Matthew Tkachuk...

[codynw]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Isn't a middle six guy also a top six guy depending on lines 3 versus 2?
Seriously, I think you can pick one guy out of almost every top six on a given team that's playing a bit over his level. The Flames didn't hurt for production last year, with Frolik in that spot for the most part.

It sure would have helped if Bennett reflected his draft position. Even as a winger.

Seriously, almost no teams have six guys that are legitimate top six forwards. I think most teams should aim for four (two per line) with the rest filled out with guys that compliment the lines well. Ferland was that guy for both Calgary and Carolina. I think Mangiapane could be that player, and maybe Bennett, or Dube could be another.

[Jiri Hrdina]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

I’m far from a professional hockey player. But I have always supported “between the legs” as a legitimate move. Once you can do it yourself (likely not able to take it off a blocked shot and roof it from the hash marks) you’ll start to understand the benefits. Not only can it protect the puck a bit, the main bonus is how quickly you can elevate it compared to taking a regular forehand shot. You are able to elevate the puck further back in your stance. It can really be useful when properly used. So I support practicing it.

That being said, I never anticipated seeing something similar to how Tkachuk scored last night. Yikes.

I also think it changes the release angle. The same reason why a backhand can be tricky (I wish more players would develop lethal backhands - like Crosby). Goals are tracking where the player is and the expected angle the puck will come at them at. The between the leg shot basically means the goalie could be moving the wrong way and can't readjust.
So I agree it's a legit move and not hot dogging.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Jiri Hrdina

I also think it changes the release angle. The same reason why a backhand can be tricky (I wish more players would develop lethal backhands - like Crosby). Goals are tracking where the player is and the expected angle the puck will come at them at. The between the leg shot basically means the goalie could be moving the wrong way and can't readjust.
So I agree it's a legit move and not hot dogging.

I believe as well that a lot of goaltending is reflex, and the brain starts its work when the goalie sees the shooter’s body and stick start to move.

Having seen thousands upon thousands of shots, the brain has developed a mapping or model for where the puck is going to go based on the movements of the shooter.

For a shot like Tkachuk’s, there is less pre shot info for the goalie to rely upon

[powderjunkie]

Observation on the Dowling goal:

The 2 on 1 develops about 45 seconds into a not particularly intense shift; I'm not by any means suggesting Tkachuk was dogging it back, but I think it's fair to say that he did give up the chase a little early, and the goal was scored through patience.

It's getting a little late in the season to blame anything on missing the start of training camp, but I think it's fair to at least ask the question whether conditioning was a factor there? Replay the same scenario with Tkachuk a half-meter closer and chasing until the end - maybe Dallas still scores 8 times out of ten, maybe less...impossible to know.

Not intending to call Tkachuk out specifically, but IMO this is one of those marginal differences between championship teams and the rest...

[jonkaupp]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Yeah, but is he a top 3 player on the team?

Obviously I think so but others don't seem to.

he is *Top* player on the team imo. Gio only other one in contention but obviously because of age Tkachuk is much more important to the team overall.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Wasn’t sure where to put this. TSN with an article, a bit more about Brady mirroring Matthew early in his career.

Tre should go get him

https://www.tsn.ca/tkachuck-brothers...ates-1.1399668

To that point: the Tkachuk brothers appear to have an impact everywhere, but it’s most pronounced in the offensive zone. Whether we are looking at goal rates, shot rates, or expected goal rates, both Matthew and Brady have a substantially positive impact on the performance of their linemates on the attack.
Across the board in the three major teammate relative offensive categories, Matthew and Brady have an impact that exceeds more than 75 per cent. (Brady’s impact on teammates expected goal rates is actually in the 99th percentile; his peers here include Andrei Svechnikov, Brad Marchand, Brendan Gallagher, Connor McDavid, Jeff Skinner, Mark Stone, Sidney Crosby and Sean Couturier. I think you get the point.)
If you are an Ottawa fan here, you have to be overwhelmed with excitement. Not only does Brady appear to be a mirror image of his incredibly successful older brother in Calgary, he’s matched (or exceeded) his numbers in basically a rookie season and a fraction of a sophomore year when it comes to teammate impacts.