Flames' Tkachuk seeking to rediscover his impact role under Sutter

Ryan Leslie and Eric Francis look at the Flames' losses to the Senators, and how Matthew Tkachuk could be a key difference maker for the team.

Darryl Sutter has never been a coach of compromise. In his mind, there is only one way to do things.

So as strange as it is to hear following three straight losses, his message Thursday was to “stay the course.”

However, in rarely recorded footage, the Calgary Flames coach admitted there was one thing he needed to change: Matthew Tkachuk’s ice time.

“I’ve got to play him more — I’m not playing him enough,” Sutter said Thursday. “That’s on me.”

While few should be surprised that under Sutter both Johnny Gaudreau and Sean Monahan have seen significant declines in ice time, no one could have guessed the man taking the biggest hit would be Tkachuk.

Under Geoff Ward, the 23-year-old future captain was counted on for an average workload of 19:34.

In the eight games since Sutter arrived that number is almost five minutes lower, playing under 14 minutes a night in two of his last four outings.

The question is, why?

Why is a Sutter-type player — who has long been considered the heartbeat of this team — not playing top minutes, especially at a time when the missing ingredient is offence?

After all, the former 34-goal man led the team in points last season.

“I have been really set on the four lines just to get to know guys better, but once in a while a player in those lines gets overlooked,” Sutter said.

“I just think I can use him better and play him more in situations that aren’t line related, meaning with other lines.”

Sutter opened his daily press availability by suggesting “two or three” guys needed to pick up their games, but when asked if they were all forwards he balked, adding he needed more from his defensive pairings and goaltending as well.

So what does he need to see more of from Tkachuk, who happens to be the team’s leading hitter?

“I’m not getting into that part of it, but I know what kind of player he is,” Sutter said.

“Where I’ve coached against him, or watched him or scouted him, or all three, I know what kind of player he is and I know what his identity is, and I know what the other team thinks of him as a type of player. That’s just what he has to play to, and he will.”

Tkachuk has just one goal and three helpers in eight games under Sutter, failing to be the type of impact player he’s long prided himself on being.

While still throwing his weight around and engaging in a coach-pleasing fight with Leafs defender Justin Holl, his shots per game (1.75) have been almost cut in half from where they were under Ward (3.23).

He hasn’t been nearly as dangerous around the net, as accidentally-on-purpose careless around the goalie or as menacing after whistles.

“I can be better, I know I can be better,” Tkachuk said when asked how he felt he’s played for the new boss.

“I don’t think the system or style has been a hard adjustment or anything. I think he wants you to go out there and compete and work hard every shift, and that’s kind of my bread and butter and things I pride myself on bringing to the table every day.

“You’re rewarded with more opportunity when you’re playing better hockey. He’s very up front with you and very honest, which is what you want.”

Has he found his new lot in life frustrating?

“I get frustrated when we lose,” said Tkachuk, who has eight goals and 25 points in 34 outings. “I think it just magnifies more when you’re not winning games.”

Asked if he was happy to hear his coach planned to use him more, Tkachuk was nonplussed.

“Everybody wants to play more, but I think it’s at the point in the season where it’s kind of do or die for us,” said Tkachuk, whose club opens a three-game homestand against Winnipeg on Friday.

“You want to be in those situations. I’ve been in them before to have an impact... In his system or his style if you’re not playing well, you’re not going to play. I’ve just got to play better and hopefully that comes with more ice and hopefully that translates into more wins.”

Can they really win 16 of the 22 games remaining to make the playoffs?

“You’ve got to be positive, otherwise it’s not going to happen,” said Tkachuk, whose sixth-place club sits four back of fourth-place Montreal that has two games in hand.

“Teams have gone on crazier runs than probably we’re asking of ourselves right now, but time is definitely ticking, so we’ve got to start soon. Hopefully this weekend series against Winnipeg we can show we’re not going away anytime soon and that we’re going to rally and go on a run.”

PEEL-ING BACK THE LAYERS

Tkachuk has known referee Tim Peel for many years and had some strong thoughts on his dismissal earlier this week for being caught on a hot mic “managing” his calls.

“Knowing his family from St. Louis, it’s definitely heartbreaking,” Tkachuk said.

“It’s tough because it’s how the game is. We talk about it in between periods if we’ve got four power plays. The best ones manage it the best way. They have such a hard job and he’s such a great ref, probably the best I’ve had the privilege of dealing with in the NHL. And for it to kind of end like that, I thought the punishment didn’t fit with what he deserved. I just wish him the best. The great ones are personable out there and honest when you’re talking to him. We’re definitely going to miss him a lot.”

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