Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames_F.T.W
I'm hoping Tkachuk played through something because he wasn't very good
|
I don't think Tkachuk was hurt at all. Everyone was convinced he was injured prior to game 7 vs DAL and then he exploded for a goal and then a hat trick in game 1 vs the Oilers, then disappeared.
I think after watching Tkachuk regular season vs the playoffs, I think it's safe to say there's very much an appreciable difference between the 2. The theory I had throughout the playoffs was that physically, Tkachuk just doesn't measure up in the post season.
In the playoffs, size and speed seems to be magnified. Dallas played big and Tkachuk was too undersized to power forward his way through the tough, heavy Dallas roster. Then the Flames moved on to play the Oilers who are built the exact opposite of the Stars, small, skilled, fast and Tkachuk suddenly couldn't keep up with the pace of play because of his poor skating.
It's tough for me to say because I'm a fan of Tkachuk and the top line, but we've seen a lot of Tkachuk in the playoffs and he's been very underwhelming. I thought this postseason would be different because of his new line, but that was no help. Thought Tkachuk's line was the best in 2020, but I think it's pretty obvious by now that it was mostly Backlund and Mangiapane carrying Tkachuk.
So, I don't know. I wouldn't mind Tkachuk back. But the fear of paying him $10M+ because he's a "Tkachuk" and they don't take discounts has me anxious that he could be a perennial playoff disappointment for the rest of his career.