[News] Flames reassign Mark Jankowski to Stockton

[Caged Great]

Originally Posted by DJones

That LW depth.

Love that lineup

Now if the flames can get two more quality RW, they should be a good playoff team.

Have to wait until the offseason.

[Huntingwhale]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

I thought he was ok.

I don't think I'd go as far as solid, or good.

I mean, he didn't stand out for being not able to keep up at the NHL level, but he didn't show anything to help cement his place on an NHL roster either. I mean if I wasn't watching specifically for Jankowski, I wouldn't have noticed him.

He played well enough to get another look I think.

I counted at least 4-5 interceptions where he was able to use his reach and get the puck going the other way. Nothing flashy. But he won more faceoffs then he lost and he did exactly what he said he was going to do; keep his game simple.

Definitely earned another look.

[Ashes]

I agree, Jankowski's reach with his 6'4 frame is huge! I thought he did a good job breaking up some plays down low, I just hope we get a better glimpse of his offensive tools next time he's in the lineup. First game jitters and all that is totally understandable though, if nothing else his defensive game looks NHL ready to me.

[The Fonz]

Best part of a Janko goal would be how bad it would burn Ryan Lambert's ass. He was so hard on the kid for years after he was drafted, and now not a peep after he's not only done well in the AHL, but been called up to Flames.

[FBI]

Hoping he gets game 2 tomorrow.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

Really? He already looks like he can bring the bare minimum what Stajan and Freddie bring - faceoffs, defense etc.

And that is why he wont stay. Why have him up here playing fourth line minutes to do what we already get from other guys when we can have him in Stockton getting top minutes doing a lot more?

The guy is 14 games into his professional career. There is no need to rush him. If he plays lights out and forces the team's hand, then that is all to the good. But frankly, your argument for keeping him up is the fact that he is the new and shiny toy you want to play with. That is not a good reason to keep him up once we get healthy.

[cannon7]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

And that is why he wont stay. Why have him up here playing fourth line minutes to do what we already get from other guys when we can have him in Stockton getting top minutes doing a lot more?

The guy is 14 games into his professional career. There is no need to rush him. If he plays lights out and forces the team's hand, then that is all to the good. But frankly, your argument for keeping him up is the fact that he is the new and shiny toy you want to play with. That is not a good reason to keep him up once we get healthy.

For the most part I agree, but I think Jankowski tops out as a middle six player at the NHL-level. So if Gulutzan can slot him in for 2nd/3rd LW/C minutes then I think it would be good for Jankowski's development. But if Gulutzan is going to continue to give him protected fourth line minutes, then I'd rather see him getting #1 C time in Stockton.

That being said, Shinkaruk still looks really raw to me. If Jankowski looks good in game #2 then I would assign Shinkaruk first.

[zukes]

The biggest thing I saw in Jankowski was his smooth skating for such a big guy. He looks slow, but is actually pretty fast. When he was on the back check he was taking long strides but was gaining on guys. I like it!

I think he should get a look for a while and whether he stays is based on his play and what he brings and whether that is in need.

If he is scoring and decent everywhere else he should definitely stay.

If he isn't scoring and is strong everywhere else, it depends on who is injured or not performing. I'd rather him get some chances to play a scoring role, but if he is fitting in, several eventual scorers have started their careers on the 3rd and 4th line. I am almost always of the opinion that if a guy is good enough to play in the NHL and is one of your top 12 or top 6 options, keep him up. The develop players in the AHL crowd makes no sense if the player is a better option to play in the NHL. If he is already a better option than one you have, you keep him up. (not as a part timer 13th F or 7th D though).

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by cannon7

For the most part I agree, but I think Jankowski tops out as a middle six player at the NHL-level. So if Gulutzan can slot him in for 2nd/3rd LW/C minutes then I think it would be good for Jankowski's development. But if Gulutzan is going to continue to give him protected fourth line minutes, then I'd rather see him getting #1 C time in Stockton.

That being said, Shinkaruk still looks really raw to me. If Jankowski looks good in game #2 then I would assign Shinkaruk first.

And that is a possibility, absolutely. Both are almost certainly back on the bus once Gaudreau and Bouma are healthy.

[442scotty]

Too many negative nellies on here.... Unless he completely $@its the bed he's not going anywhere ... He's going to slowly progress at his usual pace and end up at least a 2/3 centre for a long flames career

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

Too many negative nellies on here.... Unless he completely $@its the bed he's not going anywhere ... He's going to slowly progress at his usual pace and end up at least a 2/3 centre for a long flames career

It's not an issue of being a "negative nelly". Even in just 14 games, Jankowski has shown that he really does have good potential to eventually be an everyday NHLer. But in the position he is in - first year pro, injury call-up - "not $@itting the bed" is not enough to stay. At least not right now. If he excels and brings a lot of energy and offence, the story changes. If not, he probably goes back down, continues to develop, and pushes for a full time job down the road. It's all just development cycle.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

And that is why he wont stay. Why have him up here playing fourth line minutes to do what we already get from other guys when we can have him in Stockton getting top minutes doing a lot more?

The guy is 14 games into his professional career. There is no need to rush him. If he plays lights out and forces the team's hand, then that is all to the good. But frankly, your argument for keeping him up is the fact that he is the new and shiny toy you want to play with. That is not a good reason to keep him up once we get healthy.

It depends on your definition of 4th line minutes - if he's playing five minutes a night, I agree you keep him on the farm.

However, if he can skate 13-15 minutes a night (I think he can, but I'm a shipper), his offensive skillset has to play a factor in the final decision. Jankowski has so much more offensive talent than Hamilton or Stajan, yet he doesn't have the typical dropoff in defensive play you normally see in rookies (especially centres).

For a team that is starved for offense and really struggles to win games in regulation, I think you benefit more by keeping him up. The kid is 22 - they're not handing him the #2C slot on TSN three minutes after drafting him.

Give him more ice time. He brings things to the table our other options simply do not.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

It's not an issue of being a "negative nelly". Even in just 14 games, Jankowski has shown that he really does have good potential to eventually be an everyday NHLer. But in the position he is in - first year pro, injury call-up - "not $@itting the bed" is not enough to stay. At least not right now. If he excels and brings a lot of energy and offence, the story changes. If not, he probably goes back down, continues to develop, and pushes for a full time job down the road. It's all just development cycle.

You're right in the sense that there's no point in him staying up to play terrible minutes with scrubs. I've been a critic of this pick since day one and I'm admitting that I'm impressed he's managed to come this far already. As a team, if you're fine with this kid turning into a Stajan, then by all means, leave him up. If you hope this former first round pick and years of development evolve into something more, you have to continue the patient approach and send him down to continue growing.

[Oil Stain]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

You're right in the sense that there's no point in him staying up to play terrible minutes with scrubs. I've been a critic of this pick since day one and I'm admitting that I'm impressed he's managed to come this far already. As a team, if you're fine with this kid turning into a Stajan, then by all means, leave him up. If you hope this former first round pick and years of development evolve into something more, you have to continue the patient approach and send him down to continue growing.

Matt Stajan scored 39 points in the NHL at the age of 22.

Flames fans should be overjoyed if Jankowski's career comes anywhere close to Stajan's.

[Resolute 14]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern2814

For a team that is starved for offense and really struggles to win games in regulation, I think you benefit more by keeping him up. The kid is 22 - they're not handing him the #2C slot on TSN three minutes after drafting him.

Give him more ice time. He brings things to the table our other options simply do not.

You are projecting based on what you hope will happen. Jankowski needs to demonstrate that he will bring offence at the NHL level right now, and he has very few games to do so. Keeping him up because you hope he does simply is not going to happen.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Oil Stain

Matt Stajan scored 39 points in the NHL at the age of 22.

Flames fans should be overjoyed if Jankowski's career comes anywhere close to Stajan's.

They'll probably be fine with it, but I doubt overjoyed would be used.

[442scotty]

The only way he's going to learn is if he stays up... Makes no sense to send him down when he's better than AHL quality... My bet is that they slowly work him into the lineup starting with more practice time which he has not had at the nhl level

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by 442scotty

The only way he's going to learn is if he stays up... Makes no sense to send him down when he's better than AHL quality... My bet is that they slowly work him into the lineup starting with more practice time which he has not had at the nhl level

Plenty to still learn in the AHL, Jankowski was actually a little cool upon being recalled, zero points in his previous three. Still lots to learn at that level.

[Calgary4LIfe]

It is only one game, but I saw "NHL-ready".

Now, some prospects take time to warm up and improve. Some prospects start off great, and then start getting overwhelmed. Which way is Jankowski going?

Nobody knows at this point. It has been one game. If Gulutzan isn't going to play him in the upcoming games, then please send him down so he can get into some games. However, I think it is time we all reserve judgement on whether he should stay or not, and one game in which the entire team looked listless (outside of him and Ferland) is simply not enough of a sample size to know.

I would be disappointed if 'all' he became was the next Stajan, but that isn't bad value for a 21st overall pick in a weak draft. I think he will be a much better player in the long run. I think he can legitimately become a 2nd line center in this league that plays well in all 3 zones and is a coach's dream.

[GreenLantern2814]

Originally Posted by Resolute 14

You are projecting based on what you hope will happen. Jankowski needs to demonstrate that he will bring offence at the NHL level right now, and he has very few games to do so. Keeping him up because you hope he does simply is not going to happen.

Perhaps a bit, but I don't think it's a stretch to say Mark Jankowski has more offensive skill than Freddie and Stajan. Those two have combined for six points this year, and Stajan has all of them.

Gaudreau-Monahan-Brouwer
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Bennett-Jankowski-Ferland
4th line

Give him another reasonably skilled linemate and sheltered minutes, and I can see him performing at a 25-point pace. It's up to him to do it, but I don't think that's unreasonable or out of reach.

I can't imagine any situation where we get 25 points out of Stajan or Hamilton.