Mark "Fricken" Jankowski (aka The Big Jankowski)

[BrownDrake]

Sign him before the draft please...if we fluke out with the 1st overall he probably goes elsewhere

[devo22]

Last year some people even argued that they'd prefer the compensational 2nd rounder that we get if we don't sign him. This year people are actually scared that he doesn't sign with us. Pretty hilarious. I have no doubts that he'll sign with the Flames after his season is done. Thanks to Justin "Norris" Schultz, people are always scared now when it comes to college players, but very few players actually choose to go that route. Jankowski has always seemed like an intelligent and level-headed guy, I'd be very surprised if he chose to screw the organization that took a flyer on him and showed A LOT of trust in him right from the very start.

[Racki]

Originally Posted by devo22

Thanks to Justin "Norris" Schultz, people are always scared now when it comes to college players, but very few players actually choose to go that route.

I know you said it a little bit tongue in cheek but I suspect you might actually be on to something. It appears that for most of these kids it actually seems to be working out better for them when they just go to the teams that drafted them and invested time in them.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by Racki

I know you said it a little bit tongue in cheek but I suspect you might actually be on to something. It appears that for most of these kids it actually seems to be working out better for them when they just go to the teams that drafted them and invested time in them.

I think the trouble with Shultz was more to do with Edmonton rushing him onto the top NHL pairing right away. He could of used some time in the AHL to learn defense or at least started on the bottom pairing.

Shultz is just the latest victim who's NHL career will be much less prosperous than it could of potentially been.

I have a hard time believing that Shultz would still be garbage defensively if he was traded to the Flames instead. We actually have NHL defensemen that he can learn from. Instead he had Andrew 'middle finger' Ference as his leader.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

It's a joke I assume, based on the fact that Weisbrod is over there now and was the driving force behind the Flames drafting Jankowski.

Also, they have recently acquired two Flames prospects, both of whom Weisbrod was high on when he was with the Flames org.

Out of thanks, but yes, got it now. Thanks.

[devo22]

the thing with Schultz is that he was obviously extremely talented. I mean, Anaheim did everything to get him signed (IIRC they had Niedermayer call him a couple times to convince him) and pretty much the whole league wanted to sign him when he became a free agent. His college career was outstanding and he could have become a great NHL defenseman. Too bad that he chose to sign with the one team that wouldn't help him develop as a player and became a second Marc-Andre Bergeron as a result.

Originally Posted by Racki

I know you said it a little bit tongue in cheek but I suspect you might actually be on to something. It appears that for most of these kids it actually seems to be working out better for them when they just go to the teams that drafted them and invested time in them.

tough to say. I think it worked out pretty well for both Blake Wheeler and Kevin Hayes. Schultz obviously made a HUGE mistake. The Corban Knight situation is pretty funny ... rejected Florida, got some chances with Calgary and then was traded back to Florida. But all in all, seemed to work too. A bit too early to judge Zach Hyman and Mike Reilly, but I don't think they regret it too much at this point.

[SuperMatt18]

Correct me if I am wrong as well but isn't Button a close family friend with Jankowski. Wasn't there something about him being babysat by him or his uncle or something like that as a kid.

As long as Button is still in the organization I have no worries that Jankowski will sign here.

[Robbob]

I kind of think the longer path of development for Jankowski was a blessing in disguise (if he can make the next step). No point having him around for the bulk of the rebuild. If he is the real deal, he will be like an additional high draft pick added to the next crop of kids coming in.

[Matty81]

No major alarm bells but this doesn't sound great from my perspective despite the article title.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/f...ect-jankowski/
He basically avoids the question and then has a family member say "he has leverage and 29 other teams would like to sign him". Uh oh

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Correct me if I am wrong as well but isn't Button a close family friend with Jankowski. Wasn't there something about him being babysat by him or his uncle or something like that as a kid.

As long as Button is still in the organization I have no worries that Jankowski will sign here.

Ryan Jankowski is Mark's uncle I believe and a long time scout that Tod Button certainly would know. I believe he's currently the head scout for Hockey Canada.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Matty81

No major alarm bells but this doesn't sound great from my perspective despite the article title.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/f...ect-jankowski/
He basically avoids the question and then has a family member say "he has leverage and 29 other teams would like to sign him". Uh oh

Ron Francis.

(you should have warned people)

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Matty81

No major alarm bells but this doesn't sound great from my perspective despite the article title.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/f...ect-jankowski/
He basically avoids the question and then has a family member say "he has leverage and 29 other teams would like to sign him". Uh oh

“It’s very good,” said Jankowski of the relationship. “I’ve been talking to a lot of guys in the organization all year and keeping tabs. Mr. Treliving too. They’re a top-notch organization.”



yeah, that really worries the hell out of me. It's completely normal for a prospect to focus on his season and especially in the NCAA, where rules about going pro are super strict, I'd expect no different answer to the "will you sign" question.



Typical Francis BS article.

[Enoch Root]

And he doesn't avoid the question. He said the relationship (with the Flames) is good. And right now he is focusing on his season, not on signing with the Flames after the season.

[Matty81]

So straight up, will he sign with Calgary at season's end?

"I hadn't really thought about that"

Should Flames fans be worried?

"I haven't really been thinking about that too much"

"I've been talking to some people and my focus is on this season. I'll let it play out after that."

Don't get me wrong... He says good things about the flames but if that's not avoiding the question... Geez

[getbak]

Originally Posted by Matty81

No major alarm bells but this doesn't sound great from my perspective despite the article title.
http://www.sportsnet.ca/hockey/nhl/f...ect-jankowski/
He basically avoids the question and then has a family member say "he has leverage and 29 other teams would like to sign him". Uh oh

I'm not worried.

You have to remember that these kids have to be careful what they say so they don't get in trouble from the NCAA. The NCAA loves to project the image that their players are dedicated amateur athletes who play for the love of the sport and their education. They will impose sanctions on players if they think there's been tampering by the pro team.

If you remember two years ago, at the Hobey Baker ceremony, Johnny was still deflecting any questions about going pro even though he had already signed the contract (and they just hadn't announced it yet).


The source close to the family was most likely his "Family Advisor", which is NCAA-speak for Agent. Of course his agent is going to sow the seeds of doubt. That's what agents do. How many times have we heard agents talk about all the different teams that their client is considering offers from, only to have the player sign with the team everyone knew he was going to sign with? It happens all the time. Agents have to do what they can to drive up a player's value, or make sure he gets full value even with limited options.

[GranteedEV]

I'm definitely nervous. Thought we should have signed him right away after his third year as you'll never likely get a 2nd round pick forward with this all around package.

Am I worried though? I'll be worried if a week goes by after Jankowski's season is over and he hasn't put pen to paper.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

I'm definitely nervous. Thought we should have signed him right away after his third year as you'll never likely get a 2nd round pick forward with this all around package.

Am I worried though? I'll be worried if a week goes by after Jankowski's season is over and he hasn't put pen to paper.

So you are nervous but not worried. Quite a fine line your walking on.

Jankowski will sign. I'm sure the Flames will tell Jankowski that part of the reason Granlund got traded was to make room for him. Heck it might even be partly true.

Jankowski will sign for the 5% chance of being able to play with Gaudreau.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Ron Francis.

(you should have warned people)

Ron Francis = Good

Eric Francis = Bad

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by undercoverbrother

Ron Francis = Good

Eric Francis = Bad

The article was by Eric Francis though. So = Bad.

[undercoverbrother]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

The article was by Eric Francis though. So = Bad.

Agreed 100%