Flames' Rookie Matthew Tkachuk Can Be NHL's Next Great Villain

[Phil]

But Calgary Flames rookie forward Matthew Tkachuk is emerging as a young player who isn?t afraid to take on that role early in his career. Much like his father, former NHL great Keith Tkachuk, the younger Tkachuk is a skilled player who plays with a hearty amount of nastiness in his game.

 

The 19-year-old winger has carried his weight in a top six role with the Flames, playing alongside Mikael Backlund and Michael Frolik in what has been an outstanding line. With 13 goals and 46 points, Tkachuk has established himself as a good NHL player.

 

He?s also established himself as kind of a jerk.

 

Hockey is one of those sports where guys love to talk about ?the code? and police respect, especially with young players. Newcomers need to earn their stripes, respect their elders and pay dues until they?ve got a fair amount of experience under their belt.

 

That?s not something that appears to overly concern Tkachuk, who hasn?t been hesitant to mix it up with veterans, and occasionally mess with them, too.

 

http://www.foxsports.com/nhl/story/flames-matthew-tkachuk-can-be-the-nhls-next-great-villain-033017

 

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For more visual evidence of his awesomeness, check out the article. Plenty of GIFS and videos in there to keep you entertained.

 

I love this kid. It's so great to see a villain developing like this in a game where animosity and agitation have been largely lost to speed and skill.

 

In two games Kings/Flames just became must-watch TV next season.

[fletch]

Saw how he was taunting the Kings... not sure how his act is going to play out.

[ThirtyONE]

He owns Drew Doughty. That's for sure. Love this kid.

[Kevin]

That's great. This is the kind of thing that might spill over into international comps too.

[LONG LONG LONG TIME FAN]

NYR never seem to come up with a player such as this. Much like his father.

[phillyb]

Love him. Wached the Kings/Flames game the other night just so I could see the Doughty elbow follow up.