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

[Red Menace]

He didn't specify centers...but I imagine there is quite a few in that partial list I provided.

[codynw]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Do name me dozens and dozens of above average NHL Centers picked after the the 1st round.

Just from that list.

Pavelski, J.
Zetterberg, H.
O'Reilly, R.
Krejci, D.
Backes, D.
Bergeron, P.
Ribeiro, M.
Stepan, D.
Stastny, P.
Plekanec, T.
Datsyuk, P.
Soderberg, C.
Henrique, A.
Smith, C.

And that's not including guys like Benn and Hudler who have spent time at center, but are mostly wingers.

I'd still rather see what Jankowski becomes than have a 2nd round pick though.

[Red Menace]

I'd rather have Jankowski too.....
was just commenting about a blatantly false post by someone.

[Yamer]

Originally Posted by Red Menace

typically it doesn't take 4-5 years to figure out if a prospect is going to make it or not...if it does take that long they are very likely not going to make it.
Let's hope Janko is the exception.

Well, right out of the gate Jankowski wasn't a typical prospect. I think the general consensus at the time was that he was a project, 2nd round pick with a tremendous ceiling.

Most people thought he was (at best) 3-4 years out from making the show, and he's right on track for that. The best news for Flames fans is that he is trending upwards and developing a skill set some of us (me included) didn't know he had.

In fact, the way he has matured mentally and physically by significant steps each year since he left high school is salivatingly exciting.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I am still confused as to why people still have so much angst over this pick. Who are people upset about not selecting?

Teravainen? The diminutive 'center' (pre-draft, may speculated he wouldn't be able to cut it as a center due to his size - and those prognostications have rung true) who isn't exactly setting the world on fire?

Maatta - solid defencemen for sure, but I would be very worried about his long-term career due to seemingly continuous health concerns.

Girgensons? Mr. 3rd line center ceiling? I like him, but it isn't exactly like he is something to really cry over.

Hertl? Outside of an outstanding stretch - and an especially outstanding game prompting a hilarious quote from a teammate - is he really something that people are upset at missing out on? It wasn't like he was on anyone's radar either - barely a mention of Hertl leading up to the draft on these boards.

Did I miss anyone?

I just don't get the "It was a mistake for the Flames to select Jankowski when there were other safer picks available" mantra. What are these 'safer picks'? Why does "Project" = "Gambling"? Does the incredible amount of scouting the Flames did not count for squat? Were they not at EVERY SINGLE one of his games before the midpoint of his draft season? Did they not send each and every single one of their scouts to take a look at him?

Yet, he was a 'gamble' of a pick that was a mistake, there were other safer and better players available (like whom really?) and it is just 'lucky' that he is working out thus far.

As for him signing, I would bet he does. I am sure Treliving has told him he is valued, and has shown where in the lineup he sees him playing. We all know the Flames are severely lacking in top 6 skilled players with size - I am sure he knows it too. Flames will hopefully be able to burn-off a year and get him his signing bonus ahead of any other team in the NHL regardless of how far Providence goes (since Flames are making the playoffs!). I am sure they have a good relationship with him.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by codynw

Just from that list.

Pavelski, J. - 2003
Zetterberg, H. - 1999
O'Reilly, R. - 2009
Krejci, D. - 2004
Backes, D. - 2003
Bergeron, P. - 2003
Ribeiro, M. - 1998
Stepan, D. - 2008
Stastny, P. - 2005
Plekanec, T. - 2001
Datsyuk, P. - 1998
Soderberg, C. - 2004
Henrique, A. - 2008
Smith, C. - 2009

And that's not including guys like Benn and Hudler who have spent time at center, but are mostly wingers.

So.. that's 14 centers. 1 of which is Krejci, who I referenced in my initial post as a fluke type of pick. 5 of which were drafted after 2005 (10 drafts ago)

If we average 30 second round to seventh round picks a year between 2005 and 2010, that'd be, what, a 5-in-900 chance of an above average center past the first round.

I would personally take a wager on Jankowski having a greater than 0.5% chance of being an above average NHL center. Maybe that chance is 10% or 20% or 25% but it's still a chance.

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Teravainen? The diminutive 'center' (pre-draft, may speculated he wouldn't be able to cut it as a center due to his size - and those prognostications have rung true) who isn't exactly setting the world on fire?

Every time someone posts Teravainen in this thread, I'm going to post that I think Granlund is just as good. Maybe now that Granlund is on a hot bit of a streak in the NHL playing with competent linemates, and Teravainen isn't on that playoff hot streak, I'll get someone to see my side of that.

[flamesfever]

Just tell him he may be playing with Johnny Hockey, whose ability to set him up will ensure his success in the NHL.

[sureLoss]

Corey Pronman isn't a fan.

Corey Pronman @coreypronman
Not a huge fan. Not a zero chance to be an NHLer, but I'd say it's unlikely.

Randy Sportak @SUNRandySportak
@coreypronman
I'm curious to know what you feel is missing from Jankowski's game.

Corey Pronman @coreypronman
@SUNRandySportak he's playing well in the NCAA as a senior but not sure the off-puck play is there for the pro game, don't love pace either.

Corey Pronman @coreypronman
@SUNRandySportak I'm also always skeptical of guys becoming magically better as a NCAA senior. It's ~ to CHL overage "production"

[Fire of the Phoenix]

I wonder how many times Pronman has seen Jankowski play?

I'm assuming he felt the same way about Kevin Hayes...

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Well I'm not a fan of Pronman. He's just a wannabe scout just like many of us, he happens to catch a few more games than most of us but his opinion is far from expert

[mdubz]

Originally Posted by Fire of the Phoenix

I wonder how many times Pronman has seen Jankowski play?

I'm assuming he felt the same way about Kevin Hayes...

My guess is he hasn't even watched him play this season if he's spewing garbage like that. Jankowski has been highly praised for his defensive game.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by mdubz

My guess is he hasn't even watched him play this season if he's spewing garbage like that. Jankowski has been highly praised for his defensive game.

Not just this season either. In fact, the big question with Jankowski has been whether or not his offensive game would develop. His defensive play has been strong for a long time.

[Enoch Root]

"not sure the off-puck play is there"

He either doesn't know what he's talking about or hasn't seen Jankowski play much. That is probably MJ's biggest strength.

I find myself disagreeing with Pronman far more often than I agree with him.

[Vulcan]

To me Pronman has a niche players need to fit into otherwise they aren't any good. I take his ratings with a grain of salt.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by Vulcan

To me Pronman has a niche players need to fit into otherwise they aren't any good. I take his ratings with a grain of salt.

He loves the Shinkaruk / Nylander / Ehlers type.

And he seems to hate anyone with size.

[dammage79]

I can get behind the love for Nylander and Ehlers. Really anyone with a set of eyeballs knows they're going to be good. The Shinkaruk love is a bit weird.

That's not the first time we've seen someone say Jankowski's play without the puck needs improvement. Treliving has said so during his first year here. Seems like old news though. Watching the NCAA Frozen Four last year and getting a real chance to see Jankowski play, I don't think his away from the puck play needs work. The way he kind of floats for a guy his size is very misleading, as it looks like the old Ovie disconnected controller thing, but in reality he's kind of just working his way into good open ice or into a position where he figures the puck is going to be.

I'm just not sure Pronman is getting a real good look at an east coast NCAA player. There's not enough coverage and I'm pretty sure since he isn't a fan, he's not going out of his way to see him.

[heep223]

Does anyone know the NHLe for college players in their senior year? Or is that even valid at all?

[KootenayFlamesFan]

I've only seen Janko play 2 or 3 times but his play away from the puck was one of the things that impressed me. Either Pronman saw games that I didn't where he was bad away from the puck or he's way off.

[Hackey]

I don't think we will really know until he starts playing pro hockey. Once we see how he adjusts after a season or two we will likely know what he is. I would agree with Pronman to a degree that what Jankowsi is doing as a senior isn't really that impressive. Doesn't lead me to believe he's going to be a top line center in the NHL like some have suggested. It is nice to see that his game is improving though so that is promising. Just gotta hope that he continues on that trajectory when he goes pro and doesn't stagnate with the increased competition.

[Erick Estrada]

He's always been a project which means he's never been considered a sure thing. It's going to be wait and see until he gets his professional opportunity. My hope is that he can at least replace Backlund which isn't exactly lofty expectations.