Calgarypuck Forums - The Unofficial Calgary Flames Fan Community - View Single Post - [GDT] NCAA Finals; Providence (Jankowski, Gillies, Gilmour) vs Boston (Hickey) 5:30

Calgary4LIfe · 04-12-2015, 11:41 AM

If Jankowski continues to progress, I think he can definitely grab that 3rd line center position. What about Backlund? I can't imagine any scenario where keeping Backlund and moving him to the wing would be a bad move. I think Backlund is the type of player that you keep around anyways. Backlund is incredibly good at the defensive side of the game. They could make for 2/3rds of a very good shut-down line that can score.

Really glad so many posters here managed to watch a couple of Jankowski's games. There will always be definitive statements about that draft like: "Should have drafted Maatta, Teravainen, 'x', ...". There is only one definitive statement at this point - it is too early to call that draft a mistake, or who the best player is. Jankowski may still develop into the best player out of all the available players at 14.

Though nothing is guaranteed yet, I think he has erased his bust-risk. I think that given his size, IQ, defensive acumen and his face-off abilities that he will at least turn into a utilitarian player. However, I really believe with his hands that he will become much more than that. I still think he has loads of offensive potential left in him, and hopefully if he stays in Providence next year, we will see more of it.

I would absolutely love to see him paired with another higher IQ player with decent hands and scoring ability. Jankowski can make such sick passes, and when he does get set-up, he can finish very well himself. I don't really think he has that at the moment at Providence.

I wouldn't hate it if he left Providence and signed with the Flames. I think the Flames can help him work on his over-all game a bit more in the AHL and provide him with much better line mates. Having Arnold there (very likely anyways) will allow the Flames to use him as the 2nd line center (or even third line with Reinhart on the 2nd). However, I see huge value in him staying for an extra 'free development year' in the NCAA and getting even more confidence and learning to be the leader on that team. I don't think you can go wrong in either way at the moment.

04-12-2015, 11:41 AM	#347
Calgary4LIfe Franchise Player Join Date: Jun 2010 Exp:	If Jankowski continues to progress, I think he can definitely grab that 3rd line center position. What about Backlund? I can't imagine any scenario where keeping Backlund and moving him to the wing would be a bad move. I think Backlund is the type of player that you keep around anyways. Backlund is incredibly good at the defensive side of the game. They could make for 2/3rds of a very good shut-down line that can score. Really glad so many posters here managed to watch a couple of Jankowski's games. There will always be definitive statements about that draft like: "Should have drafted Maatta, Teravainen, 'x', ...". There is only one definitive statement at this point - it is too early to call that draft a mistake, or who the best player is. Jankowski may still develop into the best player out of all the available players at 14. Though nothing is guaranteed yet, I think he has erased his bust-risk. I think that given his size, IQ, defensive acumen and his face-off abilities that he will at least turn into a utilitarian player. However, I really believe with his hands that he will become much more than that. I still think he has loads of offensive potential left in him, and hopefully if he stays in Providence next year, we will see more of it. I would absolutely love to see him paired with another higher IQ player with decent hands and scoring ability. Jankowski can make such sick passes, and when he does get set-up, he can finish very well himself. I don't really think he has that at the moment at Providence. I wouldn't hate it if he left Providence and signed with the Flames. I think the Flames can help him work on his over-all game a bit more in the AHL and provide him with much better line mates. Having Arnold there (very likely anyways) will allow the Flames to use him as the 2nd line center (or even third line with Reinhart on the 2nd). However, I see huge value in him staying for an extra 'free development year' in the NCAA and getting even more confidence and learning to be the leader on that team. I don't think you can go wrong in either way at the moment.