2015 Flames Development Camp - July 6-10 UPD: Schedule and Roster announced

[codynw]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Sooooo. Jankowski is ready for pro? This camp is going to raise his final NCAA years expectations immensely. Don't get too high on him I think, I still believe Providences style of play with cap Jankos offensive output.

Is he finally going to be the #1 centre?

I just want him to be a point per game. I don't think that's too unrealistic.

[Nehkara]

White dominates shootout, winning 5-0. Standing ovation from the crowd at the end and a long salute to the crowd from the players.

[heep223]

How did Klimchuk look?

[Nehkara]

Jankowski looked amazing but he needs to carry it through to the other camps if he attends.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by codynw

Is he finally going to be the #1 centre?

I just want him to be a point per game. I don't think that's too unrealistic.

By the looks of things I don't think Jankowski is going to give coach Leeman much of a choice in the matter of who their #1 C is.

My expectation for him doesn't revolve around his PPG but more about fine tuning the faceoffs and defensive side of his game. The points I truly believe will arrive when he turns pro. Boy do I have a feeling that he can supplant some other guys at center on the Flames.

[GioforPM]

If Backlund is a 4th line C that's obviously exceptionally good. However, I'd figure you'd eventually trade him to a team where he'd get better minutes, for players we need, and use a Shore, Colborne or maybe Granlund if he develops more on the 4th line.

[Bingo]

centers are assets ... if you can get two of them to play LW/C or RW/C you are protected from waive outs, and have options on the PK too.

Never a bad problem to have.

[Robbob]

Originally Posted by codynw

Is he finally going to be the #1 centre?

I just want him to be a point per game. I don't think that's too unrealistic.

It may be with the style/system Providence plays.

[sureLoss]

Hate to be the wet blanket, but Jankowski has been skating for weeks before this camp began while some of these guys just touched the ice for the first time in months.

Just saying.

Still a good sign he is one of the better players at camp.

[Nehkara]

Originally Posted by heep223

How did Klimchuk look?

Decent. Not very noticeable.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Bingo

centers are assets ... if you can get two of them to play LW/C or RW/C you are protected from waive outs, and have options on the PK too.

Never a bad problem to have.

Of course you are right. I just don't think Backlund would be too happy with 4th line minutes (nor should he be), and I'm not sure Jankowski is well-served playing wing. I suppose Backlund could play wing, but he never has to my recollection.

[SuperMatt18]

Backlund has played wing in Sweden.

IIRC correctly played on Berglunds wing for the international team and during the lockout.

[heep223]

Generally speaking centers can play wing, it's the easiest position to play.

[Titan]

Bennett came out and has been signing autographs for 30 minutes with no end in sight. Good to see.

[Titan]

Double post

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by heep223

Generally speaking centers can play wing, it's the easiest position to play.

It's really hard to quit trying to play centre when you're moved to the wing, though. You can get bored and start floating around, instead of staying on your point, as you are so used to being everywhere.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by heep223

Generally speaking centers can play wing, it's the easiest position to play.

Yeah, that's obviously true. Backlund is a LH shot, which doesn't help. A line of Backlund/Jankowski/Frolik would be really good at two-way play.

[Fire]

Originally Posted by Nehkara

Flames should sign Tyson Baillie fast before someone else does.

Has he gone un-drafted in one or two drafts? I'm surprised a team wouldn't have risked a late pick on the guy. He seems to have the offensive talents. What is his negatives besides his size?

[MrMastodonFarm]

The Mark Jankowski we've seen this week is head and shoulders above the kid we saw three years ago for the first time. All those things we wanted him to get better at, he has. Is strong on the puck, strong on the boards, is more assertive and looked like a real leader out there.

His hockey smarts are at high levels, he thinks the game quickly. So many tiny little plays, hold onto the puck a second longer at this moment etc... just screams that he's a guy who understands the game, and all the little games within the game.

Don't know his summer schedule but I hope a chunk of it continues to be in Calgary working on his skating and skills. While other guys have apparently been off for months Jankowski continued to work, that's not a wet blanket that's how guys get better, working when others aren't.

[Finger Cookin]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Of course you are right. I just don't think Backlund would be too happy with 4th line minutes (nor should he be), and I'm not sure Jankowski is well-served playing wing. I suppose Backlund could play wing, but he never has to my recollection.

The Flames have good role models up front in Stajan and Jones who demonstrate how to be professionals and play the role you're given without making a fuss. Backlund's also been a pro long enough that, if Jankowski is ready to play as an every day center in the NHL in 2 seasons, he could slide down to being a 3b (I would expect him to still get important ice time in the third periods of games and on the PK) and still go about his business.

After not having centers for so long, I am thrilled the Flames have actual depth at the position and I hope they do everything possible to keep that depth. It would be great in two seasons time (17-18 season) to have a 28 year old Backlund as an option to press the other three centers (Monahan 23, Jankowski 23, Bennett 21) to keep their play at a high level and earn their minutes night in and night out.