GDT: Penguins at Flames. Mar 13 at 7pm MT on SNW

[Anglesmith]

Tkachuk had a few ten-bell chances last night and just couldn't finish.

 

[Kahvi]

Tkachuk had a few ten-bell chances last night and just couldn't finish.

One of those was because his stick broke

 

[BVicious]

One of those was because his stick broke

He's going to need better sticks if he wants to STICK in this league. He won't if he keeps BUSTing them.

 

[Mr Snrub]

He's going to need better sticks if he wants to STICK in this league. He won't if he keeps BUSTing them.

Really the only reason he was successful in junior was that his linemates had good sticks

 

[Tofveve]

I've been pretty clear on how much I love Tkachuk, I don't think he played bad last night either. But man, what a good experience for him to see what the NHL is all about and where he needs to be. Man he is going to be special.

What sort of player would you compare him to? What's your projection?

 

[Lunatik]

What sort of player would you compare him to? What's your projection?

His daddy, but with less PIMs and points due to the eras they play in

 

[Mr Snrub]

His daddy, but with less PIMs and points due to the eras they play in

They play decently different games, Matt is so much more of a playmaker than Keith.

I'm really curious how Brady turns out.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

What sort of player would you compare him to? What's your projection?

It's really tough, in todays NHL, prime Perry is probably the closest. But Tkachuk has way more skill and softer hands IMO. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if he had a better career than Bertuzzi did and played a very similar game. Guys with that size, that can muck it up, score, pass, and have hands like butter, are basically like unicorns. I can't think of another player exactly like Tkachuk (or even really close to) in the NHL. If he can improve his skating, he's going to be unstoppable like Lindros was.

 

[Mr Snrub]

It's really tough, in todays NHL, prime Perry is probably the closest. But Tkachuk has way more skill and softer hands IMO. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if he had a better career than Bertuzzi did and played a very similar game. Guys with that size, that can muck it up, score, pass, and have hands like butter, are basically like unicorns. I can't think of another exact like Tkachuk player in the NHL. If he can improve his skating, he's going to be unstoppable like Lindros was.

He's like Perry, but an even more effective pest, with a better hockey IQ, more of a playmaker, and great defensive instincts.

So basically the perfect hockey player.

 

[Ace Rimmer]

It's really tough, in todays NHL, prime Perry is probably the closest. But Tkachuk has way more skill and softer hands IMO. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if he had a better career than Bertuzzi did and played a very similar game. Guys with that size, that can muck it up, score, pass, and have hands like butter, are basically like unicorns. I can't think of another player exactly like Tkachuk (or even really close to) in the NHL. If he can improve his skating, he's going to be unstoppable like Lindros was.

Bertuzzi is who I was thinking of as well.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

Bertuzzi is who I was thinking of as well.

I've compared Ferland to Bert as well, while I don't hate that, he doesn't have that upside. But Ferland is another big guy that can skate (and Bertuzzi could) and has soft hands and skill. Tkachuk is just on another level and has a real chance to have that type of career, possibly better.

 

[InfinityIggy]

What sort of player would you compare him to? What's your projection?

I think he will be very comparable to Perry. I also see him as being a fair bit like Marchand.

 

[Mobiandi]

In lieu of his goal, Johnny got his own TSN top 10

http://www.tsn.ca/video/top-10-johnny-gaudreau-moments~1077748

 

[Anglesmith]

In lieu of his goal, Johnny got his own TSN top 10

http://www.tsn.ca/video/top-10-johnny-gaudreau-moments~1077748

I don't think "in lieu" means what you think it means.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

I don't think "in lieu" means what you think it means.

Yep, I think he means "in light".

 

[Unlimited Chequing]

I don't think "in lieu" means what you think it means.

 

[Dack]

In lieu of his goal, Johnny got his own TSN top 10

http://www.tsn.ca/video/top-10-johnny-gaudreau-moments~1077748

I get goosebumps watching #1.

 

[Mobiandi]

That was a poor case of autocorrect

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

That was a poor case of autocorrect

Is that what those rapper fellas use?

 

[1989]

I get goosebumps watching #1.

Watching the close-up replay, you can see how aware he is of what the situation that's developing in front of him actually looks like.

Time's ticking down. There's about 25 seconds, counting down, he's still making his way up the right wall. 23 seconds, he stops and takes it all in - mostly instinctively in a way you or I don't see the game.

It's split-second decision making, because there's a tell: he draws a deep breath, short, but you can see his cheeks puff out.
Basically, it says to me, "oh man, I don't think there's a play here," and we all know how Gaudreau likes to pass to the open side if he sees it.

Instead, in that moment, he elects to take the shot; skates in 5, 6 feet to the left looking for the opening before he wires it up and over on Andersen's short side. 20 seconds left in the game. Every move processed and executed in essentially 5 seconds of play.

Just brilliant.

 

[flames23]

Watching the close-up replay, you can see how aware he is of what the situation that's developing in front of him actually looks like.

Time's ticking down. There's about 25 seconds, counting down, he's still making his way up the right wall. 23 seconds, he stops and takes it all in - mostly instinctively in a way you or I don't see the game.

It's split-second decision making, because there's a tell: he draws a deep breath, short, but you can see his cheeks puff out.
Basically, it says to me, "oh man, I don't think there's a play here," and we all know how Gaudreau likes to pass to the open side if he sees it.

Instead, in that moment, he elects to take the shot; skates in 5, 6 feet to the left looking for the opening before he wires it up and over on Andersen's short side. 20 seconds left in the game. Every move processed and executed in essentially 5 seconds of play.

Just brilliant.

Haha, just saw this top 10 list (I instinctively hit record on my remote when I heard they were doing one) and was thinking about the puffed out cheeks moment as well.
What a great memory that was.

As far as this GDT is concerned, I just powered my way through 26 pages front to back to relive what was one of the most intense regular season games I can remember (the last one that was close, but for a different reason was the one vs the Kings a few years ago to either get us into the playoffs officially, or very close).

You guys are great, I don't post often, but creep often.

Diehard through and through. The Boston game will be very difficult I think, but we get Khudobin, not Rask. Now that I've said that he'll channel a prime Nabokov and it'll be a tough night, but still a better shot than Rask gives you night over night.

 

[Tofveve]

It's really tough, in todays NHL, prime Perry is probably the closest. But Tkachuk has way more skill and softer hands IMO. Honestly I wouldn't be surprised if he had a better career than Bertuzzi did and played a very similar game. Guys with that size, that can muck it up, score, pass, and have hands like butter, are basically like unicorns. I can't think of another player exactly like Tkachuk (or even really close to) in the NHL. If he can improve his skating, he's going to be unstoppable like Lindros was.

Wow, prime Perry? That's some high praise. I'm not sure he'll attain that lofty standard, but, heck, I have to keep reminding myself he's still a rookie.

Thanks for all the other responses to that question by many others.

I'm not sure he has the soft hands of a Bertuzzi, nor the speed, and if you asked me Todd's career was hampered by other issues (as we all know).

I see some similarities with his dad. I doubt he'll get to that stature though.

What about Gary Roberts? So far less fighting, but that's down league-wide.

I feel I'm selling Matthew short when I think of his career potential/upside.

I see some comparable traits to Roberts; maybe an Andreychuk and Arnott too. I can't think of any other similar players.

 

[Tofveve]

In lieu of his goal, Johnny got his own TSN top 10

http://www.tsn.ca/video/top-10-johnny-gaudreau-moments~1077748

They missed the pass through the air to Monahan. Not his best top 10 IMO, but at least they're acknowledging him.

 

[Volica]

What about Gary Roberts? So far less fighting, but that's down league-wide.

I feel I'm selling Matthew short when I think of his career potential/upside.

I see some comparable traits to Roberts; maybe an Andreychuk and Arnott too. I can't think of any other similar players.

I think people are having a hard time finding a good comparable to Chucky because he's very much a different animal than the regular stars of the league. There aren't a lot of guys who can physically get people involved like he can; but also have all the tools of a top offensive player.

It's a dying breed that he's sort of taking back. It'll actually be interesting to see how he progresses, teams are not employing players to deal with guys like Chucky anymore; I feel when he gets to 23, he's not only going to put up numbers, he's going to bully other teams.

 

[Mobiandi]

I thought his hattrick against LA should've made it in. Turned around our whole season.

And speaking of #1, I wish Gaudreau had that shoot-first mentality more often. He might not have the best shot but he's often found himself in amazing scoring positions and attempted to play the perfect pass when he could've just shot it