Been going with Jankowski since Bennett, though I can't say it was an easy choice.
I can't say I disagree with the choices so far. I always thought if Ferland made it, he would be a huge fan favorite and a very important piece for the Flames. Hated not voting for him since I love the kid, but I really do believe that Jankowski is going to be a very good player for the Flames.
Jankowski (IMO) has all the tools except 'grit'. Size, speed, skating, agility, passing ability, vision, shot, IQ.. Every time I have seen Jankowski play since he went to college, I find it easy to see why the Flames' scouting staff liked him and why Weisbrod fell in love with him and called him the next Nieuwendyk.
If Jankowski continues putting on a bit of weight without losing his agility, he is going to be a very difficult center for opposing teams to handle. Not because he will bowl guys over, but because he will be tough to muscle off the puck, will have a very good reach, and has the ability to make things happen out of nowhere rather quickly.
I do think that he is ready for the pro game (AHL, and MAYBE some occasional call-up injury time), but glad he is heading back to college for another year. Being 'the guy' I think will give him more confidence, and will help develop his leadership skills. Like he said - providence will have a target on its' back this year, and he will be the guy on every opposing team's board. I think he is learning to be more tenacious (one criticism I and a couple of others shared) and I think that is the single most important aspect of his game to develop. With him going back to college and being the big target every night, I bet it really will help his development much more than going to the AHL this year.
Klimchuk, Hickey and Kylington are next for me (not sure what order). I do think it is funny that Klimchuk often seems like an afterthought on these boards, and seems to be thown into a bunch of trade proposals. Eberle on these boards seems to be a polarizing player, and not only because of what jersey he wears. He is so polarizing because of his lack of effort and defensive acumen. Klimchuk to me = Eberle offensively, but with a much better 2-way game AND effort. Yeah, he is slightly undersized, but I don't think it is that big of a deal now.
Flames lost Baertschi who was slightly undersized. When they are competing, Hudler will PROBABLY be gone as well - or at least not included in the top 6. They have boatloads of big guys with hockey ability coming up through the ranks (Ferland, Smith, Carrol, etc), and some of these could very well become players that you can throw up into the top 6 when needed and not slow down the line or reduce the offence. I think it will be Klimchuk for me next - as long as this kid stays healthy, he is literally a can't miss prospect, and I agree with the poster above that I would think he will have a long and productive career in the NHL.
I am not sure why Ricardow wants to argue that point - we are ranking PROSPECTS as to how we personally feel they will do. There is no wrong or right answer - except for correcting other posters and saying things like "I would like to see him turn pro first before...".
Some posters are definitely placing more weight on NHL/AHL experience and success, or NHL-readiness. Some posters are going pure ceilings. Most are doing somewhat of a mix. The only wrong answer is telling someone else they are selecting wrong.
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