The Arizona Coyotes stood pat in the NHL Draft Lottery and will pick 7th. Matthew Tkachuk is a left winger for the OHL’s London Knights and a potential draft candidate for the Coyotes front office.
Howlin’ Hockey is evaluating possible Arizona Coyotes draft options for their two first round picks this NHL draft, which are situated 7th and 20th overall.
This edition of draft evaluations features one of the best forward prospects of this year’s draft, ranking as the #2 overall prospect in North America according to NHL Central Scouting and the #5 overall prospect according to hockeyprospect.com.
Tkachuk’s last name is pronounced, ‘Ka-chuk”.
Physical Make Up
Matthew Tkachuk sizes up at 6 foot, 1 inch and weighs somewhere around 190-195 pounds. He was born in the hockey hotbed of Scottsdale, Arizona (yes, 2 top-10 draft picks will be from Arizona this year) and he plays for the United States in international hockey play.
He was born on December 11th, 1997, making him only 18 years old.
Junior Hockey Stats, Trends and Other Insights
In his only season in London (Ontario), Tkachuk racked up an astonishing 107 point campaign, 30 goals and 77 assists over just 57 games. In the OHL playoffs, he’s also put together a 40-point campaign.
Tkachuk is going to be an elite forward in the National Hockey League for a very long time.
He has an undeniable nose for the net, can make space when none seems present and best of all, has the hand and foot skills to outmaneuver some of the best defensive prospects in the OHL. He also has a knack for mixing things up, similar to the skill and feistiness of current Arizona Coyotes forward Max Domi.
Tkachuk is also a bargain draft pick.
For a player that put up the offensive numbers and possesses the skills he does, you would expect him to go 1st overall most years. But this year, fellow Arizonan Auston Matthews and Finnish stud Patrik Laine sit atop the draft boards much in the way Connor McDavid and Jack Eichel were.
So Tkachuk is often forgotten in conversations about top forward options in this draft and will be a steal for whoever lands him.
To give some visual understanding of what this kid has in store, here is his recent World Junior Championships highlights:
Some other commentary and scouting on Tkachuk’s game from professional analysts include:
"“Smart, creative and hard-working, Tkachuk has been locked in at No. 4 in the draft rankings by scouts, behind Matthews, Laine and Puljujarvi…what more can be said about Tkachuk? The kid just keeps churning out highlight-reel goals and just to mix it up, he has practically perfected the tip-in at the top of the crease. When you’re big, talented and smart, you can do that.” – Ryan Kennedy, The Hockey News"
"“A multi-dimensional energy winger that plays a pro-style, adaptive game. Well-versed as a guy who can consistently put up points, but also as an agitator who plays with a little bit of bite and nastiness. Skates with excellent balance and speed, outclassing many in his age range. No lack of offensive instincts and knows how to score in many different ways. Confidence in his abilities and playing to the extent of his capabilities strengthens his work ethic and creativity.” – Curtis Joe, Elite Prospects"
"“Matthew, son of former NHLer Keith Tkachuk, is a strong winger who plays a solid all-around game. He utilizes impressive smarts and senses to be in proper position and his dogged work ethic to capitalize on those chances. Has some quick, creative hands and a dangerous shot. Plays the game with high levels of grit and sandpaper, getting his nose dirty almost every shift. Drives the net and is relentless in the corners.” – Future Considerations"
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Most Comparable NHL Player: Keith Tkachuk
Like father, like son.
Matthew is much like Keith in that they enjoy a high level of skill only matched by a strong physical presence and ability to mix it up with an opponent. Both are considered stereotypical power forwards, who can rush the net and have strong wrist shots.
On top of that, nobody would mix it up with Keith Tkachuk unless you were ready for good fight. I would expect the same temperament from his son.
I guess the apple really doesn’t fall far from the tree.
How Tkachuk fits in with Arizona Coyotes
Tkachuk is much like current OHL teammate Olli Juolevi in that he plays with Arizona Coyotes prospect Christian Dvorak on the Knights’ top line.
In the modern NHL, chemistry is a big deal. So bringing in a top forward prospect with established chemistry to current roster players is an advantage that few teams can outright capitalize on.
Should Arizona tab Tkachuk as their first round pick, expect to see Tkachuk and Domi paired together in the future.
Likelihood of Tkachuk Being Drafted By Arizona Coyotes: B
If Tkachuk is still around when the Coyotes pick at the 7th overall spot, I really can not see them passing up on drafting the franchises’ first captain’s son and Arizona native, not to mention the pure talent the team would acquire.
Next: Coyotes Should Draft Jakob Chychrun 7th Overall
However, it is reasonable to mention that should both Tkachuk and a top-tier defenseman, such as Olli Juolevi or Mikhail Sergachyov, still be on the table when the team’s chance to draft comes around Tkachuk may be left waiting.
The Arizona Coyotes are likely to pursue a defenseman because of a lack in the organization’s defensive depth and immediate need at the NHL level.