he'd likely be the biggest trade in recent NHL history. When was the last time a 24 year 100+ point player was traded in the NHL?

Kyrou is a heck of a player though. PPG already, and had 7 goals in 12 playoffs games this year. Excellent skater too. Perunovich projects to becoming a top 4 defenseman, Neighbours is a 1st round prospect.

it's not a bad package at all. Could they do better? Who knows. But that's three really solid pieces and that's what I'd want for Tkachuk.

[Canada 02]

Originally Posted by Monahammer

Kyrou + is potentially the most appealing package for Tkachuk IMO. I don't think the blues will offer Kyrou though.

I’m not sure why, but the same talking heads seem to think Kyrou is not going to be a Blue for long

[Chi-Town Hustler]

What day does Kevin "need to be first" Weekes post an incorrect signing?

Go Flams

[Winsor_Pilates]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

The team isn't advertising their plans, but I seriously doubt that means they don't have any. Just because you can't see the path forward is no reason to think there isn't one. I suspect Brad Treliving is a hell of a lot better at this stuff than you, or any one of the rest of us.


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Well I'm not his competition; it's 31 other NHL GMs.
He'll be judged on how he competes to them, not guy on the internet.

I expect more of our GM than being better at his job than people on a message board, but you are free to have low standards.

[Macman]

I’m also starting to think that maybe Gaudreau will leave just cause there’s been nothing said by anyone. I still think we have to be patient and let him explore free agency, it’s his right.
I don’t think we’ll lose both Gaudreau and Tkachuk though, if Johnny does leave I think there’ll be a long term deal for Matthew right quick.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Matthew Tkachuk was the 4th best player in the league when it comes to ESP/60 and P/60 last year.

You can get a better return than that for him. Much better.

IF Tkachuk were to be traded he'd likely be the biggest trade in recent NHL history. When was the last time a 24 year 100+ point player was traded in the NHL?

Tkachuk is an excellent player, no one is disputing that.

But he also has only one year left before UFA, and is expected to be a tough sign for mega dollars.

If he gets traded, and that team cannot pre-negotiate a long term extension, his value, while still high, won't be the same. He'll be looked upon as a rental player, albeit, a full year rental.

[Flamesfan05]

Originally Posted by calgaryred

We don't know that, we have no idea what has been said so far.

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According to several reports on twitter (labrun). They have not replied to the Flames offer. Treliving is trying to meet them this week to clarify.

That’s not holding then I don’t know what is

[Cole436]

I want to believe no news is good news. If Johnny was determined to hit the FA market, I don't think Treliving would be sitting on his hands like this.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by ComixZone

Matthew Tkachuk was the 4th best player in the league when it comes to ESP/60 and P/60 last year.

You can get a better return than that for him. Much better.

IF Tkachuk were to be traded he'd likely be the biggest trade in recent NHL history. When was the last time a 24 year 100+ point player was traded in the NHL?

Mark Stone was 26 and on a better than PPG pace, plus a lot better defensively. I'd say that was probably a bigger trade. Based on expectations (not results) Eichel was a bigger trade.

Previously: Kovalchuk, maybe?