Mark "Fricken" Jankowski (aka The Big Jankowski)

[moon]

Originally Posted by korzym12

4 points in 9 games....what's the deal?..
http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=146518

Originally Posted by korzym12

Fair enough - but it would be nice to see analysis against other players that went through the same thing for instance. Can anyone provide that balance? So far lots of justification - I'm just being honest & remembering the "young guns" era and how that turned out

I was not a fan of the Jankowski pick but it does seem a little harsh and premature to be complaining about his production this early into his season and career. It was pretty clear that he was going to take a few years before we would see what he was likely to be and his "struggles" producing early are not unexpected.

As for comparables considering where he came from and the league he is playing in there really isn't any comparables that would be fitting. Which is why he was such a wildcard pick at the time and a guy that had wild rankings from different sources.

As frustrating as it is/will be Jankowski is likely two years away from really being ready to be judged.

[Mitch]

Is Blake Wheeler a fair comparison production wise? In his rookie season he had 23 points in 39 games in NCAA hockey. And before that he even played in the USHL right after he got drafted, where he registered under point per game.

[Caged Great]

Jankowski getting more time in the weight room is good. Points etc are not a big deal now. Getting his frame up to 220+ is more important right now. The skills are there though.

[Calgary4LIfe]

I also feel it is important to mention that Jankowski is sort of learning how to play hockey. From my understanding, he had very little exposure to systems at all.

Jankowski is a kid that is supposedly extremely talented, and who has great size already (and is growing).

No one really has 'expectations' for him this year, as there are so many variables.

1) His growth spurt - takes time to adjust to that on its' own.
2) Systems or 'team play' - virtually non-existent in his league (from what I gathered) and he is learning how to play in a system now.
3) Quality of opposition is leagues better than it was - so this in itself will take some adjustment.

Jankowski was without question the 'wild card' of the draft. He does have the potential to end up becoming a future #1 center in the NHL, he has the size to become a 4th liner, and he has the potential to bust completely. When looking at the other possibilities in the draft, there really wasn't a '#1 center' potential left where the Flames were drafting orginally - especially not at his size. It is a bit of a 'gamble' with Jankowski, but the Flames scouted him thoroughly enough that they feel confident he WILL become an impact player in the future. Just not now. He has a lot to overcome (which is why he is a bit of a 'gamble'), but the potential payoff is huge for this kid.

It would be nice if he finishes ppg with 0.5gpg... but that is really wishful thinking when you factor in his previous experience (prep league) and his body having gone through a major growth spurt. I have watched a couple of his games online, and he looked decent out there - definitely left you with 'wanting more', especially when he didn't have the puck, but you can tell this kid is full of skill and promise whenever the puck is on his stick.

This is one prospect everyone needs to be patient with, but is POTENTIALLY the most important prospect the Flames drafted since Jarome (though we would all like to think that after every draft, right?). I think it was a great gamble, and I am actually quite intrigued to follow this story line for the next few years and see how it unfolds.

[STeeLy]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

This is one prospect everyone needs to be patient with, but is POTENTIALLY the most important prospect the Flames drafted since Jarome

Except we didn't draft Jarome... Dallas did.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by STeeLy

Except we didn't draft Jarome... Dallas did.

True.. but meant more of the 'next great talent' to come up through the Flames' system.

[moon]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I also feel it is important to mention that Jankowski is sort of learning how to play hockey. From my understanding, he had very little exposure to systems at all.

To be fair to those scared of the pick that is a pretty frightening statement to make about a 1st round pick.

This is one prospect everyone needs to be patient with, but is POTENTIALLY the most important prospect the Flames drafted since Jarome (though we would all like to think that after every draft, right?).

Couldn't that same thing be said about every pick the Flames have made in the past ten and certainly about every first round pick?

[Textcritic]

Originally Posted by Mitch

Is Blake Wheeler a fair comparison production wise? In his rookie season he had 23 points in 39 games in NCAA hockey. And before that he even played in the USHL right after he got drafted, where he registered under point per game.

That may be the closest comparison, but Jankowski is already a year ahead of where Wheeler was with his decision to go straight to college as a 17-year-old. Wheeler also has a late birthday, like Jankowski, but he opted for a year in USHL, and did not start at UMinn until he was 18.

[T@T]

I personally want this kid to succeed just for bragging rights

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showthread.php?t=118070

[Calgary4LIfe]

Originally Posted by moon

To be fair to those scared of the pick that is a pretty frightening statement to make about a 1st round pick.



Couldn't that same thing be said about every pick the Flames have made in the past ten and certainly about every first round pick?

I can definitely empathize with those that are scared of the pick, but the upside Jankowski has is also undeniable. He was being touted as one of the more skilled players in the draft, but a guy that was 'hard to scout' due to the level of competition. Seeing him playing in Providence thus far has relaxed me somewhat - he does look good out there for the most part.

Flames have been drafting much better in the last while - much more skilled players, and players with higher hockey IQ. There was no other center after Galchenyuk and Grigorenko that had size and skill in this draft. I like what the Flames are reaching for, and trust them with their scouting more every year so far.

Yes, you can argue how important the 1st round pick has been every year, BUT - when was the last time the Flames drafted a skilled 6'3" center with skill? I can't recall someone off the top of my head of any note. A quality center with size has been lacking (to say the least) in the organization (including the farm team) for ages now - probably 2 generations now.

There is a reason he wasn't a top 10 pick of course - and that is because this kid is much more 'raw' than other kids in the 1st round. However, there is a lot of reason to be optimistic about this pick as well. Whether you are 'up' on this pick, or you are 'down' on it, both sides must temper their expectations a bit and have a bit of patience. Jankowski is definitely a unique prospect out there, and it will be really interesting just to watch him develop over the next couple of years. Nobody really knows for sure one way or another - superstar, bust or somewhere in-between. The Flames scouts (and all of the scouts it seems) feel he will develop into a special player, so we will just have to see if they got it right.

[Doc Hudson]

So, speaking as someone who actually watched him play

http://forum.calgarypuck.com/showpos...&postcount=457

His skills levels are high, but he is very thin for his size and definately adjusting to not being the best player on the ice. It is WAY too early to either clai he is a bust or a sure thing.

My opinion is that Providence do not have a very good team, certainly no Kreider to look up to for Jankowski. He has the highest shooting % on the team, and the only player with more goals than him is a year older and coming off being named to the Hockey East all rookie team (Mauermann 5-9, 170lbs, 4 g, 2 on pp). Jankowski is very young, 1.5 years younger than fellow freshman (de Jersey, 6-3, 205lbs, 2g 3a= 5pts) and 3.5 years younger than Mauermann.

Be patient. It won't be until the end of next year before we can really say anything. That said, if he gains weight and shows a little more intensity, he'll be fine.

[getbak]

We also have to remember that even though Gaudreau had an incredible freshman year last year and ended up with 44 points in 44 games, he didn't really hit his stride until late January. He only had 15 points in the first 23 games last season (and four of those came in one game -- so outside of that, he had 11 points in 22 games).

That was all with a much better team than what Jankowski is playing with.

[Gary83]

http://www.eliteprospects.com/player.php?player=40265

Probably the closest comparison you'll find for Jankowski, from size, to being drafted out of high school. Bjugstad is now regarded as a good-great pick but at the time seemed a little off the board.

[Metro Gnome]

Originally Posted by korzym12

Fair enough - but it would be nice to see analysis against other players that went through the same thing for instance. Can anyone provide that balance? So far lots of justification - I'm just being honest & remembering the "young guns" era and how that turned out

I decided to look into this. Went back to 2002, looked at guys taken from 2nd tier type leagues who then went on to play college hockey. Travis Zajac, Joe Colborne and Kris Chucko are recent examples. There was 40 forwards in total.

What I came away with is we should hope for a 0.7 point-per-game pace from Janko this year and at least 1.0 PPG (or better) next season. Aside from David Jones, every guy who failed to break those thresholds either became a bottom-six checker or failed to make the show at all.

Jankowski is only at 0.44 PPG pace so far this year, but it's way too early to judge him by that number.

[korzym12]

Originally Posted by Metro Gnome

I decided to look into this. Went back to 2002, looked at guys taken from 2nd tier type leagues who then went on to play college hockey. Travis Zajac, Joe Colborne and Kris Chucko are recent examples. There was 40 forwards in total.

What I came away with is we should hope for a 0.7 point-per-game pace from Janko this year and at least 1.0 PPG (or better) next season. Aside from David Jones, every guy who failed to break those thresholds either became a bottom-six checker or failed to make the show at all.

Jankowski is only at 0.44 PPG pace so far this year, but it's way too early to judge him by that number.

EXCELLENT.

I'm not a Jankowski basher but those are fantastic KPIs/barometers - that really helps put it into perspective and gets passed the subjective crap. I mean there's lots of good points people bring up, important ones, but this really helps develop a better overall, balanced picture of Jankowski.

[korzym12]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

I don't understand what you're getting at here. Your post was "what's the deal?". If you're interested in finding out the difference between Jankowski and some of his peers do your own research, Seinfeld.

Don't tase me bro - there's absolutely nothing wrong with asking a tough question.

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by Metro Gnome

I decided to look into this. Went back to 2002, looked at guys taken from 2nd tier type leagues who then went on to play college hockey. Travis Zajac, Joe Colborne and Kris Chucko are recent examples. There was 40 forwards in total.

What I came away with is we should hope for a 0.7 point-per-game pace from Janko this year and at least 1.0 PPG (or better) next season. Aside from David Jones, every guy who failed to break those thresholds either became a bottom-six checker or failed to make the show at all.

Jankowski is only at 0.44 PPG pace so far this year, but it's way too early to judge him by that number.

The only thing I could add to your post is that Jankowski didn't come from a tier 2 league, he came from tier 3 or 4. His competition was probably equivalent to good American High school or AAA Canadian midget leagues. He's making a huge jump to American college level games, so along with his late birthday, I'd give him more of a break on his PPG average.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by korzym12

Don't tase me bro - there's absolutely nothing wrong with asking a tough question.

Sure, but you weren't asking tough questions, just ignorant ones.

[Jables16]

He reminds me a lot of Kyle Turris when he was drafted. Playing in a lower-tier league, a LOT of physical development needed, but incredible natural ability.

Kind of funny that Feaster didn't want to trade the first rounder this year for Turris and ended up drafting a player a lot like him but years behind. Although in his defense it was looking like we would have a top 10 or higher pick at the time.

[Vinny01]

Originally Posted by Jables16

He reminds me a lot of Kyle Turris when he was drafted. Playing in a lower-tier league, a LOT of physical development needed, but incredible natural ability.

Kind of funny that Feaster didn't want to trade the first rounder this year for Turris and ended up drafting a player a lot like him but years behind. Although in his defense it was looking like we would have a top 10 or higher pick at the time.

Using the power of hindsight it would have been a great move to trade our first for Turris last season then flipped Jokinen to the Preds for their first and still drafted Janko.

I think the Flames were pretty close to moving their first for either Turris, or Carter who we were linked to last year. Listening to Feaster Weisbroad wanted to trade the pick until he saw Janko play.