Quote:
Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher
If Jankowski legitimately makes the team I think its as a top 3 centre. And that only happens if we've got an injury or they decide to move Bennett to the wing.
What about the following
Gaudreau-Monahan-Tkachuk
Frolik-Backlund-Lazar
Bennett-Jankowski-Ferland
Man is that a lot of young players. Where Jankowski fits long term is still one of the more puzzling questions.
Reasons why I don't think they'll try Janko at wing
1. They don't have to. This isn't a 19 year old kid struggling at centre (like Bennett was). You don't have to move him to the wing and shelter him. He can play centre in the NHL and if he's not ready he'll continue to learn as a 1st line centre in the AHL.
2. Don't think his style really suits it. His strengths are playmaking, stick handling, vision, face-offs. You want those strengths down the middle with his size. I don't think he's physical or tenacious enough for wing to be a better fit
It's an interesting conundrum because he ideally doesn't fit if we're healthy and they want Bennett as a centre.
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I think Bennett improved by leaps and bounds defensively as a center last year, and I really hope they keep him going that way but with better line mates. Having four strong two way pivots would allow the Flames to roll 4 lines that can match up with just about anybody. Would be invaluable IMO.
Gaudreau - Monahan - External option??
M Frolik - Backlund - Brouwer
Tkachuk - Bennett - Lazar
Ferland - Jankowski - Chiasson
Stajan gone in expansion?
Bouma dealt for a mid/late round pick?