Calgary Flames: Five best players through the first 15 games

Four: Matthew Tkachuk

Matthew Tkachuk is definitely not having a sophomore slump. In a successful rookie year with 48 points in 76 points, he’s currently on pace to beat that record this year. He has 10 points in 15 games so far which is third on the Calgary Flames.

So far this season (and in his career), Tkachuk is 2/2 in the shootout which have both been the winning shootout goals. Once against the Nashville Predators and one against the New Jersey Devils.

Calgary Flames

Right after Jagr, he’s second on the team in CF% at 58.56%. However, him along with his other two linemates that make up the 3M line, they also start more faceoffs in their own-zone. Tkachuk’s offensive-zone starting % is 40.63%. Meaning that even though the team starts more faceoffs in their own zone with Tkachuk on the ice, they’re still generating more shot attempts than they’re allowing (5v5).

This was actually difficult to not choose all three members of the 3M line, but that would be cheating, so I had to pick just one. Among forwards, Tkachuk is second on the team with CF% Rel. at 8.61% (but the player ahead of him is Jagr, who has played in fewer games).

Among all forwards who have played min. 100 minutes so far 5v5, Tkachuk is 12th in CF%. However, every single player ahead of him has a higher oZS% and all except for three have above 60% oZS%. So they essentially have an edge over Tkachuk.

Tkachuk also leads the league this season in penalties drawn at 13. He has also somewhat controlled his discipline a bit and isn’t taking nearly as many penalties as he was last season and is nowhere near the same pace to hit his PIM from last season. If he keeps up his pace he’s at, he’ll beat his points from last season and hit that 50 point mark.

There seems to be no evidence of a sophomore slump happening with this 19-year old.