[News] Flames announce 2017/18 opening day roster. Jankowski assigned to Stockton

[gargamel]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Every post I see with: "Freddie Hamilton made it but Jankowski got demoted!" gets passed over by me. This is a silly argument. Freddie has been a pro at not playing. 26 games played last year. Just over 1/4 of the games. In what world would it make sense to have Jankowski take his spot? Why are people crying about not demoting a Freddie Hamilton so that Jankowski can take his spot on the roster? ...

If that's what people were arguing, I'd agree, but it's not (at least not everyone). If Freddie were sent to the AHL, Stajan could sit in the pressbox and Jankowski could get some minutes on the 4th line. Whether or not that would be ideal is up for debate, but it's not a silly argument.

[JerryUnderscore]

Originally Posted by gargamel

If that's what people were arguing, I'd agree, but it's not (at least not everyone). If Freddie were sent to the AHL, Stajan could sit in the pressbox and Jankowski could get some minutes on the 4th line. Whether or not that would be ideal is up for debate, but it's not a silly argument.

But Stajan is what you want from a fourth line player. Defensively responsible and able to pot a few goals. Stajan should be on the fourth line, either as the centre or on the wing.

If they could trade Brouwer, I'd be comfortable with a Stajan - Jankowski - Lazar fourth line. Bench Glass except for the handful of games where they need serious toughness.

[Beninho]

I would like Janko to at least be getting 4th line minutes just to have him in the lineup because the flames are a better team with him then without him. I feel this team has too much loyalty to certain veterans and GG's comments about Stajan lament that for me. No matter what Janko did in pre-season this team was never gonna put him in over Stajan, which is extremly irititating.

[Strange Brew]

I don't see how playing Jankowski in any way adversely impacts the teams cap. The bad cap hits like Stajan and Brouwer are here, whether Jankowski plays or not. Personally I'd have Stajan in the press box and play Jankowski. Glass, Hamilton, Hathaway and Lazar all seem somewhat redundant and don't all need to be on the big club. Brouwer too but stuck with him. Maybe that's what ultimately happens.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by kehatch

I will close with this. In a cap league the difference between being a contender or not being a contender is often the ability to add an impact player from your system. An impact player on an ELC is pure gold in a cap system.

If you have a young player on a budget contract ready for the NHL and capable of making a difference then you play him.

Tanner Glass, Freddie Hamilton, or Garnet Hathaway playing 8 minutes or less a night won't be the difference. Matt Stajan taking the occasional defensive zone draw won't be the difference.

Jankowski might be a difference maker. There is still plenty of time to get him in the roster. But after the camp we just had it is discouraging to see the coaches and management prioritize veterans and grinders over him.

Yes, budget contracts are critical.

Yes, Glass, F Hamilton and Hathaway are not impact players (every team has 4th liners that aren't impact players).

But you seem to have skipped over mentioning Tkachuk and his ELC. You also neglected to mention Bennett and his $1.95M contract. Or Jagr and his $1+1M contract. The Flames have budget contracts. And the Flames are contenders. So your complaint has no teeth.

You also continue to ignore the fact that Jankowski could be back with the team as early as game 2. He is not an impact player yet. But he absolutely could be, at some point this year, at which point he will be helping the Flames compete. So again, your complaint is empty.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by GoJetsGo

Part of my problem with this discussion is you had the same tone in the Tanner Glass thread calling anyone who didn't like it out for whining about the "earned never given" thing, concretely concluding Glass's four pre-season games proved he should get a contract.

Um, what? I said, as did many, that Glass earned his contract by playing well in pre-season, the exact same argument many used to justify their anger about Jankowski. Pretty straight forward, and no need for you to attempt to escalate it. There is no crime against the 'always earned, never given' dogma that some people use as a rallying cry to criticize any decision that they didn't personally agree with.

I'm not overly upset about it (it's a league minimum easily demotable if it doesn't work) but I don't agree. He did throw a lot of hits and didn't look bad, but to me it was a tiny sample size for a guy who has a huge sample size of being a non-factor.

Putting that aside, you can't talk people down telling them to accept it because Glass earned it and then turn around and tell people not to be upset when Jankowski didn't (for now).

Where did I ever say that Jankowski didn't earn it. In fact, I have stated many times, in many threads, that Jankowski did earn it. He earned it with flying colours IMO. The only thing I have argued in this thread is that there is no need to get upset because earning it can mean more than simply opening night. Every year some fans get so upset about the opening night roster, like it is going to be the only roster for the entire year. And if a player isn't on that specific roster, well it is somehow an atrocity against all things decent. I am simply saying that earning a spot can, and sometimes does, take place at a time other than game 1.

He has earned it and then some. In a much more meaningful and impactful way.

I said a page ago, I don't like it at all, but I understand this may be a paper transaction and he may not even leave Calgary this week. I'm sure he'll be back.

Still, the optics suck, and I can see why people are upset with the notion. Until we know he'll be back (and how soon), people have every right to be upset that our most talented prospect (who earned a spot) has been demoted on paper because we offered a one-way contract to guy who was awful in the AHL last year.

[PepsiFree]

It seems like Jankowski was the easiest to send down, so they sent him down. I imagine either a Trade is being worked on in order to make room, but I understand this from a team-dynamic perspective. Freddie is really the only other player you could send down without hurting the team or the player’s value (thus hurting negotiations in a trade talk), but Freddie also serves what the Flames feel is a worthwhile purpose.

I have no problem with an unproven player spending a little more time in Stockton, and I’m confident he’ll be back upwoth enough time to make an honest push for the Calder.

[BigFlameDog]

I think everyone forgets that Stajan is actually very good in his role, I doubt that Janko is ready to step right in and replace what Stajan brings to that spot.

People are wrapped up in his age and salary, Janko and Stajan should not be the comparison.

[djsFlames]

I feel like Brouwer could've sat for game one. Janko would be a better placeholder for Jagr.

[Toonage]

They couldn't / won't send Freddie down. He requires waivers. He might be around as a handshake deal or promise to Dougie (my opinion). So what happens if Freddie is claimed? Yeah, unlikely, but what if he is? What do you tell Dougie? How does he react? Why risk it?

[northcrunk]

Originally Posted by BigFlameDog

I think everyone forgets that Stajan is actually very good in his role, I doubt that Janko is ready to step right in and replace what Stajan brings to that spot.

People are wrapped up in his age and salary, Janko and Stajan should not be the comparison.

We will see how he plays. If the pre-season is any indicator Stajan has lost a step and might not be quick enough anymore.

[GoJetsGo]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Um, what? I said, as did many, that Glass earned his contract by playing well in pre-season, the exact same argument many used to justify their anger about Jankowski. Pretty straight forward, and no need for you to attempt to escalate it. There is no crime against the 'always earned, never given' dogma that some people use as a rallying cry to criticize any decision that they didn't personally agree with.

Where did I ever say that Jankowski didn't earn it. In fact, I have stated many times, in many threads, that Jankowski did earn it. He earned it with flying colours IMO. The only thing I have argued in this thread is that there is no need to get upset because earning it can mean more than simply opening night. Every year some fans get so upset about the opening night roster, like it is going to be the only roster for the entire year. And if a player isn't on that specific roster, well it is somehow an atrocity against all things decent. I am simply saying that earning a spot can, and sometimes does, take place at a time other than game 1.

You posted in the Glass thread that people whine about the 'always earned' thing as a means of you justifying his signing. Then in this thread turned around and got angry with people on the other side of the street accusing them of whining about the 'always earned' bit when Jankowski was sent down. Just seemed like double speak to me.

Again, I was pretty clear in my post I agree with you that he'll likely be back soon and this is all likely posturing. I'm just saying, I can see why people are upset with the mere optics of this move after how great Jankowski was in camp. I know you thought he earned it as well, I was talking about how the act of his being sent down (with no further comment on it at this time) makes it appear as though he didn't until we know otherwise. I get how people can find that disagreeable on the surface.

[burnitdown]

Originally Posted by Toonage

They couldn't / won't send Freddie down. He requires waivers. He might be around as a handshake deal or promise to Dougie (my opinion). So what happens if Freddie is claimed? Yeah, unlikely, but what if he is? What do you tell Dougie? How does he react? Why risk it?

I hope he reacts like a professional and realizes we can't burn a roster spot for the next few years just to keep him happy? If Freddie can't make the grade, he will have to live with playing in the minors or retire and join Dougie on road trips.

[northcrunk]

Why does Dougie need a sidekick?

[jaikorven]

I think that a couple things are being overlooked possibly. This team has some great depth this year and only a select few players have the chance of going down with NO/ZERO chance of being lost. Jankowski is one of them. Also, asset management requires the Flames to keep players like Brower up in hopes that he can still be moved. If he gets demoted then the chance of any trade drops significantly.

[Ruttiger]

Originally Posted by northcrunk

Why does Dougie need a sidekick?

I suspect there are some underlying issues with Dougie that are made easier for him by having his brother around. Just speculation on my part.

[flambers]

Originally Posted by BigFlameDog

I think everyone forgets that Stajan is actually very good in his role, I doubt that Janko is ready to step right in and replace what Stajan brings to that spot.

People are wrapped up in his age and salary, Janko and Stajan should not be the comparison.

For sure, however I would not want the Flames to resign him.

Stajan main strength is his leadership and experience.

He has a clear advantage to Jankowski in this aspect.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by Gaskal

Think it was a matter of exposing Freddie to waivers, vs what is likely going to be a paper transaction for Janko.

Freddie would be snapped up by Vancouver if he was waived.

Because "two Hamiltons".

[edslunch]

The guy who really doesn't fit is Lazar. He needs playing time to develop just as much as Jankowski does. Where does he get that - spelling off Brouwer on the 4th line RW? If there's one guy who ought to be in Stockton both on merit and to get some heavy reps it's Lazar. This feels like another Ortio situation - no room to play him but too afraid to lose him on waivers.

[JohnnyT]

Originally Posted by Ruttiger

I suspect there are some underlying issues with Dougie that are made easier for him by having his brother around. Just speculation on my part.

Maybe not even underlying issues per say, but if Dougie plays better when Freddie is around then I could see why they would want to keep Freddie. At the end of the day he's not the reason Jankowski isn't here, they clearly want to play him at centre and unless that changes Stajan is the sticking point