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

[dammage79]

Can't wait for the Janko unchained memes to roll over next few years

[sureLoss]

Darren Haynes @DarrenWHaynes
Mark Jankowski notched his 25th goal in Stockton's 5-4 win, tying Markus Granlund (2013-14) for most by #Flames AHL rookie in last 10 years.

[Moneyhands23]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Darren Haynes @DarrenWHaynes
Mark Jankowski notched his 25th goal in Stockton's 5-4 win, tying Markus Granlund (2013-14) for most by #Flames AHL rookie in last 10 years.

The Janitor may just clean up!

[dying4acup]

Janko will play at least one more game as a Flame this season. Janko will be a Black Ace when the time comes.

Janko is completing his one and only AHL season. He's not going back.

Bennett isn't going to see a game at centre next season.

[MisterJoji]

Originally Posted by dying4acup

Janko will play at least one more game as a Flame this season. Janko will be a Black Ace when the time comes.

Janko is completing his one and only AHL season. He's not going back.

Bennett isn't going to see a game at centre next season.

I would be so fine with that if Jankowski can effectively center the 3rd line.

[Lanny_McDonald]

I still contend that Jankowski is a Backlund replacement. Backlund's value is probably the highest it has ever been and the Flames need to wrestle with the reality of what Backlund's salary demands are going to be in the future. If they believe they can sign him long term to Brouwer or Frolik type money, then they have a keeper. If they think he's going to demand more money, they may have to move him while his value is high. That is why keeping players churning through the pipeline.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by New Era

I still contend that Jankowski is a Backlund replacement. Backlund's value is probably the highest it has ever been and the Flames need to wrestle with the reality of what Backlund's salary demands are going to be in the future. If they believe they can sign him long term to Brouwer or Frolik type money, then they have a keeper. If they think he's going to demand more money, they may have to move him while his value is high. That is why keeping players churning through the pipeline.

I would have said the same as recent as December, but I think he's become more important.

He's a loyal player so I don't think he'll go overboard on demands, but I think he's no longer that niche third line center you'd like to keep to support Monahan and Bennett.

He's part of the engine now.

[dammage79]

Of all the players, I think Backlund is a lifer. He will get a raise but he's not going to break the bank.

[GranteedEV]

People overthink this whole "center" thing. It's better to have too many centers than to have just-enough. The Sharks have Thornton/Pavelski/Marleau/Couture/Hertl, all guys who are efffective down the middle but that doens't mean they're always playing the position. The Lightning have had a freak season losing Stamkos, what do you do if we lose Monahan like that? Next guy up. The Kings had Kopitar, Richard, Carter, and an at-the-time effective Stoll, and actually had to play Carter at RW during their first cup run, and yet now they're playing Carter as essentially their top scoring center.

I foresee all of Backlund/Monahan/Jankowski/Bennett being important centers for the Flames at different stages, and it is not written in stone where any of the four end up on our depth chart down the middle as they all bring very different elements. I'd argue our team has been unusually healthy this season, but any given year that could go way south.

[EldrickOnIce]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Of all the players, I think Backlund is a lifer. He will get a raise but he's not going to break the bank.

Backlund is worth 6M long term as a UFA.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

People overthink this whole "center" thing. It's better to have too many centers than to have just-enough. The Sharks have Thornton/Pavelski/Marleau/Couture/Hertl, all guys who are efffective down the middle but that doens't mean they're always playing the position. The Lightning have had a freak season losing Stamkos, what do you do if we lose Monahan like that? Next guy up. The Kings had Kopitar, Richard, Carter, and an at-the-time effective Stoll, and actually had to play Carter at RW during their first cup run, and yet now they're playing Carter as essentially their top scoring center.

I foresee all of Backlund/Monahan/Jankowski/Bennett being important centers for the Flames at different stages, and it is not written in stone where any of the four end up on our depth chart down the middle as they all bring very different elements.

Agreed. Good centers can play the wing but a winger isnt very likely to ever play center.

Hopefully Lazar can be a C/W too because unlike all the guys you have listed hes a right shot.

One day down the road hopefully we see something like:

Gaudreau - Monahan - ???????
Tkachuk - Backlund - ???????
Bennett - Jankowsi - Lazar

With the giys in bold all able to play center when needed to provide that depth.

[Monahan For Mayor]

I'd rather trade Bennet for a good young rw than play him on the LW.

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

I'd rather trade Bennet for a good young rw than play him on the LW.

Yeah, but then you lose that center depth we are talking about in case of injuries.

Besides, that whole "3rd line" hasn't proven they can be full time productive NHLers at this point.

[SportsJunky]

I'd rather hang on to Bennett. He's done everything that's been asked of him. He's going to be a gooder. Seeing him fight Trouba a couple of weeks back sealed it for me. He's the kind of guy I want on the Calgary Flames.

[tvp2003]

Originally Posted by Bunk

Top 9 next year:

Gaudreau-Monahan-Ferland
Tkachuk-Backlund-Frolik
Bennett-Jankowski-X

Brouwer needs to earn that spot. To have him simply be a fourth line guy would be a huge waste IMO.

Long term I would love to slot Lazar on the third line, but he'll have to continue to improve because he's still at least a year away.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by Roof-Daddy

Agreed. Good centers can play the wing but a winger isnt very likely to ever play center.

Hopefully Lazar can be a C/W too because unlike all the guys you have listed hes a right shot.

One day down the road hopefully we see something like:

Gaudreau - Monahan - ???????
Tkachuk - Backlund - ???????
Bennett - Jankowsi - Lazar

With the giys in bold all able to play center when needed to provide that depth.

How do you pencil in Lazar long term but not Ferland?

[Roof-Daddy]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

How do you pencil in Lazar long term but not Ferland?

I was just listing natural centers at first but then decided to put Johnny and Tkachuk in because they are clearly core pieces at wing.

[powderjunkie]

I'd rather trade away Brouwer (or Frolik) at a minor loss (ie. sweetening the deal with an asset if necessary), than trade Backlund (presumably for quality futures).

[edn88]

Originally Posted by New Era

I still contend that Jankowski is a Backlund replacement. Backlund's value is probably the highest it has ever been and the Flames need to wrestle with the reality of what Backlund's salary demands are going to be in the future. If they believe they can sign him long term to Brouwer or Frolik type money, then they have a keeper. If they think he's going to demand more money, they may have to move him while his value is high. That is why keeping players churning through the pipeline.

Backlund's value to Calgary is as high as it is for any other team. If you could trade for a player like Backlund you would.

Good teams would never trade away a player like Backlund at this point.

Trading away players when they are at their max is a loser game - that is when you want to have that player. Otherwise you are just drafting new players and never moving forward.

If Backlund was on the Blackhawks, Red Wings etc, no way he would be moved at this point in his career.

[Fire]

Get Backlund signed to a 5x5yr extension and move Bennett to the wing. I would try Tkachuk with Jankowski next season. If it works the Flames could have 3 dangerous lines.