Matthew Tkachuk and the 9 games

[rumy]

Originally Posted by getbak

That's not how it works. For triggering the first year of the player's ELC, it's actual games played that matters, but for determining an accrued season towards early UFA status, it's the number of games spent on the team's active roster that matters (whether the player actually played in those games or not).

Because Bennett was injured during training camp, he started the season with "Injured Non-roster" status, so he wasn't considered to be on the Flames active roster during that time.


After tonight, Tkachuk will have 8 games played, but 10 accrued games on the Flames active roster. 10 games played will trigger the first year of his ELC. 40 games on the active roster will count as an accrued season towards his UFA status.

Too much accounting

[rumy]

Originally Posted by JohnnyTitan

I'm confident the Flames management will make the right call and I could be convinced either way...but the more I think about it and read the thoughts in this thread I'm leaning towards keeping him up. Won't repeat other's thoughts..they are all good. Two additional points not discussed.
1) Doing the right thing. This was discussed around other Flames personnel decisions but not so much here. Not only Tkatchuk himself...but every other prospect and UFA in the future. If you say there's an opportunity and said individual does everything they can to seize that opportunity and you send him back just for contract considerations it leaves a bad taste in people's mouths. Little picture economics should not cloud big-picture / long-term reputation.
2) Staggering the rooks. We are blowing out some bad contracts next year and fully expect 2-3 AHLers to take spots. Do you want a "Rookie" Tkatchuk and a "Rookie" Jankowski along with another AHL forward and two AHL defenders all coming on-line in 2017? To join an already young core? My feeling is we'll have enough exciting young players to "Learn-The-Ropes" next year...no reason to defer Tkachuk's education in a year where there is still a lot of good veteran presence.

Love it or hate it...I know one of or both Bennett and Tkachuk will, by necessity, be getting bridge deals. I agree with the poster who talked about cap management in the future...there is no crystal ball...do what's right now. As long as you're committing to the right players.

2 really good points. Hadn't even thought about point #2. My vote was to keep him up prior to hearing these 2 points. This further solidified my stance.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by polak

The sending him down camp seems to think that sending someone down is always going to make them better and can't hurt their development.

Burke and Treliving have said exactly that. They may be right or wrong, but since they're the ones running the team...

[polak]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Burke and Treliving have said exactly that. They may be right or wrong, but since they're the ones running the team...

We can still disagree as fans, in the end it just doesn't matter.

[midniteowl]

Tkachuk's ninth game, he gonna score a Gordie Howe hat trick to make it interesting for the coaching staff.

[renny]

I don't think that more marinating is a bad thing, look at franchises like Detroit who always make keep their guys down for a long time. They seem to be alright at developing talent.

[H2SO4(aq)]

Detroit brought Dylan Larkin along pretty quickly and if I'm not mistaken he is AHL eligible. Sometimes guys are just ready. I don't think tkachuk will benefit from more marination..

[Alpine Fisher]

I like players that are over seasoned. Kinda like A&W meats.

[Kipper_3434]

Not sure if it's been mentioned but I personally love the idea of Tkachuk playing regularly on the backlund line. I think Frolik and Backlund are wonderful players but they both have muffin shots, and while they do play the body they aren't exactly over powering when driving to the net. I think Tkachuk compliments the guys well with his offensive skills and grit, while he does make the odd "junior play". I think these two vets are the perfect guys to learn from and he could end up being a better player than either one. Though he probably won't become as good a skater or defensive force. I'd also go as far to say that he brings more to that line than either Ferland or Bouma right now.

[Alpine Fisher]

Well, it looks like he just got a concussion

[MarkGio]

The Flames are a tire fire. I'm not sure Tkachuk should be around that. We will need that winning spark next season, when he's playing like a 20g scorer. This yeah is about overinflating Wiseman, Engelland, Stajan and Grossman with hopes getting some good trade pieces for them.

Then add some Patrick Nolan and this is a good club.

[Ashasx]

Don't burn a year. Send him down.

[Nabber]

Yeah send him down. Don't get me wrong he's played great for being a rookie, however having one more year to develop a little more offence IMO will be better for the long term growth of Tkachuk. He is fearless which is a good thing however going against the strongest players in the world for an entire year at 18 years old is extremely difficult and could leave him open to injury.

[Clarkey]

Pinder had a good point, who's better on the farm?

[Ashasx]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

Pinder had a good point, who's better on the farm?

The Flames need to think about competing long-term. Just because Tkachuk is better than what we have doesn't mean he should stay up. It just means what we have is junk.

[I wanna be like Miikka]

Send him down, let him gain some weight and play big minutes in the OHL rather then be around this tire fire team. If things turn around maybe you bring him back up in 40 games or so but otherwise I don't think it hurts his development to give him another year of junior and save a year on his ELC.

[GranteedEV]

There is no way you can send him down. Absolutely none. He is simply too good for Junior. While he does make some inexperienced mistakes, he has also shown better defensive zone instincts and awareness than arguably any winger on our roster. He needs to spend the whole year up here in the NHL, I think by the start of his second year he will be a premier two-way winger. You are just ######ing his development sending him down.

[Samonadreau]

Ya keep him up.

[LockedOut]

Originally Posted by I wanna be like Miikka

Send him down, let him gain some weight and play big minutes in the OHL rather then be around this tire fire team. If things turn around maybe you bring him back up in 40 games or so but otherwise I don't think it hurts his development to give him another year of junior and save a year on his ELC.

If you send him down you can't bring him back up until their season is over. There is enough on the farm where they won't have an excuse to use the emergency clause.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by Clarkey

Pinder had a good point, who's better on the farm?

Klimchuck deserves a shot soon