Quote:
Originally Posted by FBI
I think it’s just the passion. I bet Sutter could get him to become consistent in his effort.
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No, I don't think it's a lack of passion. I actually think Jankowski is a pretty competitive player. However I see Jankowski as two different players:
a) A responsible depth centre who commits to helping his defensemen down low, lacks confidence at the NHL level, electing to play a passive "shotblock" style and dumping pucks into the offensive zone for a change rather than attempting to make plays
b) An aggressive forward who uses his reach and fluid skating to check opponents, who then confidently uses his strong puck skills and frame to rush the puck through open ice, and with time and space can score some pretty sweet goals with his wrister and hands in-tight
By forcing Jankowski to only play centre, he becomes far too concerned with playing a safe game, and not confident enough in his skills to drive play without being a liability. Add to that the fact that he never really had a natural scoring winger (i.e. Panarin, Gaudreau, Hall etc) and he really was just playing the way a lot of AHL tweeners play - too scared to make a play himself. He was at his best when Jagr and Bennett were doing all the puckhandling work on the line and he could use his own strengths without taking risks.
I would have liked to see Janko get a chance on the wing, and let him defer "responsible" play to guys I felt had a better feel for the position like Backlund, Bennett, Ryan. Janko was better on the PK than he was 5v5 because IMO he was
forced to be more aggressive.