Quote:
Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames
Thanks for the detailed write-up. I just wish every response wasn't the size of a short story. I wouldn't of even glanced at that wall of text if it hadn't been addressed to me. This is a forum, so point form or short paragraphs will cause more people to take the time to read. I do appreciate you being thorough though.
Is the most recent talk of Jankowski really from the start of the year? The major red flag for me was brought up in my last post. As a 2-way centerman, he's 6th on team scoring with the lowest +/- of the top 15 scorers on his team (a much higher scoring team this season by the way). Take that with halving last years goal total and I think Jankowski's progression is not as absolute as you deem it to be.
It's not the time to give up, but you can't deny the stats indicate little to no progression this season. He had last season to familiarize himself with the defensive responsibilities of playing center. It's safe to say fans expected an increase in his offensive production this season.
Next year will be a big test as there looks to be a good junk of Seniors graduating. If he can role with top line duties than I'm sure he'll have a steady year of development.
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I think every poster here has their own personal quirks. Mine happen to be lengthy posts (I hope that is the only quirk). I find that I enjoy reading some other posters lengthy posts personally. It is a forum, but I think everyone has the freedom to post in whatever way suits them. I am fully aware that a great many people just skip my post, and that is also fine with me. I understand that not everyone has the time nor the patience to read a lengthy post - especially if it happens to be boring!
Some people do enjoy it, some hate it.. I just post how I post. If I have a lot to say, they become lengthy, if I don't, they can be short and sweet. Unfortunately, at 3am my filter turns off, and they start to compete with such classics like War and Peace...
Back on topic - I would be lying if I said that I wasn't disappointed with Jankowski's offensive output. I would have loved to have seen a huge increase - and was expecting it quite frankly. Why was his numbers a bit low? I have no idea. Might have been a coaching thing, a nagging injury, adjusting to bigger minutes and the better defensive pairings keying-in on him, something with the system. I really have no clue, and I would be guessing. When I do watch him, I do see a skilled player with size. Does he leave me hungry for more? Absolutely. I just look at him as a 20 year old kid still.
His ceiling is a 1st line center. Given his offensive output, that may definitely be lowering as he develops. However, he may become a very good 3rd line center that chips in offensively. To me, that isn't bad at all, and I would say it is worth more than a 2nd round pick. He may not turn out to be that 'sexy player', but he may yet turn out to be a player that really helps the team win down the road. Besides, there are many instances where guys haven't produced too much in the NCAA, but have gone on to be decent in the NHL - Jooris for one (and he had the same coach in his first year at Union).
I just look at Jankowski as a long-term project, and his coach and program are turning him into a well-rounded player. Time will tell how that story goes - and yes, I do acknowledge that there is definitely the chance he busts - but I think he is progressing positively and has received many accolades from his coach.