It’s not often that the NHL offers up a brother combination where the age, skill and desire to compete is not that different. Both Brady and Matthew Tkachuk play similar positions, have similar games and offer similar attributes to their respective teams. In fact, both players are widely considered the respective futures of their franchises.
Related: Canucks Set to Announce Travis Hamonic Deal Tuesday
But, unlike the Sedins who made a career playing together in Vancouver, there may always be a bit of an underlying competition between the two Tkachuk brothers — something that is sure to take center stage as the Calgary Flames and Ottawa Senators are part of the new North Division and Brady and Matthew will play each other repeatedly.
That competition may end with one player topping the other in terms of points, but the question going into the season is, ‘Which player would you rather have?’
Which Player Is More Popular Among NHL Executives?
TSN’s Frank Seravalli said on a recent edition of That’s Hockey that he surveyed TSN analysts, coaches, executives and general managers on which Tkachuk they’d elect to take on their team if they could only have one of them. Interestingly, 18 of the 22 responded they’d rather have Matthew.
Seravalli was a bit shocked by the overwhelming consensus vote. He said, “Look, I have no qualms with that answer. Matthew Tkachuk checks just about every box you could want in a player, as an agitator, phenomenal scorer and guy who drags his teammates into the fight.”
At the same time, Seravalli argues that Brady is “no slouch either.”
Seravalli notes Brady Tkachuk found his offence a little faster when he jumped into the NHL and he scored 15% more goals than Matthew did to start his career. He done it with a lot less talent in Ottawa and he’s been relied on to be the guy at a young age and proven he can be that guy.
Who would you select?
Next: McDavid Tops TSN Player’s Poll, Oilers Lose Forsberg on Waivers
