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Tkachuk was selected by the Flames with the sixth overall pick in the 2016 NHL Entry Draft.
Matthew is the son of former 50-goal, five-time All-Star Keith, but his game is different than his dad's. But no less lethal. The younger Tkachuk is a great playmaker with good size who can play effectively in the cycle. He's also got the prototypical bottom-heavy body that makes him hard to knock out from in front of the net. Tkachuk has great hands and a heavy, heavy shot that spells trouble for opposing netminders. He also plays battering ram on the forecheck and stick-lifter on the backcheck. Tkachuk's skating has improved tremendously this season and while his first-step isn't quick, he's strong on his skates and is no longer a step back at top speed. He'll be a top-six forward a bit like Andrew Ladd or a grittier James van Riemsdyk. And who knows -- he could even develop into a Jamie Benn type. What a perfect fit alongside Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan. Hot dang.
