How does Matthew Tkachuk reach a new level?

[DeluxeMoustache]

Obvious answer is that the Flames need to get him a jersey with Avangard technology

The symbol on the front adds 70 points to speed and the G drive shoulder straps add 100 points to power

/thread

[EVERLAST]

Tkachuk needs very little change.
When this team decides they don't need Matthew alone to drag them into games snd he gets that monkey off his back maybe we will see more production.

He sure as hell aint a bully.

Doesn't need to become one either.

If he continues his Perryesque style play of drawing more than the average penalties and scores timely goals im damn happy.

What he accomplished this year was pretty impressive considering the year it was .

If we put him and Lindholm together I think we see something different in both of them....add Dube or Eat bread to the equation now you have a line .

Don't change Matty....the team around him needs to change the mentality IF we ever wanna talk success.

I'd love some more players who had his level of compete.....lets bring in his Brother or answer my prayers to the hockey gods ....Jack Eichel o lord...

[Rick M.]

I still think he can improve his skating. That would move his game Up a level.

[Enoch Root]

Tkachuk is doing just about all that can be expected and hoped for, with Backlund and Mangiapane as his line-mates. In order for him to take it to the next level and be a consistent point per game player, he needs to have better line-mates.

[CalgaryFan1988]

Originally Posted by Finger Cookin

Oh are we starting the Tkachuk isn't a "true"/"generational"/"bona-fide" top line LW now? Cool.

Are you saying that you believe that Tkachuk is a true, generational, bonafide, top Lwer now?


As others have mentioned, Tkachuk needs to work on his skating and getting stronger. I believe he realizes these weaknesses and as he ages, he will get better at both.

[CliffFletcher]

Originally Posted by Flash Walken

Better linemates

Yeah, I think Tkachuk could be a regular top-20 scorer in the league if he played with an elite centre.

[Joborule]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

Yeah, I think Tkachuk could be a regular top-20 scorer in the league if he played with an elite centre.

Even if it wasn't an elite centre, but an effective one who's a playmaker, or having a winger that's a playmaker (Gaudreau) could yield some high output.

If Johnny is around next season, having him and Gaudreau on a line together should be strongly considered.

[boogerz]

The real problem on the second line is that gaping hole on RW that's been in need of an upgrade for years. Frolik was never the right solution and Mangiapane isn't either... no offense to either of those guys (pun intended).



We'll see Tkachuk take his game to another level when both him and Backlund no longer have to carry both a no-name stopgap RWer on their line and all the hard defensive match-ups.

[Swayze11]

I see Tkachuk becoming the next Jamie Benn. If he can have a similar career, I would be pretty happy.

[activeStick]

Tkachuk has extremely high hockey IQ and has proven production with his skating in the NHL after only 3 seasons. Other than improving his skating, I don't see any other part of his game that needs significant improvement. Flames need to do everything they can to keep him with the team longterm and eventually name him captain.

[Cycling76er]

Skating. He looks like an awkward peewee kid out there. He makes enough money to pay for coaching in the off season. If he really wanted to improve, he could. Even if it's just a little bit. Doesn't need to be night and day but it could be better and it could help him elevate his game.

[djsFlames]

Don't be fooled, he didn't get on the scoreboard much but Tkachuk had his fingerprints all over their success right up until he was taken out, and him going down had a lot to do with the turn in overall momentum of play.

It's a blow to the teams spirit. You immediately lose a handful of advantages you would draw with him in, the other team is a lot less bothered to be playing you, and he galvanizes the bench with his energy. Not to mention the Flames slot a lot less favorably without him in. He got the guys to go to war vs winnipeg and game one against Dallas.

Series might have had a pretty different complexion if he stayed healthy for it.

[Rick M.]

Originally Posted by Cycling76er

Skating. He looks like an awkward peewee kid out there. He makes enough money to pay for coaching in the off season. If he really wanted to improve, he could. Even if it's just a little bit. Doesn't need to be night and day but it could be better and it could help him elevate his game.

Look at how much Draisaitl improved his skating. It’s possible.

[rogermexico]

For me the best Tkachuk comparable in the league right now is Gabe Landeskog. Plays a mean power game, clear leader of his team, great player on his own, becomes elite when paired with dynamic talent.

I'm not saying that the solution for Tkachuk to get to the next level is to go and get Nathan Mackinnon to play with him. But I think that Landeskog is a good example of how Tkachuk ideally fits on a team that's got all the boxes ticked in terms of talent in the right roster spots.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Look at how much Draisaitl improved his skating. It’s possible.

It is clearly not realistically possible for everyone. If it were, then no one in the NHL would struggle with foot-speed like Tkachuk. Some players are poor skaters—that's just how it is.

Sent from my SM-G960W using Tapatalk

[browna]

To take the next step offensively, he has to find offensive chemistry with a linemate or linemates.

Obviously had something to start his career with Frolik and Backlund. But the last third of the last season, Frolik and him and Backlund had truly terrible stats, especially for a NHL level second line scoring line, though Tkachuk was out for a handful of games with injuries. Playoff that line was on for 3 of the GWG against the Avs, and terrible offensively.

Backlund is fine as a placeholder, but Backlund probably plays the same level with others on his line.

But, MT doesn't look like anyone else on this team he especially clicks with. The first line PP sure but that's a different scenario and role obviously.

So,if that player isn't on the roster, you hope the Flames get a player he can click with, because the Flames need two legit scoring lines to get anywhere.

[d_phaneuf]

Originally Posted by Rick M.

Look at how much Draisaitl improved his skating. It’s possible.

Horvat too

Strides can be fixed I'd be surprised if he wasn't working with a skating coach every summer tkachuk looks like a better skater now than his rookie year, I'd expect it to keep improving