Read on Twitter
I think this is the best takes. Just to add my thoughts on the whole thing after sleeping on it. Thread follows:
Tkachuk is an amazing player and definitely plays on the edge. 1/10 https://twitter.com/costello_stats/status/1353721251282358272
Tkachuk is an amazing player and definitely plays on the edge. 1/10 https://twitter.com/costello_stats/status/1353721251282358272
However, we can’t sit here as Flames fans protecting Tkachuk like we didn’t spend YEARS bitching about Kesler, Bieksa, Burrows, Bertuzzi, Perry, and so on. 2/10
If we want to be a “better” fan base than what we dealt with in the Canucks and Ducks for all those years, we have to acknowledge that Tkachuk crosses the line sometimes. This and the elbow on Doughty are my main examples. Think of those players I listed above. 3/10
Some of those guys played on the edge and we hated it. Did we reach a bit and complain too much when some of those plays happened? For sure. Did some of those guys cross the line? Absolutely. 4/10
How great would it have been if their fan bases actually acknowledged when they went too far?? Of course we’re going to protect our guy. Most of the time, the plays are ON the edge, and can be argued either way. 5/10
But we can’t sit back and pretend like the little push from Brodie caused Tkachuk to go full weight, both knees to the back/neck of an already hurt Campbell (which Tkachuk FOR SURE was aware of). 6/10
We can still love our guy and give shit to other fan bases, but it’s not a good look to try and defend plays like this. Do I want Tkachuk to be a totally different player? No. BUT, this kind of thing isn’t acceptable. 7/10
Word needs to come from his own fan base that this isn’t okay or it’ll keep happening until someone gets really hurt, and I don’t think anyone wants that. I’m probably going to get shit from other Flames fans on this, but whatever. You know I’m right and you’re in denial. 8/10
Just like when other fans say they’d never want Tkachuk on their teams. They’re lying to themselves too. If any Flames fan can say they wouldn’t have taken Perry in his prime on our team, they are delusional. 9/10
If you made this far, thanks for reading. I’m here for real, level-headed conversations on the topic if anyone’s interested. And yes, I know I’m usually a nonsensical idiot on here most of the time, but whatever. It changes daily. 
10/10
10/10
