Fogelhund
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- Sep 15, 2007
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Matthews and Tkachuk were linemates and teammates in the U20 WJC for team USA in 2015-16 that won bronze and the 2014-15 U18 team that won Gold.
They finished #4 and #5 in tournament scoring. Elite Prospects - WJC-20 Stats 2015-2016
They both came up together through the USA Development program.
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Despite bond, Matthews knows after puck drops Tkachuk won't hold back - Sportsnet.ca
— Auston Matthews knows Matthew Tkachuk well enough to know that he’s not in the business of handing out free passes.
Even when you’re a former teammate, current friend and ongoing dinner companion, all bets are off once the puck drops. That’s why Matthews doesn’t expect to be spared from any chirps or physical play during Thursday’s Toronto Maple Leafs–Calgary Flames game at Scotiabank Arena
None of it was a surprise to Matthews, who saw Tkachuk perfect the art of getting under an opponent’s skin during their time together at the U.S. national development program. He was already well adept at doing it even as a teenager. “That’s something that he feeds off of, obviously. I saw it first-hand for two years,” said Matthews. “I think he’s just a guy that you love to have on your team and on your side, and a guy you hate to play against. I mean he just likes to compete out there".
Yes, but would they have the same on ice chemistry today? Would that pairing work as well as Matthews-Marner? It's a legit question really. Is the team better? I mean, Tkachuk has the opportunity to really help the team in many other ways, and plays a more playoff ready style. Marner on the other hand is a world class passer, and now that's lost on the team.
Anyway, the main point is... you'd have to ask Matty what he'd want here.