How likely do you think Jankowski will make the team next year?

[FBI]

Yay another Jankowski thread!!

But seriously, his play in the AHL so far has been pretty impressive. The idea that he makes the team next year doesn't sound as far fetched as it once did. 5 points in 6 games. A few of you have been penciling him into your lineups as well.

So from 1-10, 10 being the most likely, 1 being least likely, how likely do you think Janko will make the Flames next year?

[bax]

I don't know, about a 3 maybe?

Treliving has consistently pushed forward the belief that prospects can not over ripen in the minors. Jankowski is still young and can still benefit from a full season with the Heat. I think if he has a strong year, he might get a call up for a cup of coffee, but that's about it.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

2? 3?

He'd have to have a pretty amazing summer of bulking up. I still think you'd want him to learn the pro game at the AHL level and dominate that level first. Where would we play him? Unless there are injuries there's no space for him to play centre at the NHL level.

So for things going against him making the NHL right away:
-physical immaturity, still probably needs another 10-15lbs of muscle
-in regards to the above he's never learned to dominate when stronger than other players because he's never been fully physically developed yet
-limited pro experience
-no open roster spot for him

I'd say his chances are very low. But I'm very high on him as a prospect. I think he has two line centre upside. I just think the right thing for him and for the Flames will be for him to play at least half a year in the minors, maybe more (injuries could accelerate that at any point.)

[mdubz]

Won't make the team, but will get called up and play 3-6 games.

[Trailer Fire]

Unless he utterly craps the bed, he will get a call-up at some point next season. He is currently our best center prospect, and arguably one of our best forward prospects. I honestly don't think he outright makes the team, however. With Monahan, Bennett, and Backlund ahead of him, it will be a difficult time for him. Unless either he, or Bennett, gets moved to the wing.

Honestly, I wouldn't be opposed to moving Bennett to the wing with Janko centering him.

[Heavy Jack]

I think he actually has a pretty good shot at it, he seems to have good prospect camps with us and has been a reliable 2 way player at all levels he's played at which is more important than offensive flair which he seems to have as well.

Ideally Jooris isn't signed, Raymond stays in the minors and Stajan moves over to the left side of the 4th line to help teach Jankowski for his final year.

Stajan - Jankowski - Bouma/Ferland seems like a very reliable/good 4th line with potential to be offensively productive.

I went with a solid 7/10 chance.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Best way to ruin someone's offensive potential and confidence is to play them on the 4th line IMO. I'd way rather have him playing huge minutes in Stockton.

[jg13]

My guess is we see him on the team full time after the deadline next season.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I think he has a reasonable shot to make the team given his ability to play defensive hockey (and he seems to know where to go in Stockton from the get-go), his size and his skating ability.

Plus, unless the Flames can find a better winger to keep up with Monahan and Gaudreau, I can see Jankowski rotated up there with Colborne and Ferland. I think his skills are more complimentary to that line, though I wouldn't assume he will have the consistency yet to stick on it.

If the Flames draft one of Mathews, Laine, Puljujarvi, Dubois or Tkachuk, and make no further moves, I bet he makes the team.

Gaudreau - Monahan - Jankowski
Colborne - Backlund - Frolik
Ferland - Bennett - 1st round pick
Bouma - Stajan - Hathaway/Jooris
Bollig

It will be a competition between him, Shinkaruk and possibly Grant if they decide Grant has 3rd line upside. Jooris might not be re-signed.

And no, I am not basing this on his recent performance in Stockton - though it is nice to see him translating that well off the bat. Small sample sizes are often misleading. I just think he is versatile enough and checks-off a lot of the boxes the Flames are looking for, as well as checking off a lot of the boxes next to the 'bare essentials of a prospect graduating to the NHL' (things like physical maturity, mental maturity, speed and enough defensive acumen not to be too much of a liability).

I think he will have a stronger chance at sticking out of camp than Shinkaruk or Poirier. Grant/Hathaway I can see sticking ahead of him, but on a 4th line role out of camp.

Edit: Before someone claims I am suggesting he become a mainstay on the top line right away (even though I think I clearly said he wouldn't above), this is how I see him working out with the Flames:

Gaudreau - Monahan - Jankowski
Colborne - Backlund - Frolik
Ferland - Bennett - X

OR

Gaudreau - Monahan - Colborne
Janowski - Backlund - Frolik
Ferland - Bennett - X

OR

Gaudreau - Monahan - Ferland
Colborne - Backlund - Frolik
Jankowski - Bennett - X

[Otto-matic]

I don't think he'll have a shot at making the team right off the bat, he has a lot of competition to beat out at centre. If the flames are out of the playoff race - I can see him getting his cup of coffee near the end of the season.

[edslunch]

I think he could surprise and play well enough to make the team, but he will almost certainly be sent down regardless because he just doesn't have the experience.If any centre from Backlund up gets injured he will be the replacement and may be difficult to send back down.

[JJ1532]

I think it depends. I think he won't make the team as a centre, but if he strikes up some chemistry with Monahan and Gaudreau, or with Bennett as a winger(Janko as a winger that is), then that could change things. I think he'll have to have a hell of a training camp to make the team. Wouldn't rule it out, but I'd also say he will open the season with Stockton. First centre to go down injured, he'll probably be the call up.

[GranteedEV]

Last Training Camp Cut.
First Forward Call Up.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Well, barring injury in the off-season (knock on wood), he will get the added advantage of (possibly) prospect camp, but for sure the Penticton tournament. It is just at least a bit more time to show himself against his peers and get a bit of a head-start in getting his timing and skills up to 'game shape'.

[TopChed]

Poll question should be, "How many games will Jankowski play with the Flames?"

I'd be mildly surprised if he made the team out of camp, but I'm sure he'll play some games.

[Cali Panthers Fan]

I'm saying 50/50. He's developed well enough physically, he knows how to play a decent 200 foot game, and he has enough skill to contribute offense. He might not be ready for the responsibilities of the pro game, but if he starts as the 4th line center, I don't see him costing the team any games.

Chances are, he'll start the year in the minors, but be called up due to injury. He's the team's best center prospect, and nothing he's done so far in Stockton makes me think that will change a lot before the fall (drafting Matthews notwithstanding).

Could spell the end of Stajan at center, moving him to wing for the duration of his contract, or flat out trading him.

[cannon7]

Of all of the Flames prospects, I think he has the best chance of making the team next season.

[TorqueDog]

I'm saying about a 4 / 10 chance of making the team out of training camp, though I'd be ecstatic if he did. I think there's very little doubt that he gets a call-up at some point during the season.

[mikephoen]

I think the most likely scenario is injury call up who never goes back down. I still voted 5 though, because I wasn't sure if this poll meant 'makes the Flames out of camp' or 'is a regular by the end of the season.'

I think making the team out of camp is less likely, but him seeing 40+ games (plus playoffs!), is reasonable I think.

[dammage79]

50/50 shot is my guess. Depends on how his summer goes really. A bit more speed and mass and I don't think there's going to be many players like him rolling into camp.

I've suggested for years that Jankowski's offense will bloom once he was out of Providence and I still stand by that. My concern will be if his 200ft game he has worked so hard at rounding out will transfer to the NHL. Along with his Faceoffs.

Could be that guy to Center Bennett. Playmaking skill and size suggests that could be a nice pairing.