Flames Top Shelf Prospects

[MarkGio]

Still cant believe Tuulola was picked over Mattson and Lindstrom. Not only did the Flames' group of like 20 scouts have Lindstrom and Mattson ahead of this guy, but so did hundreds of scouts from the 30 teams who let him fall to the 6th round.

So much bad logic in these rankings

[Monahan For Mayor]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

Still cant believe Tuulola was picked over Mattson and Lindstrom. Not only did the Flames' group of like 20 scouts have Lindstrom and Mattson ahead of this guy, but so did hundreds of scouts from the 30 teams who let him fall to the 6th round.

So much bad logic in these rankings

That's not necessarily true. The flames scouts may have known he would be available later in the draft and could wait to pick him.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

Still cant believe Tuulola was picked over Mattson and Lindstrom. Not only did the Flames' group of like 20 scouts have Lindstrom and Mattson ahead of this guy, but so did hundreds of scouts from the 30 teams who let him fall to the 6th round.

So much bad logic in these rankings

Tuulola was not on Calgary's primary list (of 70-100 prospects). As a regional pick, none of the cross-region scouts likely even got a chance to watch him. It was the same with Matthew Phillips, who even Tod Button never saw play.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I don't think he's being punished. And lots of fans here, myself included, have some high hopes.

But let's forget about where he was drafted. How many players with 4 years of college experience and his offensive production have gone on to become top tier players? I know there are several mitigating factors including his age and the system in which he played. Are there any other comparables?

Blake Wheeler is one such guy I've seen mentioned. Now, whereas Jankowski went to Providence out of Canadian High School after being drafted, Wheeler went to a USHL team for one year after being drafted out of US High School. So Wheeler's "Freshman" College year aligns with Jankowski's "Sophomore" year age-wise. Wheeler's "Junior" College year aligns with Jankowski's "Senior" College year. Both players turned pro four years after their draft. Wheeler was an instant 40+ point guy on some good Boston teams despite unimpressive college stats. Once he got more opportunity in ATL/WPG, Wheeler has emerged as a perennial 65-80 point guy. See below:

Originally Posted by cannon7

Blake Wheeler's NCAA stats at 21:

44GP 15G 20A 35PTS 72PIM

Mark Jankowski at 21:

38GP 15G 25A 40PTS 28PIM +24

Not sure Jankowski steps right onto an NHL roster like Wheeler did, but wouldn't be surprised if he did, either.

[Da_Chief]

Originally Posted by Flames Draft Watcher

Head scratcher how Janko isn't up there. I think having little Shinkaruk ahead of him is a mistake. Jankowski has the size, skating and skill to develop into a big top two line centre which are amongst the most valuable commodities in the NHL. His upside is a question mark? His upside is enormous and that's why he should easily be in our top 5 prospects IMO. I don't think Shinkaruk is signicantly more likely to be an NHLer and I don't think Shinkaruk's upside is as big as Janko's. I think Jankowski is being underrated and Shinkaruk being overrated. Just my opinion I guess, time will tell.

Do people really think VAN traded us an uber prospect for Granlund? I like Shinkaruk and think he has a chance to be an NHLer but if both players hit their upside Jankowski will be far more valuable.

I believe your opinion is biased/clouded by the fact that Janko is still somewhat unknown. No one really knows what he'll be, it would be interesting to see if he doesn't produce offensively in Stockton, how many jump off his bandwagon. Shinkaruk has produced in the AHL and he was a hgiher ranked prospect coming out of Juniors then Janko. He has all the talent to succeed in the NHL as well. If he develops into a top 2 line center it won't be with the Flames. Where's Shinkaruk has a good chance of being a top 6 winger this year.

As far as Van trading an uber prospect? Has it never happened before? teams trade guys prematurely. Rychel (for harrington), Bennett (for 3rd), DeAngelo (for 2nd), Grimaldi (Berra) are all once highly rated prospects that were moved this summer.

No having Janko in the top 5 is ok, there's no way imo he'll see any NHL games this year (unless the season is lost). He has potential but he has ways to go.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

Blake Wheeler is one such guy I've seen mentioned. Now, whereas Jankowski went to Providence out of Canadian High School after being drafted, Wheeler went to a USHL team for one year after being drafted out of US High School. So Wheeler's "Freshman" College year aligns with Jankowski's "Sophomore" year age-wise. Wheeler's "Junior" College year aligns with Jankowski's "Senior" College year. Both players turned pro four years after their draft. Wheeler was an instant 40+ point guy on some good Boston teams despite unimpressive college stats. Once he got more opportunity in ATL/WPG, Wheeler has emerged as a perennial 65-80 point guy. See below:

Great example. Thank you. Wheeler is certainly an exception, but Jankowski was always going to be an exception.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Great example. Thank you. Wheeler is certainly an exception, but Jankowski was always going to be an exception.

Alex Killorn also fits the profile to a less exceptional, but still legitimate top six extent. Also a Jay Feaster draft pick out of HS, like Jankowski. Jankowski, being taller, probably has more filling out left to do after four years of college though. His current weight is Killorn's playing weight, but is still on the scrawny side for himself.

[CsInMyBlood]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

Still cant believe Tuulola was picked over Mattson and Lindstrom. Not only did the Flames' group of like 20 scouts have Lindstrom and Mattson ahead of this guy, but so did hundreds of scouts from the 30 teams who let him fall to the 6th round.

So much bad logic in these rankings

Johnny Gaudreau and TJ Brodie say hi.

[Bingo]

Originally Posted by MarkGio

Still cant believe Tuulola was picked over Mattson and Lindstrom. Not only did the Flames' group of like 20 scouts have Lindstrom and Mattson ahead of this guy, but so did hundreds of scouts from the 30 teams who let him fall to the 6th round.

So much bad logic in these rankings

We should have an all August poll to rank posters in terms of anger!

People vote in a poll, people order articles based on their own views or biases ... I just don't get those that get their gitch in a knot over the results.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

I don't think he's being punished. And lots of fans here, myself included, have some high hopes.

But let's forget about where he was drafted. How many players with 4 years of college experience and his offensive production have gone on to become top tier players? I know there are several mitigating factors including his age and the system in which he played. Are there any other comparables?

I'll bite.

- Jankowski as a Senior was still 2-3 years younger then plenty of other Seniors in the NCAA.
- Jankowski led his team in scoring and to the 2nd most wins in program history. The points might seem low, but keep in mind the Friars play a heavily defensive focused system. This isn't really a bad thing, as you can imagine Jankowski's defensive game is already on point. He had the most defensive responsibilities on the team after all and had to do it without Gillies backing him up.
- Offensively, Jankowski managed the most points under the Friars defensive system in 12 years. That immediately makes his 40 points look a little more impressive.
- Jankowski comes into the AHL and looks much more talented than anyone else in the 2 games I managed to watch anyways.

Jankowski should definitely be in the top-5. His floor is 3rd line Center and ceiling is sky high.

[Bandwagon In Flames]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

Johnny Gaudreau and TJ Brodie say hi.

And Mark Giordano, who is apparently his hero.

Scouts can't tell the future, only predict it.

[MarkGio]

Originally Posted by CsInMyBlood

Johnny Gaudreau and TJ Brodie say hi.

No, you're comparing apples and oranges. 1 month after after the draft, Granlund, Wotherspoon and Baertschi were better prospects than Gaudreau. Four years later is different than 1 month later. By your logic I can argue than Lindstrom is a better prospect than Tkachuk in the hypothetical event that Lindstrom becomes a #1 defenseman and Tkachuk busts.

Right now Lidstrom and Mattson are better prospects than Tuulola.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by Bandwagon In Flames

I'll bite.

- Jankowski as a Senior was still 2-3 years younger then plenty of other Seniors in the NCAA.
- Jankowski led his team in scoring and to the 2nd most wins in program history. The points might seem low, but keep in mind the Friars play a heavily defensive focused system. This isn't really a bad thing, as you can imagine Jankowski's defensive game is already on point. He had the most defensive responsibilities on the team after all and had to do it without Gillies backing him up.
- Offensively, Jankowski managed the most points under the Friars defensive system in 12 years. That immediately makes his 40 points look a little more impressive.
- Jankowski comes into the AHL and looks much more talented than anyone else in the 2 games I managed to watch anyways.

Jankowski should definitely be in the top-5. His floor is 3rd line Center and ceiling is sky high.

Thanks for biting. Always room for a Jankowski debate. I hear you on most of your points, except these seniors that are so much older than Jankowski probably have little to no NHL potential. But I understand that his production gets compared to those guys.

Saying his floor is 3rd line center is probably a little premature. Not saying he won't get there but if that was his floor he'd likely be a little further along by now.

[GranteedEV]

Originally Posted by Strange Brew

Thanks for biting. Always room for a Jankowski debate. I hear you on most of your points, except these seniors that are so much older than Jankowski probably have little to no NHL potential. But I understand that his production gets compared to those guys.

Saying his floor is 3rd line center is probably a little premature. Not saying he won't get there but if that was his floor he'd likely be a little further along by now.

He was 6'2.5" / 165 lbs as a 17YO and grew another 1.5 inches after his draft. The physical filling out to do alone was something that kept his timeline fixed long term. He is only now at that 200+ lb range which may compare strength-wise to a shorter, lighter guy like Bennett, who himself still has to fill out. He's still below an optimal playing weight for someone his height.

Consider me as someone who also sees Jankowski's floor as an NHL centre.

[Strange Brew]

Originally Posted by GranteedEV

He was 6'2.5" / 165 lbs as a 17YO and grew another 1.5 inches after his draft. The physical filling out to do alone was something that kept his timeline fixed long term. He is only now at that 200+ lb range which may compare strength-wise to a shorter, lighter guy like Bennett, who himself still has to fill out. He's still below an optimal playing weight for someone his height.

Consider me as someone who also sees Jankowski's floor as an NHL centre.

I don't believe this can be said about too many prospects. I certainly hope you're right.

If you're GM of the Flames, what type of return , in terms of a draft pick, would it take for you to trade Jankowski? Certainly a 1st round pick I'd guess. 15th overall?

[Vinny01]

The score app ranks the NHL farm systems and the flames placed 12th on the list. The Nucks are 18th, Oilers 7th and Leafs 1st

[Tinordi]

Jankowski's floor is a third line center? Laugh, this board sometimes...

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by Tinordi

Jankowski's floor is a third line center? Laugh, this board sometimes...

Cry cry cry

[Conroy4Mayor]

Surprised there was no mention of Hickey.