It is tough for anyone to really pencil him in for next season, or to discount him from even making the team. At development camp last year, he really did look head and shoulders above everyone else. Given another year of NCAA development, another off-season of training - he could be 'NHL-ready'. I think he gets sent down, but will be one of the later cuts I bet. He (at least to me) screams like a player Hartley would love. The same attributes that Hartley has praised Monahan for in the past, seems like the same attributes that Leamen praises Jankowski for in the NCAA. He is the type of player that coaches seem to put trust in to play in any situation.
I do think he gets sent down, but I also do think he gets some extended looks next season. I doubt very much - unless it is due to an injury - that we see him as a center. Monahan isn't getting displaced as a center. Bennett is unlikely from here on out to be anything other than a center. The way Backlund is playing, I really can't see anyone displacing him either. Of course, there is a draft lottery, and if the Flames are fortunate enough to get Mathews, than of course what I just stated gets altered.
I see Jankowski starting off as a 3rd line winger. Probably with Bennett if Bennett is playing 3rd line while developing, or Backlund. All depends on how good Jankowski looks, and which line is playing the easier minutes - at least to start.
Seems like a good way to bring him in. I just don't know what his timetable is any longer in terms of development. I agree with what FDW stated above completely - the AHL is a GREAT place to have him play in and learn to dominate before jumping into the NHL. I just think that he COULD end up forcing a decision sooner rather than later.
In other words, and as completely stupid as this sentence sounds - 'It wouldn't surprise me if he surprised me.'
|