Brady Tkachuk was the big off-season player the Florida Panthers added to their roster, but how will the 26-year-old fit into the Panthers' lineup and special teams?
Following a season filled with injuries and no playoff appearance, GM Bill Zito didn't sit on his hands; he made arguably the biggest move of the off-season, acquiring now-former Ottawa Senators captain Brady Tkachuk.
The move by the Florida Panthers shocked the NHL, as the trade reunited brothers Matthew and Brady, who had just won a gold medal together with Team USA at the Olympics a few months earlier.
The trade for Brady gives the Panthers another star forward to add to their top nine, provides another big, physical power forward, and, as a whole, makes the Panthers a tougher team to beat.
When it was announced, many presumed that Brady and Matthew would be the wingers on a line with Sam Bennett, but coach Paul Maurice has declared that Brady Tkachuk will start the season on the top line with Aleksander Barkov and Sam Reinhart.
While watching the Tkachuk brothers and Bennett cause mayhem and score at a high rate would be fun, the fit with Barkov and Reinhart makes a lot of sense.
Offensively, Tkachuk possesses a strong shot, but he struggles to create space for himself to use it. Barkov and Reinhart's playmaking should open the ice up for Tkachuk to take shots from better areas. Additionally, Tkachuk is a menace in front of the net, which will give Barkov and Reinhart more space to operate.
Tkachuk is also far better defensively than people care to mention. Skating alongside a three-time Selke Trophy winner in Barkov and a Selke Trophy finalist in Reinhart will only improve that aspect of his game.
Shifting the attention towards special teams, Tkachuk should land on the top power play unit and should park his 6-foot-4 frame right in front of the net. Reinhart has mastered the bumper position; Barkov and Matthew Tkachuk work the flanks, and Seth Jones will quarterback the top unit for the blueline, which leaves Tkachuk in an area where he has had plenty of success.
In the past, the Panthers have tried several players in the net-front role, but none are as established, physically dominant, and skilled as Brady Tkachuk is.
Whenever a player joins a new team, an adjustment period is typically needed. While the same grace should be given to Tkachuk, it wouldn't be surprising in the slightest to see the 26-year-old fit in immediately and look comfortable.
For action-packed issues, access to the entire magazine archive and a free issue, subscribe to The Hockey News at THN.com/free.See more of The Hockey News on Google and save us as a preferred source. Get the latest news and trending stories by subscribing to our newsletter here. And share your thoughts by commenting below the article on THN.com or creating your own post in our community forum.
