I think part of the reason why they picked Jankowski was the long-standing need for a #1 C. It was a 'hail mary' of sorts. They did get every scout in the Flames org rotated in to view Jankowski at least once. For me, it was a fascinating pick for so many reasons. It took a long time for Jankowski to develop enough to join the team, and his first season was really, really good. Heck, every single one of his goals in his first season were goal scorer's goals. Second season was better statistically from what I remember, but scored more 'lucky goals' that year. Then the wheels fell off in the third season.
Going from Gulutzan in his rookie year, to Bill Peters in his second year, to Bill Peters/Geoff Ward in his third year - I felt like it was a mistake letting him go after his first disappointing season. However, since then he just hasn't got much traction. He has led the AHL in points not long ago (or was a least very close last time I had checked that year), but just hasn't been a full-season player at any time outside of Calgary. Hopefully he will stick in Carolina. Certainly a great start for him.
I can't help but cheer him on. It wasn't his fault that the Flames picked him where they did, then directly compared him to Joe Nieuwendyk, and then stated he was going to be the best player from the draft. Then he had 3 coaches in 3 years, and left unsigned. Hopefully he does well in Carolina and gets a half-decent retirement deal there or somewhere else.
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