Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe
I wouldn't say he is a slam dunk either - and I am not sure there is a bigger "pro-Jankowski" poster on these forums than myself. I did expect more offence from him as well, but at the same time, he hasn't been bad. You do still see progression, and as long as I see that, I think Jankowski will eventually be signed and will get a shot.
Offensively, he does have moments that wow you. They don't happen as often as I would like, but at least it shows that he does have that potential. I also really like the fact that he seems to be harder to knock off the puck, and he is going to the dirty areas much more frequently, and with more determination.
In trying to figure out what how the organization views him, the best I can do is try to look at him a bit more objectively and compare him to what the Flames are trying to build - what the Flames' identity is - and how he does or doesn't fit. I do see a fit there.
He is big (Flames want to get bigger)
He is a great skater - I think in Hartley's system, that is a mandatory trait.
He has a good 2-way game already - something that again, is mandatory in Hartley's system.
Unless his progression stalls, I don't see the Flames giving up on Jankowski. I think at the very least, he will provide Stockton with a good utility center that will help others develop. The potential is still there that he becomes much more than that, and given his faceoff abilities and his ever-growing defensive game, he may end up being that 3rd line center for Calgary. There is a lot of competition in the depth roles, however.
You may be right - the chances are probably smaller that he reaches his ceiling as "the next Joe Nieuwendyk". However, I do think his floor has risen dramatically. I think the potential to bust is much lowered because he has put on the weight (which was a question mark), and he has become a good defensive player (again, the other big question mark at the draft).
Still, I wouldn't write off his offence at the moment. I haven't been encouraged by his offensive production, but I haven't exactly been discouraged either. He is only 20 and there is still time for him to start putting it together - the rest of this season, the following season, and then a look at how he does once he turns pro. The main thing with projects (and this is exactly what Jankowski was at the draft) is that you don't get too high or too low, and just remain patient and see where things go.
Teravainen for me is the guy that I personally compare Jankowski to - this organization needed a center badly. Teravainen is not much further along than Jankowski is, and has turned into a project himself. Maatta sure looks like a great pick - but then again, will he be able to keep remaining healthy? Will he continue to take steps forward in his progression? Point is, not only is it too early to tell who the best of the 2012 draft is, it becomes even more difficult when you factor in a project pick.
My personal summary of Jankowski is:
Project pick with a few moments of sheer offensive awesomeness, but an ever growing ability defensively and in the faceoff dot. He is a project, but I do think you have to be a bit overly negative to be down on him considering the strides he has made, and only being 20 years old (doesn't turn 21 until September). Keeping all of that in mind, and I don't look at him as a disappointment thus far.
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