Flames Give Matthew Tkachuk Entry-Level Deal

The Calgary Flames have signed 2016 sixth overall draft pick Matthew Tkachuk to a three-year, entry-level contract, the team announced Thursday. Details on the AAV and bonus structure have not been made available.

Tkachuk was ranked fifth or higher in the vast majority of pre-draft rankings, so falling to sixth and the laps of the Flames was fortuitous for Calgary. He’s the exact kind of offense-first player with a load of grit that is the desired personality of a Brian Burke team. He even said this offseason that he hopes the Flames will be a “black and blue” team.

That’s Tkachuk.

The #Flames have signed Matthew Tkachuk to an entry-level deal ~ https://t.co/nykDNP52Dl pic.twitter.com/NMlh4skmRl

— Calgary Flames (@NHLFlames) July 7, 2016

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The 6-foot-1 forward spent last season putting up 107 points (30-77-107) for the London Knights of the OHL. He also played for his country at the 2016 World Junior Championship, helping the U.S. to a bronze medal by scoring four goals and 11 points in seven games.

There’s no guarantee that Tkachuk plays in the NHL this coming season, but he’s likely to get a cup of coffee before returning to junior, if he returns to juniors. He won’t be eligible to play in the AHL, so it’ll be NHL or OHL for him.

With his strength and skill set, he has the chance of making it with the Flames.