CALGARY FLAMES

The least heralded member of this class might also have the greatest hobby upside. At least, that’s the way Tkachuk sees it. “I don’t really think about (how) other people portray me or think of me, I know what type of player I am and I know my ceiling is way higher,” he said. “Talk about o ense or just in general, just being a di erence maker, my ceiling is way higher than what I’ve shown so I hope to show that this year. “I have to take not only a step but two steps, five steps, 10 steps forward this year if I want to become the player I want to be,” Tkachuk added. “It’s time to make a di erence and I don’t just want to be known as a certain player, I want to be a player who makes a di erence every single night.” Truth be told, Tkachuk has always been a difference maker. The feisty winger has established himself as a reliably belligerent presence, to the point that he might be the league’s most-hated player west of Brad Marchand. While hockey fans outside of Calgary are well acquainted with that element of his game, they might not realize how ridiculously skilled he is. Tkachuk potted 61 points last season, finishing just outside the top-30 in league scoring. And a few of his 23 goals were, well, McDavid-esque, like the through-the-legs buzzer beater that helped the Flames knock off the Preds in overtime. He added another showtime tweener against the Sharks late in the season. “I always tell people not to believe the stories and to just watch him,” said Tkachuk collector Brad Easter. “He’s a world-class player. I’m only worried that (the Canadian division exposure) will mean that his prices will go up and I won’t be able to afford him anymore.” Tkachuk has labeled this a “redemption season” after an injury caused him to miss most of Calgary’s abbreviated playoff run. And playing a purely North Division schedule has him pumped up. “Whenever we play a Canadian team, I always get completely fired up for it,” Tkachuk said. “Every game is a huge game, kind of a rivalry game. You talk to anybody, there is always a little extra juice when you play a Canadian team. So to have all the games played against Canadian teams … wow.” After scoring Calgary’s first goal of the season in their opener against the Jets, it looks like he’s ready for the challenge.

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