DEADLINE LOOMS AS TKACHUK PLOTS COURSE TO THE PROS
Sunday looms as decision day for Brady Tkachuk.
The Ottawa Senators’ fourth overall selection in June’s NHL draft has circled that day on his calendar for making the pivotal call on whether to sign a pro contract or return to Boston University for another season.
When Tkachuk left Ottawa five weeks ago, he was riding high. Tkachuk and Parker Kelly were named co-winners of the Jonathan Pitre Memorial Trophy as the hardest workers at development camp, a positive sign for an organization that desperately needed a jolt of enthusiasm and optimism to counter the stream of summer negatives.
Yet while the team wants him to begin his pro career as soon as possible, Tkachuk acknowledged at last week’s world junior showcase in Kamloops, B.C. — as expected, he was an offensive and physical presence for the United States — that there is plenty of stress involved.
Among the questions in the air: Is Tkachuk, who turns 19 on Sept. 16, strong enough to compete every night against NHL veterans?
Given the uncertain state of the Senators franchise, could the lofty expectations of being a star immediately weigh him down?
In what is shaping up as year full of potential distractions — Erik Karlsson, Mark Stone and Matt Duchene are all pending unrestricted free agents next summer — is that a healthy environment for a teenager?
If Tkachuk opts to leave college, is he prepared to play with either Belleville of the American Hockey League or London in the Ontario Hockey League if he’s not quite ready for the big leagues?
Would a second season proving himself in college, often playing against 22- and 23-year-olds, improve his scoring confidence and give him more leadership opportunities?
Tkachuk has said all along that he would listen closely to family, including father Keith, who had 1,065 points in 1,201 NHL games, and 20-year-old brother Matthew, who has blossomed in his first two seasons with the Calgary Flames, before making his decision. The Tkachuk brothers have spent the last month working out together in Toronto under the watchful eye of former NHL star Gary Roberts.
For what it’s worth, Tkachuk is currently listed on the Boston University roster for the 2018-19 season.
“He has a good situation at (Boston University),” said Craig Button, TSN’s director of scouting, who has closely watched Tkachuk’s development during the last several years. “Some kids don’t have that many options. In that respect, he’s in a good spot. But if he does sign, it has to be because he really believes he can make the Senators. Many players jump too soon, but I’ve never seen one that waits too long.”
In Button’s estimation, Tkachuk has room to grow into his six-foot-three, 196-pound frame.
“The biggest thing for Brady is he needs more physical maturity to become more of a force,” he said. “He has high-end talent, excellent skill and his will to compete is high, high, high. But he’s not as physically mature as his brother was at the same age.”
If Tkachuk opts to sign with the Senators, but doesn’t remain long term — perhaps, like many high draft picks on the cusp of playing in the NHL, he would receive a 10-game trial once the regular season begins — Button believes the best option would be to play with London, which holds his OHL rights and where Matthew played for one season.
The size, strength and skill of players in the AHL is often underestimated by junior-aged players and Button doesn’t see the benefit of Tkachuk playing in Belleville.
“If he has it in his head to sign a contract, the soft landing is with (Dale) Hunter in London,” he said. “Hunter has a proven track record in developing players. If he’s not ready to play in the NHL at 19, he’s not ready to play in the AHL.”
While there remain so many landing spots for Tkachuk, he is on track to be a leader for the U.S. at the world junior tournament.
If he ends up at Boston University, London or Belleville, chances are he will be in the lineup for the tournament being played in Vancouver and Victoria.
Even if Tkachuk is playing for the Senators next season, it’s possible he could be loaned to the U.S. for the tournament. Back in 2014, the Senators loaned former first-round pick Curtis Lazar to the Canadian world junior team, where he served as captain.
“It’s special to wear the ‘C’ wherever you are at, whatever team you’re on,” Tkachuk told NHL.com last week. “To wear the ‘C’ to represent your country would be pretty cool and an honour if it happened.”