Quote:
Originally Posted by Firebot
I think Jankowski is being seriously underrated. I think he will surprise at camp, start the season on the 3rd line on the wing with Backlund to learn the system with a 2 way center and eventually be paired with Bennett on the 2nd line.
|
Underrated long term or short term? I think he could end up our #2 centre long term in some circumstances but I think the best thing for him and the Flames is to learn playing centre in pro playing huge minutes in the AHL in the short term. It isn't underrating him IMO to think he's still a skinny kid with limited pro experience who could use growing and dominating at a lower level with some of our other prospects.
As for winger vs centre it seems to me he's even more of a natural centre than Bennett is. Seems playmaking is one of his strengths and I don't think he's as hard in board puck battles as Bennett is. Faceoffs has grown into one of his strengths in college and the Flames could dearly use a big, skilled centre who can win face-offs.
If Jankowski pans out I think he may centre Bennett one day, not the other way around. I really think Jankowski projects more as a centre than a winger. I'm not sure where he fits long term because of that but having an extra 6'4 top two line centre isn't going to be a problem.