Quote:
Originally Posted by MarkGio
You're right that stats aren't everything. But Janko wasn't drafted as a defensive centre or energy grinder. He was drafted as a bonafide #1 centre.
Now thats unfair to Janko and its not his fault Feaster's comments and projections were way off base. That's just cruel. But we still have guys like Reinhart, Agostino, and Arnold who have equal or similar or greater skill sets than Janko.
To me, Janko should not be above Reinhart, Gillies or Ortio. Perhaps there's a fair argument for him being above everyone else, but not these guys.
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In terms of development Jankowski is ahead of where Feaster projected he would be. The guy is still 19, and had he gone to the USHL as was originally planned then he would have only just completed his Freshman year in the NCAA. Advancing to the NCAA when he did was a daunting step and it is unfair to expect him to be putting up gaudy offensive numbers just yet. Just being a regular player as an 18 year old freshman is a good sign for an NHL prospect. Many of them just ride the pine.
I won't hash it out in great detail as it's been explored in depth, but finishing 3rd in scoring on a defense-oriented Providence team as a 18/19 year old is just fine in terms of development. If he had some trigger men on his wing this season he should have had about a dozen more assists.
The fact is, no one should be adjusting their expectations about this player just yet. He was always going to be 5 years away, development wise. He isn't any more of a grinder or role player now than he was on the day he was drafted.