U20 tournament - Junior Evaluation Camp (Sieloff, Gillies, Monahan, Poirier & Janko)

[Lanny_McDonald]

A review by jaded Canucks fans is now how we are judging prospects?

I would fully expect Jankowski to be feeling his way through camp. Most of these guys have played with or against some of the other guys in camp which gives a sense of familiarity. Jankowski is coming in cold from a league that doesn't get that many invites, so he's a lone wolf, so to speak. He's going to have to adapt and find a way to fit in. This is new ground for him. The experience and exposure is what counts. I don't think anyone would have thought he had a chance to make the team at this point.

[Oling_Roachinen]

Jankowski hasn't reached his 19th birthday yet. 2 years ago he was 5'7'' 150 pounds playing in a weaker high school league. This year he was able to keep up (not necessarily stand out) with a much stronger competition in a college league with many 20+ year olds. For a long term project, I'm happy with the year he's having. Pretty much just echoing the thoughts already said but give him a couple years to bulk up and learn to use his size before we really judge him. I don't think anyone's expecting him to be the next Lindros but he has room to develop that strength and mean streak.

And even if he doesn't become super aggressive, he still has an interesting skill set. A long reach, a smooth stride, good vision, a two-way game and high playmaking skills still gives him an upside of Joe Thornton once he adds some muscle. Sure he might not (probably wont) reach it but even if he's not rushing the net and winning every battle on the board he still has a number 1 center ceiling, even if the likelyhood of reaching it is debatable.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by Da_Chief

Why are they cutting players right now?

well they invited a huge squad to split it into two groups (blue and white) to give everyone a look vs Sweden and Finland. Now they merge the two groups and cut the roster down for the remaining three games.

Will be interesting to see how much TOI Gillies will get in those three games, since he's pretty much a lock for the WJC already. I would guess they want to test Stolarz and Demko a bit more. Looking at defense, Sieloff should have no trouble securing good minutes at the WJC. Sieloff, Skjei, Grzelcyk, Santini, McCoshen and Pesce makes for a nice d-core.

BTW, Sieloff, Gillies and Riley Barber are the only returning players from the gold-medal squad.

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

I think Jankowski's most glaring weaknesses as a prospect right now are his strength (though it is GREAT to see that he is putting weight on - only a matter of time before he corrects this) and his aggression (or at least his assertiveness) on the ice. He needs to get hungrier out there, and I think he is much too passive.

Edit: I don't think he makes the NHL if he doesn't learn to at least become more assertive on the ice. I can understand why he is hesitant - maybe he still not used to his frame - but he should have been one of the more aggressive prospects in the Flames camp scrimmages, but rather he seemed to be one of the most passive. I hope he picks it up a notch for this team Canada camp, and a few notches in the NCAA this upcoming season.

That, in a nutshell, is the biggest concern moving forward.
It was an issue at Providence this past season. Hopefully with increased strength and confidence he will become a (more assertive) player.

Jury is out until he does.

[Day Tripper]

Originally Posted by Oling_Roachinen

A long reach, a smooth stride, good vision, a two-way game and high playmaking skills still gives him an upside of Joe Thornton once he adds some muscle. Sure he might not (probably wont) reach it but even if he's not rushing the net and winning every battle on the board he still has a number 1 center ceiling, even if the likelyhood of reaching it is debatable.

Yeah, I wish.

[Bourque's Twin]

Originally Posted by timbit

That, in a nutshell, is the biggest concern moving forward.
It was an issue at Providence this past season. Hopefully with increased strength and confidence he will become a (more assertive) player.

Jury is out until he does.

As Jankowski becomes more confident and one of the older / more experienced guys on his team he will naturally become more of a leader and more assertive.

He has sprouted up so fast and is playing with guys who are much older than him. When he's a 3rd year player on his NCAA team he will be a dominant force who is relied on in the most important situations. That's what builds assertiveness.

He's a project and projects take time.

[Coach]

Am I missing something here? Why Is Gaudreau not at the US camp?

[devo22]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Am I missing something here? Why Is Gaudreau not at the US camp?

too old. He's not eligible for the WJC anymore.

[sureLoss]

Canada's lineup against the Finns tomorrow

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by Day Tripper

Yeah, I wish.

Actually Thornton is not a bad comparison. Wasn't he ripped for years about being too passive?

[Enoch Root]

I think Beliveau is a better comparison (though obviously those are big shoes to fill)

[Knut]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Canada's lineup against the Finns tomorrow

Looks like Leipsic. - Petan. - Porier is a set line. Haven't they played together the whole camp.

Jankowski now playing with other fringe guys. He needs to stand out now.

[Wolven]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Canada's lineup against the Finns tomorrow

That is pretty awesome. I hope Jankowski can stand out enough to stay with the team.

It is too bad that he and Poirier are both being deployed on the RW. After being at the Flames camp together that would have given Jankowski a linemate that he had some kind of connection with.

I guess if nothing else it is somewhat encouraging to think that if Jankowski doesn't pan out as a center we could deploy him as a RW.

[Enoch Root]

This looks like a lineup of guys on the cusp - a chance to see who can stand out.

It is unfortunate that Jankowski is on the wing - I think he can show more as a C.

[Stupid]

Originally Posted by sureLoss

Canada's lineup against the Finns tomorrow

I think I'm missing something.., no Monahan? Or is this still split groups and he's in the other group?

[Lanny_McDonald]

Jankowski played LW last game and RW in tomorrow's. seems he's being moved around intentionally. Possibly cast as the extra forward on the roster?

[GreenLantern]

I think they are resting the sure fire guys to give the fringe guys a chance to show what they can do.

Big, big game for Janko.

[kyuss275]

Originally Posted by GreenLantern

I think they are resting the sure fire guys to give the fringe guys a chance to show what they can do.

Big, big game for Janko.

I think its a bigger game for Poirier. Poirier has a legit shot at making the team and i think Jankowski was brought in to be camp filler.

[Stupid]

Originally Posted by kyuss275

I think its a bigger game for Poirier. Poirier has a legit shot at making the team and i think Jankowski was brought in to be camp filler.

I think Poirier having a good WJC will be exactly what CP needs to feel even better about last year's draft. Maybe I should speak for myself though.

I know for me that confirmation that Emile is indeed worth going off-the-board a little is very welcome, and I've been looking for something like it since he was drafted. It's looking like it'll come sooner rather than later even!

[the-rasta-masta]

It seems that with MacKinnon likely playing full time in the NHL next year, that gives Monahan the opportunity to be the #1 centre on Team Canada this year. I'd really like to see Monahan get the 9 games with Calgary, and then sent down to Ottawa and get a chance to play in the WJCs. Even if we decide to keep him on the Flames for the duration of the year, I don't think the Flames would be giving up much by letting Monahan go play, considering we will most likely be near the bottom of the league anyways.