Quote:
Originally Posted by Eric Vail
I just don't understand the love for Jankowski. Drafted four years ago, still does not sound ready for the NHL.
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Did they say "he will be ready in four years" four years ago?
Or four years ago did they say(paraphrasing here) "We think he'll probably play a 3-4 years in college, another year or two in the AHL, but in ten years we think he has the capability to be the best forward in this draft"?
Look at Radek Faksa. This was another guy from the 2012 draft, although about eight months older.
Year 1, he was a sketchy pick.
Year 2, he was a very poor pick who couldn't even break a PPG in JUNIOR.
Year 3, he was the biggest bust in the draft class who put up the same kind of numbers Klimchuk did last year in the AHL.
Year 4, Suddenly he's playing in the NHL playoffs and he's their best forward not named Benn, Sharp or Spezza.
Teams that draft well, draft with a long term vision in mind. There was no gain to be had from Nail Yakupov turning rookie right away from that draft. The Stars, and the Flames are teams that follow the Detroit Red Wings model of drafting what they perceive as talent,
and developing it. Development is not gauged solely by statistical progression devoid of context nor is upside measured by a sprint. Give me Faksa over Yakupov any day. And I see even more upside in our Jankowski than I see in Faksa.