[News] With the 21st overall pick Flames select C Mark Jankowski

[SebC]

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

I asked this on HF (I know, I know...) but I would like some other opinion's.

Let me ask this;

Mark Jankowski was born 09/13/94
Zemgus Girgensons was born 01/05/94

Since he is over nine months younger than Girgensons could you not realistically compare the numbers he will put up next season in Dubuque to the numbers that Zemgus finished this season with for the exact same program? And what if he puts up similar numbers, or even better numbers? would that not justify this selection without even knowing what the 42nd pick will amount too?

If Girgensons is not considered at reach at 14 now, I don't think Jankowski should be either if he thrives in Dubuque next season.

(Not sure if I explained that properly)
What I am really trying to say is that his age is one of the largest factors in why I am so excited about this pick, and why I don't view it as such a stretch after some reflection.

A boat's a boat, but the mystery box could be anything! It could even be a boat!

[Red John]

Originally Posted by oldschoolcalgary

fans criticize everything from contracts to trades, ice time to line combination, positional play to even effort.

simply because you see something with your own eyes doesn't mean you understand the nuances behind the decisions being made. Simply being able to observe something doesn't make anyone an expert. Especially if the metric being used to qualify it is "leave it to the professionals".

Trades are based on what you've seen from players. Same with contracts. Same with ice time. Same with line combinations. Same with positional play. Same with effort.

That being said, never said that you needed to see something in order to be an expert. But........if you've never seen it, there's a good chance you aren't an expert.

What makes you qualified to have an educated opinion on Mark Jankowski? Just curious.

[Bonded]

Isn't Tuervo super young as well though?
Can't say I am sold on this pick

[Street Pharmacist]

Originally Posted by SebC

A boat's a boat, but the mystery box could be anything! It could even be a boat!

And you know how bad we've wanted a boat!

[oldschoolcalgary]

its certainly possible that the 8 additional months will really help Jankowski, especially if he continues on his upward trending.

Playing a higher level of competition, with the associated bump in coaching, could also help.

That's why it will be interesting to watch his development at the next level...because there's a clearer sense of what the competition actually is.

unlike US High schoolers, the path to the NHL in Canada is typically through the CHL. Jankowski fell through the cracks to a degree due to a late growth/development spurt. But the level of competition could have easily been the reason he looked really good. Or, he simply was really good. Hopefully, for Flames fans, its the latter and not the former

[Canada 02]

Jankowski tested well at the combine; doesn't mean much, except he's a fit athlete

http://www.topendsports.com/sport/ic...sults-2012.htm

[Alberta_Beef]

I like this pick still. Hope I can get as excited about the guy we take in the 2nd round as well.

[HighLifeMan]

Originally Posted by SebC

A boat's a boat, but the mystery box could be anything! It could even be a boat!

What I am referring to is that should he put up strong numbers next season in the USHL (which I fully expect him to) he will most likely have it held against him due to for a fact he would have done so in a secondary junior program after being drafted. The reality however would be that he would only be three months older then what Girgensons was this season.

[FCAV]

Here's the book we have on Jankowski. Figured you all would be interested:

A smooth skating, athletic two-way centre. He has outstanding speed, quick agility and a fluid overall stride. He can add some strength to his legs and improve his skating even more to make it a real weapon. He has dynamic hands that allow him to dangle the puck around defenders on route to the net. He has very impressive vision of the entire ice surface, very impressive passing ability and smarts as he was a step or two ahead of everyone else reading the play at the prep level.

http://futureconsiderations.ca/flame...-21st-overall/

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

I asked this on HF (I know, I know...) but I would like some other opinion's.

Let me ask this;

Mark Jankowski was born 09/13/94
Zemgus Girgensons was born 01/05/94

Since he is over nine months younger than Girgensons could you not realistically compare the numbers he will put up next season in Dubuque to the numbers that Zemgus finished this season with for the exact same program? And what if he puts up similar numbers, or even better numbers? would that not justify this selection without even knowing what the 42nd pick will amount too?

If Girgensons is not considered at reach at 14 now, I don't think Jankowski should be either if he thrives in Dubuque next season.

(Not sure if I explained that properly)
What I am really trying to say is that his age is one of the largest factors in why I am so excited about this pick, and why I don't view it as such a stretch after some reflection.

If Jankowski puts up huge numbers next year it would pretty much show that he should've been considered at least a 10-15 pick this year, and probably would be rated as a top 5-10 or so pick next year.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by Red John

Trades are based on what you've seen from players. Same with contracts. Same with ice time. Same with line combinations. Same with positional play. Same with effort.

That being said, never said that you needed to see something in order to be an expert. But........if you've never seen it, there's a good chance you aren't an expert.

What makes you qualified to have an educated opinion on Mark Jankowski? Just curious.

I'm not.

Opinion is purely based through the filter of what other scouting reports have stated...plus the reality that the level of competition isn't high in canadian high schools. There's a reason why it is very rare for the NHL to draft canadian high schoolers.

with respect, I think i've stated an open mind on Jankowski now that he is a Flame. That said, i was hoping for Tuevo, purely based on the level of competition he's played at and that "his book" has more film.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by HighLifeMan

What I am referring to is that should he put up strong numbers next season in the USHL (which I fully expect him to) he will most likely have it held against him due to for a fact he would have done so in a secondary junior program after being drafted. The reality however would be that he would only be three months older then what Girgensons was this season.

True, but there will also be some kid in next year's draft who is a few days away from the cut-off. And yeah, his age could affect the comparison with Girgensons, but what about Teravainen? Same age, but plays against men.

[Bonded]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/1...rkouts/page/19

According to them, Jankowski did not perform the best.
Oh TT, what could have been

[SuperMatt18]

One reason I am not up in arms too much is because Feaster/Weisbrod know they need this pick to pan out and still went with the "risky" player.

They are the ones with their asses on the line, and with the most to lose if this doesn't work out.

It would have been easy for the management group to pick Girgensons or Teravainen because that would have been the easy decision but they still went with the guy who they felt will be the best player even though they both could be gone before Jankowski makes an impact.

They got their guy and now if he doesn't pan out it is all on them since they went "off the board" but in a way you have to applaud them since they are putting their own reputations on the line.

Weisbrod actually did this once before and ended up looking brilliant. He took a young high school center that had all the raw tools but was lacking experience over the sure thing college player coming off a national championship. The center ended up being the best center in the NBA named Dwight Howard. Different leagues but a very similar situation.

[trublmaker]

Let's see what he does in rookie camp before we chuck him under the bus, the competition there will be telling.

[SebC]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Weisbrod actually did this once before and ended up looking brilliant. He took a young high school center that had all the raw tools but was lacking experience over the sure thing college player coming off a national championship. The center ended up being the best center in the NBA named Dwight Howard. Different leagues but a very similar situation.

It's not that unusual to draft out of US high school in the NBA though, e.g. Kobe Bryant.

[trublmaker]

Originally Posted by SebC

It's not that unusual to draft out of US high school in the NBA though, e.g. Kobe Bryant.

or Lebron

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by trublmaker

Let's see what he does in rookie camp before we chuck him under the bus, the competition there will be telling.

if he goes to rookie camp of course, as an NCAA eligible player he would have to pay his own way

Originally Posted by SebC

It's not that unusual to draft out of US high school in the NBA though, e.g. Kobe Bryant.

it's not that unusual for guys to be drafted out of US prep schools into the NHL either, and from reading different articles it sounds like his prep school plays some of their games against US prep schools.

Jankowski also played in a college prospect tournament in Boston and turned some heads there.

[oldschoolcalgary]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

One reason I am not up in arms too much is because Feaster/Weisbrod know they need this pick to pan out and still went with the "risky" player.

They are the ones with their asses on the line, and with the most to lose if this doesn't work out.

It would have been easy for the management group to pick Girgensons or Teravainen because that would have been the easy decision but they still went with the guy who they felt will be the best player even though they both could be gone before Jankowski makes an impact.

They got their guy and now if he doesn't pan out it is all on them since they went "off the board" but in a way you have to applaud them since they are putting their own reputations on the line.

Weisbrod actually did this once before and ended up looking brilliant. He took a young high school center that had all the raw tools but was lacking experience over the sure thing college player coming off a national championship. The center ended up being the best center in the NBA named Dwight Howard. Different leagues but a very similar situation.

well, another difference is that if Howard didn't go first, he was going to go second anyways...

I agree it was a gutsy choice, so they obviously believe in the kid...but honestly, talk to any team after the first round, and everyone thinks they nabbed a kid they think is a player. Has a scout from any team been 'down' when discussing a drafted player?

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Cheerio

Question, I heard somewhere that since he is playing a year in the USHL after being drafted before going to the NCAA that he could potentially pull a Blake Wheeler and leave us with nothing. Is that true?

He could. Here are the relevant passages from the CBA:

(iii) If a Player drafted at age 18 or 19, who had received a Bona Fide Offer in accordance with Section 8.6(a)(ii) above, becomes a bona fide college student prior to the second June 1 following his selection in the Entry Draft and remains a bona fide college student through the graduation of his college class, his drafting Club shall retain the exclusive rights of negotiation for his services through and including the August 15 following the graduation of his college class.

(iv) If a Player drafted at age 18 or 19, who had received a Bona Fide Offer in accordance with Section 8.6(a)(ii) above, becomes a bona fide college student prior to the second June 1 following his selection in the Entry Draft and does not remain a bona fide college student through the graduation of his college class, his drafting Club shall retain exclusive rights for the negotiation of his services until the fourth June 1 following his selection in the Entry
Draft.

So, if he plays in the USHL next year and goes to the NCAA in 2013, he could leave College in 2016 and become a UFA. I'm sure this was something the Flames asked him about in one of his three interviews with the team.

Keep in mind, even though he's from southern Ontario, he is familiar with Calgary because his grandparents (and other family members?) have lived here all of his life, so he has visited the city.

There are no guarantees, but look at what happened with Erixon, at least the Flames will have Jankowski's rights for 4 years and will likely know what his plans are long before it gets to the point of losing them.


Based on what was said by everyone tonight, if I had to guess, I bet he plays next year in Dubuque, then two years at Providence, then turns pro in 2015 (assuming his development progresses as well as we all hope).