Quote:
Originally Posted by bax
I'm not ready to move on from Jankowski either, but it is highly unlikely that he continues to develop to the point where he is a first line center. Are there any other examples of a player breaking into the league at 23 and then a few years later becoming a top line player? I'ts fair to compare age vs season for young players because it highlights where they are on a development cycle.
Patrice Bergeron is also known as the very best defensive center of this era. That isn't a fair comparison for Janko at all.
Janko had spurts where he provided strong two way play, but there were also many points in the season where he faded and became invisible. Why does Jankowski get the benefit of "providing offense" while playing with bottom six players and Bennett doesn't? They finished with nearly identical point totals.
Top 10 in goals for NHL rookies, sounds nice but nearly everybody ahead of him on that list is significantly younger than him. It just isn't very often a player develops into a stud when they are that old already.
Again, I like Janko and think he is a useful player, but he is far from untouchable. That designation is reserved for players like Gaudreau and Tkachuk.
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The vast majority of Rookies provide spurts where they shine, and others where they are invisible. I give Jankowski the benefit of the doubt because he is a rookie, playing at center, and driving the play. Bennett had multiple opportunities on the top lines, and you're right, they finished with nearly identical stats.
There is a long list of players who continue to develop beyond age 23, and put up career highs much later in their careers. It's uncommon for stud players to enter the league at older ages, not uncommon to develop into a stud player as they age.
William Karlsson comes to mind.
Rookie season age 23, 9 goals, 11 assists.
This season, age 25, 43 goals, 35 assists.
I don't think "Untouchable" should be placed on a name, it should be placed on the value of the player in the role.
Can we replace what Gaudreau or Tkachuk bring to the team vis FA or trade? likely not, so they are untouchable.
Can you easliy replace a big strong rookie center, who's proven he can play a solid 2 way game? You could with a veteran, but is it wise to replace young, cheap players with more potential, for older more expensive players who will decline sooner?
Jankowski is exactly the type of player the Flames need over the next 5-10 seasons.