(WeeklyPlayerReview #1) Who the fuck is Keith Tkachuk?

Who the fuck is Kieth Tkachuk you ask? Check it out!

https://hutdb.net/17/view/11400

Currently playing on the 3rd line/2nd PK

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Pavelski/Brind'Amour/Tkachuk (3rd Line) Brind'Amour/Tkachuk (PK)

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• Skating 6/10: If you're lookin' fer a speedy little feller...Tkahcuk is not that man. While the stats don't look all that bad with Acceleration (89) and Speed (87), he definitely feels slower than that. Base Joe Pavelski, his linemate, has 91 for acceleration and 88 for speed, but absolutely smokes Tkachuk when it comes to getting loose puck and making moves for open ice. Keithy just wasn't a smooth skater for me and with Agility (92) I was expecting Micheal Fassbender, not Micheal J. Fox. What keeps Tkachuk from just being average skating wise, is his Endurance (93) and his Balance (95). The guy has lasted me entire 1:30-2:00 minute PK's when the game decides that it doesn't feel like making line changes, and while he slowed down some, it was never enough to be completely detrimental. Tkachuk's balance is something to be admired, he's not easy to knock off the puck and he can skate through most hits. I will say that he's been absolutely lit up twice in my time with him. Once by a TOTW Zdeno Chara and the second time by Nazem Kadri. Yes you read that correctly, Tkachuk got steamrolled by Nazem The Dream. The guy who couldn't knock Mark Giordano down, twice, in the same game.

• Shooting 5.5/10: Tkachuk has what looks like a monster shot with SSA (93), SSP (93), WSA (94), WSP (95). Basically his shot looks like James P. Sullivan on the stats sheet, Mike Wazowski on the ice, and like Mike Wazowski, it's entirely possible that Tkachuk has one eye and terrible depth perception. Throughout my games with him I could not get Tkachuk going shooting wise, which was really disappointing for me after seeing that nice shiny 95 for shooting on the front of the card. He most definitely has the power in his shot, but for me at least, shooting with Tkachuk was what I imagine being in the Revolutionary War was like. Line me up 100 Tkachuk's and I'll give you 17 goals. Now it's entirely possible I'm just awful at this game, but he really didn't do it for me in the shooting category.

• Hands 8/10: This is where things start to brighten up, for the two of you who asked for this review. Tkachuk's ability to control the puck around the ice was huge for me. His Puck Control (95) and Hand-Eye (95) actually feel like their respective ratings. Good ole Captain Keith has sticky fingers, which worked really well chewing up time on the PK and he saved my ass several times during cycles in the offensive zone by being able to hang onto the puck and sending some crisp Passes (93) off to the next member of his line. Just don't expect to be dangling your way around the ice with them fancy pantsy Dekes (90), Tkachuk doesn't need that nonsense in his game. No but seriously I found myself with no puck on my stick after loose puck dekes several times, with no defensive interference, which was disappointing for me with Deking (90)

• Checking 9/10: Tkachuk the truck doesn't give a fuck if you're stuck, if he hits you, you're in...unluck...? Tkachuk can hit, and if that's your game take full advantage of his Body Checking (95) and Strength (95). I imagine that Tkachuk is the kind of guy that moves large boulders, trees, and small villages for fun. He is strong on the puck, like I said in the skating category, but what impressed me was the amount of times people came in for a big hit, and just got ran the fuck over by Tkachuk the Truck. What also impressed me is his Durability (95), He took the two massive hits I mentioned above, and after dusting himself off, was fine for the rest of the game, I've yet to use an injury card on him. Another upside of Tkachuk that I appreciated was his ability at Knuckle Dusting (90). Need to restore your energy? Send out Tkachuk. The reason this is an 8 and not a 10 is due solely to his Discipline (82) and Poise (85). Tkachuk took a lot of the patented EA SPORTS Elbow Button Penalties and Roughing. He took several of these late in games, which took him out of my PK Unit, which sometimes fucked me. I'm not bitter, you are.

• Defense 8.75/10: This is, for me atleast, Tkachuk's saving grace. When he isn't in the box, Tkachuk's Strength (95), Puck Control (95), Defensive Awareness (93), Blocking (94), and Stick Checking (92) are invaluable on my PK. The guy could probably just do it all by himself, and that translates into regular 5 on 5 play as well. He can take pucks away from people, control them, and move them along with his Passing (93). Just don't give up a breakaways because Tkachuk's is not the guy who's gonna catch them, he is definitely a stay at home forward. If you're looking for a guy to play defensively on your 3rd or 4th line, boy do I have a hero for you.

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• Synergies: Tkachuk sports 2 points of Cycle Game and 2 Points of Net Front Presence. While the 2 points of Cycle game are nice and helpful in lighting up a great Team Synergy, MS Modano will get you 3 points of Cycle Game for 100k +/- and a whole lot more offensive upside. Net Front Presence on the other hand doesn't really seem to be a wildly popular synergy to me, but what I can say is that all 3 of Tkachuk's goals were deflections while he was in front of the net.

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• Overview: Offensively Tkachuk was basically a dud for me. If you're looking for a heavy PWF you can do a lot better for a lot cheaper. If you need a guy who can crush it on the PK, you can do a comparable for cheaper. If you're HUT rich and have fuckabout coins, Keith Tkachuk is solid 3rd/4th liner who will sometimes do some offensive stuff, but will definitely help you out on the PK/defensive side of things so you're more offensive players can do the do. The only two Keith Tkachuk's listed on the XB1 Market were for 200k and 250k respectively, just not worth it in my opinion.

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10 GP

3 Goals (All Deflections)

2 Assists

5 Points

(All games were played against a similarly skilled friend who is helping me test out cards. It's our nerd hobby now)

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• Comparable Players

On the Cheap: If you're looking for a heavy PWF that plays similarly to Tkachuk I'd try Rick Nash (LPS 1.8k). While nowhere near as good defensively, Nash's offensive upsides seem comparable to what Tkahcuk's offense is supposed to be.

Mid Range: For more mid range players I'd try out Max Paccioretty (LPS 9k) or Blake Wheeler (LPS 35K). Patches and the Wheelman (sounds like a terrible buddy cop show) both have better offensive upside in my opinion while still being defensively responsible and in the case of Wheeler, the ability to lay the body.

High Tier: If you want a guy who can run through everything, play the game offensively, and be responsible defensively, do yourself a favor and just go out and get MS Eric Lindros (LPS 100K, listed between 100K-115K). You'll save yourself 100k and get a player that'll probably be on your team for a long time. His offense is night and day compared to Tkachuk's and his defense is only slightly worse.

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https://hutdb.net/17/builder/23699

There's my team if anyone wants to decide on which player I review next week. Once I've gotten a more concise pattern down for doing these reviews I'll open it up to any player in the game. If nobody votes for a single player I'll just pick one to annoy everyone.