Tkachuk Leaves the Ice in Game 2

[Scroopy Noopers]

Okay.... nothing about Tkachuks breakaway pass to Gaudreau was “elite”.

[AustinL_NHL]

"Tkachuk Leaves the Ice in Game 2... and has never returned"

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by timbit

The lengthy 2 zone backhand pass he made to Johnny the other night, for the breakaway goal, was ELITE skill and “tools”.

Tkachuk still absolutely has the tools to be an elite winger, but much like Johnny Gaudreau, he has flaws, namely his skating and pace of play, but pair him up with the right linemates and I think you get the most out of him.

Tkachuk still does an amazing job getting the puck out of his own zone and is elite at cycling along the boards. These are things that can still make him successful, but with out the right linemates and the right style of play, I think his attributes will be wasted like they were most of this season.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Tkachuk still absolutely has the tools to be an elite winger, but much like Johnny Gaudreau, he has flaws, namely his skating and pace of play, but pair him up with the right linemates and I think you get the most out of him.

Tkachuk still does an amazing job getting the puck out of his own zone and is elite at cycling along the boards. These are things that can still make him successful, but with out the right linemates and the right style of play, I think his attributes will be wasted like they were most of this season.

Wait, what? Are we talking about “between the legs by his own boards” Matt? IMO exits are one of his least favourable assets. He was great at puck protection in the O-zone though, except not this year.

[Sandman]

I think he was producing at a decent clip before the Muzzin incident, wasn't he? I worry that the rumours of him being neutered by teammates is true-he's not playing a very rambunctious style, not drawing penalties,etc. I know Darryl wants disciplined, hard play, but it seems to go beyond that...

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Scroopy Noopers

Okay.... nothing about Tkachuks breakaway pass to Gaudreau was “elite”.

The bar has gotten extremely low hasn’t it?

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Wait, what? Are we talking about “between the legs by his own boards” Matt? IMO exits are one of his least favourable assets. He was great at puck protection in the O-zone though, except not this year.

No, the Matthew who doesn't spend much time in his own zone Tkachuk. Matthew Tkachuk is great at absorbing contact and making a good play along the board to exit the zone. That's likely why his analytical numbers are always so good. His line doesn't get hemmed in their own zone nearly as often as say Gaudreau's line. I think that's why he and Johnny Gaudreau work so well together. They both think the game at the same level and play off each other very well, but he's also able to cover up some of Gaudreau's flaws while Gaudreau can push the pace of the game and cover up some of Tkachuk's shortcomings. Ideally, if there's one winger combo that I'd keep together going into next season, it's these 2.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

No, the Matthew who doesn't spend much time in his own zone Tkachuk. Matthew Tkachuk is great at absorbing contact and making a good play along the board to exit the zone. That's likely why his analytical numbers are always so good. His line doesn't get hemmed in their own zone nearly as often as say Gaudreau's line. I think that's why he and Johnny Gaudreau work so well together. They both think the game at the same level and play off each other very well, but he's also able to cover up some of Gaudreau's flaws while Gaudreau can push the pace of the game and cover up some of Tkachuk's shortcomings. Ideally, if there's one winger combo that I'd keep together going into next season, it's these 2.

His line doesn’t get hemmed in because it has a better skating centre and (usually) Dube, who has the best wheels on the team.

Tkachuk is a nightmare in his own end IMO.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by timbit

The lengthy 2 zone backhand pass he made to Johnny the other night, for the breakaway goal, was ELITE skill and “tools”.

Sorry, I can’t agree. I’ve seen that same pass from Sven Baertschi once. Also Monahan last year. And Brodie did it on the regular, of course. It was a nice area pass.

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

His line doesn’t get hemmed in because it has a better skating centre and (usually) Dube, who has the best wheels on the team.

Tkachuk is a nightmare in his own end IMO.

Well sure, Tkachuk's not perfect in his own end. But we're still talking about a winger here, so not sure how he can be a complete nightmare in his own end. Heck, he played forever with Backlund going up against the opposition's top lines and that line usually came out smelling like daisies. I think his ability to shield the puck or take a hit to make a play along the boards helps his team exit the zone or relieve pressure, so he does his job in his own end generally speaking. His advanced stats certainly proves he isn't a complete liability in his own end.

[DeluxeMoustache]

Originally Posted by Classic_Sniper

Well sure, Tkachuk's not perfect in his own end. But we're still talking about a winger here, so not sure how he can be a complete nightmare in his own end. Heck, he played forever with Backlund going up against the opposition's top lines and that line usually came out smelling like daisies. I think his ability to shield the puck or take a hit to make a play along the boards helps his team exit the zone or relieve pressure, so he does his job in his own end generally speaking. His advanced stats certainly proves he isn't a complete liability in his own end.

If the C does all the defensive work, his advanced stats prove nothing about his ability in the D zone as it’s the C that matters

Iggy took heat for his line’s overall D, so is Tkachuk responsible for it or is his C?

[Classic_Sniper]

Originally Posted by DeluxeMoustache

If the C does all the defensive work, his advanced stats prove nothing about his ability in the D zone as it’s the C that matters

Iggy took heat for his line’s overall D, so is Tkachuk responsible for it or is his C?

The center without a doubt plays the biggest role defensively between the 3 forwards. But a winger’s ability to consistently win a one on one battle against a pinching defenseman can make a difference in a game and I think Tkachuk does this quite well. It may be subtle, but Tkachuk is very good at making a play and keeping possession rather then just getting the puck out of danger. That’s underrated aspect of Tkachuk’s game I think. Not a lot of wingers on this team excel in this regard.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Sorry, I can’t agree. I’ve seen that same pass from Sven Baertschi once. Also Monahan last year. And Brodie did it on the regular, of course. It was a nice area pass.

I think we're just not used to Flames players making nice plays on the regular.