Wray Morrison: Respecting Tkachuk

Kings defenceman Drew Doughty backed up his words, for one night at least.

Before L.A.’s game in Calgary on Monday night, Doughty said he had “no respect” for Flames winger Matthew Tkachuk. On the heels of that statement, Los Angeles went on to upset Calgary 3-0 right at the Scotiabank Saddledome.

Doughty was well within his rights to offer that opinion after being asked about Tkachuk by reporters. Doughty lost me when he said that Tkachuk is “not respected by most of the people in the league. It’s not just me — that’s just a fact.”

If he’s not respected as a player by opponents, he should be. Tkachuk has 34 goals this season and is averaging a point a game. His role is to get under the skin of opposing players and get points. He is doing just that for the Flames, who are at the top of the NHL’s Western Conference standings.

I would also assume that Tkachuk is respected by Flames management, coaches and players, which is really all that matters.