Quote:
Originally Posted by strombad
I mean, let's look at it this way: He is currently well under half as productive as Gaudreau, while being just 1 year younger and in a much more 'NHL size' frame. A lot of people think Gaudreau is going to play, but there are a ton of questions on how effective he will be. Take a guy half as productive, and tell the fans he's going to be an all-star and the best of his draft class, and watch the reaction.
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I don't quite agree with looking at it in this fashion.
I think there are two really important things to consider during someone's growth and development stages.
1)
Physically Immature vs Mature: Gaudreau and Jankowski both share this - Compare them to guys like Rocco Grimaldi. Rocco was a short player, but he was way above average in terms of being physically developed. He was easily a step ahead of everyone at his age in his junior years. He was built like at tank - a prototypical 'man' body amongst boys. Fast forward a few years since the draft, and it seems his peers caught up with him, and now he doesn't dominate as well. Gaudreau and Jankowski were both rail-thin. That means their production isn't a product of their physical statures, but rather that of their skills and IQ. They BOTH share in this, and you can expect the both to improve as they both fill out.
2)
Early growth spurt vs Late growth spurt: Jankowski had a huge late growth spurt. Gaudreau didn't. What happens to a body after they go through such a spurt? They generally get clumsy. A bit uncoordinated. While it is true that Jankowski has the 'size advantage' over Gaudreau right now, it might just be a size disadvantage for now. MAYBE. What isn't a maybe is that Jankowski was a small player who is still learning to use his advantage. He hasn't yet, and you can tell by how he plays - though he is getting better at this.
Had Jankowski experienced a normal pattern of growth rate, I would tend to somewhat agree with you here. With Jankowski's more recent growth spurt, he has only just started realizing how to use his advantage, while trying to become more coordinated. Gaudreau is uber-coordinated in comparison. He will improve in necessary areas as he increases his size (center of gravity, puck battles, better speed and a more explosive first step, harder to take the puck off, and increased shot velocity as all positive and important improvements as a byproduct of gaining a bit more muscle mass) so I am NOT insinuating in the least that Gaudreau is fully developed already, just slightly ahead of Jankowski physically (in a way.. must be the only person saying Gaudreau is ahead of anyone physically, right? lol).
Everyone is different. I stopped growing when in grade 6 (though I didn't know it at the time). I hit 6'0" then. Tallest kid in the class, and was uncoordinated somewhat. By grade 9 (and lasting through most of high-school), I was a 'man's body' already, and was a great athlete. Made every single team I ever tried for. By university, these less developed kids caught up and surpassed me.
Jankowski really reminds me of some lanky kids who were on some of my teams that weren't all that effective, but then in a blink of an eye, they were way beyond my capabilities. Once their bodies caught up with their growth, they took off.
He needs patience. He is still catching up to his body, and he is still catching up to how to play in a system - especially defence - which he will require to make the NHL.
This is part of the reason why it makes his development arc one that is so fascinating to watch. There are so many 'unknowns' as to how good he can be, given the storyline around this kid.