Matthew Tkachuk, Does he make the team.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by Isikiz

I don't think they're meaningless labels. I think there's value to labeling someone as a complimentary player - i.e. not a driver of the line, but significantly benefits from having a driver on their line (someone like Gaudreau). I was thinking along the lines of Anson Carter with the Sedins, or Cheechoo with Thornton - but I guess no one would consider them elite, though they definitely were effective offensively during the time.

I was just trying to think of current-day comparables of complimentary players to compare them to Tkachuk.

If he could reach a talent:####### ratio similar to that of Brad Marchand, that would be nice.

[Gaudreauvertime]

Corey Perry is an obvious comparison that I've always liked.

Another stylistic comparison could be Patrick Maroon, though Tkachuk has much better athleticism, a better shot, is feistier, and is just more talented in general. But they've both got a PF frame, smooth hands, and see the ice well. Maroon seemed to do wonders for McDavid.

[red sky]

If you have to qualify all the ways Maroon is different I would argue the comparison isn't really close.

Honestly, there are not many players of his style in this era. He is more of an old school player akin to JR, his dad, Leclair, etc.

[Crumpy-Gunt]

What I see in Tkachuk is a kid who already possesses an NHL shot, high hockey IQ and incredible vision. It is fair to call him a complimentary player if that means someone who doesnt drive the play.

I am most excited about the idea of him as our 1st line RW. As nice as he would look on a line with Sam&Bro, I think the idea of him with Johnny and Sean is way more interesting. I say that because he knows how to play with top players. He went from Auston Matthews to Marner/Dvorak. The role he played on the top line in London is EXACTLY the type of player we need on our top line. He creates space, goes to the net, digs the puck out of the corners and he also has a bomb of a one time shot from the right dot.

I see him staying up with the Flames all year but I'm interested to see what we do with the top line.

Would you prefer

A) Gaudreau - Monahan - Brouwer
Tkachuk - Bennett - Ferland

B) Gaudreau - Monahan - Tkachuk
Shinkaruk - Bennett - Brouwer



On paper..I prefer B simply because it is more balanced.

[polak]

I prefer no Ferland anywhere near the top 6.

[Geeoff]

I think Tkachuk will make the team based on the fact that we are throwing around names like Ferland and Chaisson to play in the top 6. I think he will be here because we have no better options.

[Vinny01]

This team is still fairly weak at the wing position. Our 3 best wingers are paired with a different centre to spread things out to a good top 9. Gaudreau with Monahan, Brouwer with Bennett, and Frolik with Backlund. After that it gets very scary in terms of quality depth on the wing. Ferland, Bouma, Chaisson. Tkachuk has the size, IQ, and skill to hang in this league and building chemistry with Bennett now is a smart move. I think he makes the team night 1 but am not fully convinced they keep him beyond 9 games

[Crumpy-Gunt]

Originally Posted by polak

I prefer no Ferland anywhere near the top 6.

Technically the Backlund Frolik line is our 2nd line so he wouldnt be in the top 6. I've listed the 2 lines that Tkachuk likely plays on. Cant see him on our shutdown line playing defensive zone starts against the leagues top forwards in his rookie season
Personally Im not opposed to Ferland out there in the middle 6. I think he can offer more offensively than he showed last season.

Does anyone think we will actually have 3 somewhat balanced lines this season? I think we will start with that idea and then move Brouwer to the 1st line, play backlund-frolik 2nd most and then give the offensive zone scraps to some kind of a kid line probably involving bennett tkachuk, + ferland or shinkaruk. It just makes way way more sense in terms of minutes, off/def zone starts and quality of competition.

Monny Johnny and Brouwer play against the other teams best d-men (obviously). lots of minutes + PP
Backlund and Frolik play against the other teams best forwards and get d-zone starts. Lots of minutes + PK
Tkachuk and Bennett play against the other teams worst and get mostly offensive zone starts. less minutes + PP2

[saillias]

Right now yeah.

Training camp and pre-season has been pretty disappointing IMO for prospects and PTOs. Like Wills pointed out on the Fan this morning, Tkachuk's been the team's best LW to this point.

[442scotty]

i would think you like to see at least a couple of kids graduate each each to the big club . I'm sure they will squeeze him in if he continues to improve. I would like to see him for at least 9 games... See a big league snipe or two not just stand in the crease rebound goals ...

[Reggie Dunlop]

He doesn't look out of place. Gets better every game. I think he aces the 9 game regular season audition and sticks. Sticks and makes a positive contribution.

[Street Pharmacist]

I didn't think he was impressive at penticton, but then that's always been the worst place to identify talent

[Alpine Fisher]

Does Tkachuk win the Calder Trophy this year?

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Street Pharmacist

I didn't think he was impressive at penticton, but then that's always been the worst place to identify talent

What? How was he not impressive in Penticton? I thought he was the most impressive player in the games I saw

[GreenLantern2814]

He's staying. Tkachuk-Bennett-Brouwer will only be counted on to be the 3rd line to start the year. There's not as big a need to shelter him like they did with Monahan since he's not a centre.

If Bennett is able to take the next step when bullets start flying for real, that trio could be the 2nd line by Christmas.

[Reggie Dunlop]

Totally sold on the kid.

He brings it.

[Lil Pedro]

Will make the team

[Galakanokis]

Can't remember if I posted in this thread or not but my first reaction was he gets his 9 games and back to junior. But now, I'm leaning towards him sticking out the year. He brings something the Flames need and he really rounds out that line and makes the roster a little more complete.

[JurassicTunga12]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

What? How was he not impressive in Penticton? I thought he was the most impressive player in the games I saw

Agreed. In the first two games, I thought he was the best player on the ice out of all 4 teams.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

What? How was he not impressive in Penticton? I thought he was the most impressive player in the games I saw

I think his point stands that Penticton is a terrible place to gauge talent and potential.