NHL Prospect Profile: Brady Tkachuk

Statistics

Scout Quotes

Tkachuk has the potential to be a top line winger at the NHL level. He will need to continue to work on his skating, especially his explosiveness. Do not be surprised if he spends next season back at Boston University, as he could use some time before being NHL ready. – Last Word on Hockey

Brady, whose father Keith was one of the NHL’s top snipers of the 1990s, is a relentless puck hound with decent speed and a long, smooth stride. His agility and exceptional stick-handling buy him more than enough time and space to create for his linemates. And although his zone entries are controlled and calculated, he has mastered the art of the soft dump-in and chase — Tkachuk has a long reach and finishes his checks with authority, and defenders appear weary to turn their backs for puck retrieval. Additionally, he is deadly from in close, using an array of moves and dekes to bury the puck. Want to talk hybrid? How about a a physical, 200-foot winger with size who doubles as a top-line playmaker and is an outstanding penalty killer. – The Draft Analyst

AJ’s Thoughts

Most everyone already is familiar with Tkachuk so I’ll keep this pretty brief. He’s a big-time power forward who is great in all three zones. He plays with a physical edge and has high-end offensive upside. He’s very good defensively as well and plays a punishing game for those who try to get uppity with him. He very much takes after his dad and brother and should be an impact NHL player sooner than later. He may return to BU for one more year but it won’t extend beyond that. Outside of cleaning up some of his skating, he is ready to make the jump today.

Highlights

Avalanche Fit

Colorado desperately needs what Tkachuk brings to the table and had Colorado been able to get the fourth pick from Ottawa he would have been the easy selection.

Rankings

#3 Hockey Prospect
#4 Future Considerations
#4 McKeen’s Hockey