Quote:
Originally Posted by Cali Panthers Fan
Here are my thoughts from the Jankowski thread.
Bennett is going to be an top talent in the NHL, I'm just not sure it will be as a center. It's his natural position, but he's played much better at wing so far. Will he gradually learn the defensive game well enough to be a top line center? That's the part I'm not sure of. He's adequate defensively right now, but he's not a guy that I would rely on to shut down the other team effectively enough to turn it into offense.
Jankowski might only end up being a 3rd line center in the NHL, but I'm convinced at this point that he will make it in some capacity. It's just the way he's been developed that makes me think he has the ability to be a good #1 center, but not as offensively dynamic as guys like Gaudreau and Bennett. He was always a very good offensive player, he just had to catch up to the rest of his age group in terms of defensive acumen, size, systems play, and just the general level of competitiveness. He's just 21, and could easily take another year or two to develop properly, but he could be a better fit than either Monahan or Bennett for #1 center.
Just my thoughts. Speculation and projection is always full of doubt, so take it for what it's worth.
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Thanks! I like your logic on this.
A nice problem to have with 3 potential number one centres.