McKeen's looks at some Flames prospects

[sureLoss]

Looks at Jankowski, Hickey, Mattsson, Kylington, Sieloff, Poirier, and Shinkaruk in a fairly decent write up from Ryan Wagman:

http://www.mckeenshockey.com/prospec...algary-flames/

Something to discuss and debate.

[polak]

God I hope #6 pans out.

[Toonage]

Curious if people here see a future on Bennett's wing for Jankowski? Never thought of him as anything other than a centre. Also not sure I agree with the assessment of Sieloff. Smid & Wideman are more likely to be replaced by Wotherspoon, Nakladal (if signed) or even a pick from this year's draft if the Flames choose a D

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Curious if people here see a future on Bennett's wing for Jankowski? Never thought of him as anything other than a centre. Also not sure I agree with the assessment of Sieloff. Smid & Wideman are more likely to be replaced by Wotherspoon, Nakladal (if signed) or even a pick from this year's draft if the Flames choose a D

That's one of the things I have been pondering dependent on if Janko performs at a level that makes sense to pair with Bennett.

He's a bigger player, a better faceoff guy, and is an excellent playmaker, all of which would be a good fit for Bennett.

It would largely depend on a number of factors, including who we pick at #6.

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by polak

God I hope #6 pans out.

I'm sure we all do, but even if he doesn't the Flames are still in pretty good shape moving forward.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Originally Posted by Toonage

Curious if people here see a future on Bennett's wing for Jankowski? Never thought of him as anything other than a centre. Also not sure I agree with the assessment of Sieloff. Smid & Wideman are more likely to be replaced by Wotherspoon, Nakladal (if signed) or even a pick from this year's draft if the Flames choose a D

I think Jankowski projects as a playmaking centre. I don't think he has the grit and jam to be in constant board battles and his skill set fits the centre position well. I think between him and Bennett the more likely one to move to the wing would be Bennett because he has that grit and jam to excel along the boards when he adds a touch more strength.

Strange they mention Sieloff and not Kulak and Wotherspoon. Wotherspoon is a favorite to make the team next fall with his play and his waiver status.

[SuperMatt18]

Along with Sieloff, Adam Ollas Mattsson has me intrigued, as he could fill a role this organization lacks right now.

A big, strong, stay at home d-man. That is still mobile, has a good first pass, and can be a fixture on the PK is really needed.

Will be interesting to see how he figures into the long terms plans of the team, and what has become a really deep defensive core at the prospect level.

We really need to find a way to clear out more deadweight on the roster to open up some bottom line, and bottom pairing jobs for some of these youngsters.

[puckedoff]

I hope we see Djanko suit up for the Flames at some point next season.

[Bingo]

that's quite the detailed write up of prospects

His specifics on Jankowski's hands, shot, and top end speed along with projecting him as a second line LW certainly sounds good.

I've never been one to dump on the Jankowski pick, but I'm also careful not to get carried away expecting too much.

Good read with optimism.

[ricosuave]

Why the big push to get Jank to LW?

Wasn't he always being thought of as a C for us?

[SuperMatt18]

Think it's more to get him into the line up a little sooner - also depends on how committed we are to having Bennett at center.

If the centers long term are Monahan - Bennett - Backlund, then you need to open a top 9 spot for Janko by either shifting him or Bennett to the wing.

[Pierre "Monster" McGuire]

I'll admit, I've kind of been hard on Kylington because of the first two months of his AHL career. I felt he wasn't ready for North American pro and should've done a year in the Dub.

But after he got adjusted to the AHL, the kid looked good. His skating style is kind of weird to watch at first, but it's effective and man he's nifty with the puck. Like the article said, I don't think he's ready for the NHL yet, so if they let him marinate in Stockton next year he could be really friggin' good.

Hickey and Kylington have me excited for the future of this defense.

[Red Menace]

Odd that they didn't mention Andersson at all

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by SuperMatt18

Think it's more to get him into the line up a little sooner - also depends on how committed we are to having Bennett at center.

If the centers long term are Monahan - Bennett - Backlund, then you need to open a top 9 spot for Janko by either shifting him or Bennett to the wing.

I think the key is to have that flexibility.

Look at the Sharks and how they've looked at Marleau as a swing guy that can play the wing to load up the top six, or center if they want to match the Blues depth.

Great option to have.

Plus you can mix up the coverage by having different back check and break out rules if you have guys that play both.

Say first guy back out of Bennett and Jankowski takes the center spot in the defensive zone, other guy takes left wing. Not to mention when a center gets waived from the dot.

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by Bingo

I think the key is to have that flexibility.

Look at the Sharks and how they've looked at Marleau as a swing guy that can play the wing to load up the top six, or center if they want to match the Blues depth.

Great option to have.

Plus you can mix up the coverage by having different back check and break out rules if you have guys that play both.

Say first guy back out of Bennett and Jankowski takes the center spot in the defensive zone, other guy takes left wing. Not to mention when a center gets waived from the dot.

That's why it is great having as many centers as possible. The Flames have Monahan, Bennett, Backlund, Colborne, Jooris, Bouma, Jankowski that are all centers. That flexibility of slotting guys in other positions helps a lot. Jooris will likely have another good chance at a spot next year because he can play all three positions effectively. Flexibility like that helps, especially in case of injuries.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Red Menace

Odd that they didn't mention Andersson at all

I believe they focused solely on players that are AHL but no mention of Gillies either.

[Red Menace]

Originally Posted by Erick Estrada

I believe they focused solely on players that are AHL but no mention of Gillies either.

I seem to have missed that Jankowski, Hickey and Mattsson played in the AHL last season.

[Erick Estrada]

Originally Posted by Red Menace

I seem to have missed that Jankowski, Hickey and Mattsson played in the AHL last season.

Well Jankoswki did. Kind of all over the map I suppose.

[JJ1532]

I'd like to see open auditions to play alongside Bennett during training camp. Shinkaruk, Poirier, Mangiapane and Jankowski should all be given chances to strike up some chemistry with Sam and see if they can make the team out of camp. Very interested to see how those 4 shake out.