NHL Draft Pick Matthew Tkachuk Compared To Rob Gronkowski; Gronk Approves

During its coverage of the 2016 NHL Draft, NBC Sports offered a player comparison for each draft hopeful.

Matthew Tkachuk’s was … a bit unusual, to say the least.

Rather than compare Tkachuk, who was picked sixth overall by the Calgary Flames, to a current NHLer, the network went a different route, likening the 6-foot-2 forward to a star in a different sport: New England Patriots All-Pro tight end Rob Gronkowski.

Yes, seriously.

Who knows how much Gronk knows about Tkachuk, who lit it up in the Ontario Hockey League and was considered by many to be a steal at No. 6. But he apparently approves of the comp.

Tkachuk, the son of former NHL great Keith Tkatchuk, racked up 107 points in 57 games for the London Knights this season, finishing fifth in the OHL in scoring.

Thumbnail photo via Greg M. Cooper/USA TODAY Sports Images