What is Mark Jankowski?

[442scotty]

I think Jankowski can be as good as he wants to be. I think he can definitely be a second line center. He has all the tools to be a real difference maker. How bad does he want it? I guess we will find out in the next 18 months or so. Peters will be good for his growth.

[locsofblu]

He's a man who built the Eiffel tower out of metal and Braun !

[LWcrowfoot]

Originally Posted by Dan02

You guys do realize he's 24 already right? Not many guys in particular forwards progress much beyond that age, given where he's at now it's highly unlikely he ever reaches Backlunds level.

Would it be fair to suggest Jankowski's path has been wildly different than most NHL players and prospects? Is it safe to assume that path will continue to be a little different as he develops?

Yes, everyone knows his age and the typical path, but Jankowski has never been on that path. Most players are fully developed or close to it at 24, Mark Jankowski though, probably not.

[8sPOT]

I think Janko has the potential to be a Sean Couturier type player (pre-76 point season). He's big, rangy, skates well, covers a lot of ice out there and has the potential to get better both defensively and offensively. Both were first round picks with high skill and size, and like Couturier I see Janko establishing himself as a great 3rd line centre and maybe a good 2nd line centre.

[Hot_Flatus]

Mark Jankowski doesn't lose. He allows you to win.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by LWcrowfoot

Would it be fair to suggest Jankowski's path has been wildly different than most NHL players and prospects? Is it safe to assume that path will continue to be a little different as he develops?

Yes, everyone knows his age and the typical path, but Jankowski has never been on that path. Most players are fully developed or close to it at 24, Mark Jankowski though, probably not.

Is it a lot different than anyone else that went through US college hockey? Gaudreau started pro at about the same age (21), so did, say, Jason Zucker, Kevin Hayes, Alex Tuch, etc.

[Geeoff]

This is a pretty tough question. I just hope he plays well enough to keep from being a healthy scratch.

[Phagoof]

I'd like to see Peters give Janko a shot on the second and put Backs on the 3rd. He's looked really good as of late and deserves a shot me thinks.

[The Cobra]

Originally Posted by Phagoof

I'd like to see Peters give Janko a shot on the second and put Backs on the 3rd. He's looked really good as of late and deserves a shot me thinks.

Backs is doing just fine on the 2nd line and there is no reason to change this at this time. Backs is a great shut-down centre.

[Always Earned Never Given]

Duck hunter one day?

[Matata]

I've been disappointed with his start and the way he's been shuffled through the line up as a result hasn't helped him much either, but I can still see him some day topping out as 20-25g/20-25a two player.

[IamNotKenKing]

Originally Posted by Always Earned Never Given

What is Mark Jankowski?

37 points in Scrabble so about that in the NHL!

I think he’s only 27 points, but it depends upon which doubles and triples you hit.
Could he as high as 70, plus 50 more with a bingo, but that’s tough with those letters.

[LWcrowfoot]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

Is it a lot different than anyone else that went through US college hockey? Gaudreau started pro at about the same age (21), so did, say, Jason Zucker, Kevin Hayes, Alex Tuch, etc.

Janwkowski was drafted out of a Canadian Prep School, so yes, already that's a huge difference. All those guys played in the USHL or for the US National Team previous to College. Jankowski is a late bloomer and was originally slated to go to the USHL after being drafted but went directly to the Friars instead.

The amount of prospects that played in the USHL to US College Hockey to AHL/NHL is endless, that's standard. The amount of prospects that played Canadian Prep hockey to US College is about one.

Gaudreau's first year of pro he was 21, Jankowski's was 22. Zucker was 20...

That's besides my point though, when a guy turned pro or left College doesn't matter. His path stared out wildly different than most, a late bloomer. So it shouldn't surprise anyone that he continues to be a little later than the average prospect and player.

[Monahan For Mayor]

If he can find consistency, start using his size, and pick up the compete level he's a good 2nd line C.

If he can't do those things he is a bottom 6 tweener.

[GioforPM]

Originally Posted by LWcrowfoot

Janwkowski was drafted out of a Canadian Prep School, so yes, already that's a huge difference. All those guys played in the USHL or for the US National Team previous to College. Jankowski is a late bloomer and was originally slated to go to the USHL after being drafted but went directly to the Friars instead.

The amount of prospects that played in the USHL to US College Hockey to AHL/NHL is endless, that's standard. The amount of prospects that played Canadian Prep hockey to US College is about one.

Gaudreau's first year of pro he was 21, Jankowski's was 22. Zucker was 20...

That's besides my point though, when a guy turned pro or left College doesn't matter. His path stared out wildly different than most, a late bloomer. So it shouldn't surprise anyone that he continues to be a little later than the average prospect and player.

He wasn't that late a bloomer. He was drafted to the OHL in the same year, and had USHL offers. But went right to NCAA and actually bypassed USHL, unlike most players. He figured at that point he was an early bloomer compared to other college players, based on his 2012 rookie camp experience.

I don't think he expected to spend 4 years at Providence.

[LWcrowfoot]

Originally Posted by GioforPM

He wasn't that late a bloomer. He was drafted to the OHL in the same year, and had USHL offers. But went right to NCAA and actually bypassed USHL, unlike most players. He figured at that point he was an early bloomer compared to other college players, based on his 2012 rookie camp experience.

Most legitimate hockey prospects aren't drafted into the CHL in their NHL draft year. Jankowsi was drafted by Saginaw a week before his NHL draft. Other guys had already been playing in the OHL for 2-3 seasons. Does that scream normal path to you?

He bypassed the USHL which was seen as a gamble at the time. Most players don't bypass the USHL because they've already played in that league at the ages of 15-17, something Mark just wasn't capable of doing.

Mark initially committed to the Dubuque Fighting Saints of the USHL for his first season after the NHL draft, but thought after Flames camp he was ready for US College hockey. That finally put him on par with the rest of his draft mates, but he had a lot of catching up to do.

Your "early bloomer" comment makes no sense whatsoever. You seem completely ignorant of typical CHL and USHL timelines.

I don't think he expected to spend 4 years at Providence.

Maybe he didn't, I recall he tried to sign with the Flames after his third season, but pretty much everyone else knew this was a long term prospect the moment he was drafted and four full years of College wasn't going to be a shock.

[Classic_Sniper]

Personally I think Mark Jankowski is well on his way to becoming an impact centerman. Not sure how high his ceiling is as physical frame and tools still appear to be quite raw. He has a unique blend of size, speed and agility that no other center on this team possesses and I think that'll bode well for him in the future. Throw in the hands and the shot he has and he could give the opposition some fits.

If you look at his even strength points per minute; it's actually quite impressive when you take into consideration his rotating cast of bottom 6 wingers. He'd actually be ahead of Backlund in even strength points if given the same 5 on 5 minutes and would be ahead overall if given the same powerplay time. It's hard for to believe he's playing an average of 9 seconds on the PP given the struggles of the 2nd unit. With his skillset, he belongs there.

I think in a couple years, given the right linemates and minutes, we could see Jankowski thrive offensively. We've seen at the AHL level, we've seen flashes of it at the NHL level and I think he's just scratching the surface right now. At worst he could be a high end #3 center who can play on both ends of the ice and be a nightmare matchup to other #3 centers.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Monahan For Mayor

If he can find consistency, start using his size, and pick up the compete level he's a good 2nd line C.

If he can't do those things he is a bottom 6 tweener.

Pretty big ifs that I remember being sprouted off relating to guys like Joe Colborne for years as well. At the same time, guys like Blake Wheeler also turned out pretty well with the same critiques early in his career.

Tough to say where he'll fall but as a raw player, it never hurts to be on a good team with depth to shelter you during your early years in the league.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Jankowski is a professional ice hockey player from Ontario Canada

[JJFlash]

Originally Posted by Fan69

I have been following and rooting for Jankowski since he was drafted by we all know who.

His first season was pretty good with 17 goals although the question mark of a meaningless 4 goal game throw some question on the numbers. Now he certainly hasnt come out gangbusters i think most would agree, but seems to be coming around in the last few games.

So what is he?
Myself i see a second line center in him and here is why.

The not so good story.
The sophmore jinx is well documented and may be part of his struggles.
After a dissapointing season he saw the g.m. go out and make a jumber of depth moves which im sure he knew would limit his icetime. How much did it hit his confidence or did it at all.
For his size the board play isnt great. When hes moving his feet he seems to make good decisions but seems less so when just dishing it off. My own observation.
young player or vision?
GG did not help.

The good.
Last few games he seems to be much more assertive so sign of good things to come?
Great shot doesnt use it near enough. Can you get him shooting more?
He has a penchant for scoring highlight reel goals. Obviously the shorty against arizona was a bute.

I still see second line center in him. He scores highlight reel goals and if you can get him shooting more i see a 20 goal guy in him no problem. I think were just starting to see the player that he is and i see him as a key piece in 3 years.

Ill also add he scored his first goal off his Janclownski. How could a guy like that be a fourth liner or tweener . That says greatness.

My 2.37 cents. Thoughts?

I completely agree. I don’t think he worked as hard in the off season to add muscle as he has in the past and it shows in how he loses battles on the boards. I don’t think BP has done him any favours. He rarely plays in the third period when the team is trailing. He played 10 minutes last game despite scoring 2 goals. I think BP is waiting to see him run over players like Bennett does but he is not that type of player.

If you look at the goals he has scored, you can tell he is a goal scorer. He has the same amount of points as Bennett despite having bottom 5 playing minutes. He has not been gifted any PP time or top 6 minutes even in pre-season despite finishing last season with 4 goal game on the top line.

I agree he is a second line center for Tkachuk and Neal/Bennett. Now this is not all on BP, Janko needs to show some fire. BP needs to start rewarding Janko when he is playing well by moving him up the lines.