Jankowski takes it for me.
I think he does have the attributes for.. gosh.. get ready for it.. a #1 center. Wait, what?
Just watch him play. He finds people. He can make anyone he plays with better. He has very good size, and is a puck-possession monster. I think his 'fall-back' is that of a 3rd line checking center ala Yelle, just because he is so talented at the FO dot, and at reading and anticipating plays.
I really do think there is a good chance he pushes Bennett to the wing, but just as good of a chance that he is deployed on the wing himself.
What is his weakness? What is this kid's kryptonite, so to speak? His only weakness is that he hasn't quite filled out yet, but I think he has reached the level of 'big enough'.
I thought he answered a lot of critics last season with coming to the AHL towards the end, and just showing that he might already be beyond that level. 6 points in 8 games, plus having earned Huska's trust in not only being deployed as a center, but being deployed in all important situations? Are you kidding me?
6'4", high IQ, great skater, can make impressive passes, has a good shot and seems like a guy who will instantly boot this team's puck possession numbers with his style of play (he controls the puck so well with his reach).
I think Weisbrod (I hate to say this) was right - or at least, he was half-right. Weisbrod said that Jankowski was the next Nieuwendyk. I think that is only partly true. Some of you are probably too young to remember one of Jimmy Carson's (who is that, gramps?) skits on the Tonight Show was Carnac the Magnificent. He would hold an envelope to his head, give the 'answer', and then proceed to open the envelope and read the statement/question.
Carnac the Magnificent: Mark Jankowski
Opens the envelope. Blows into it. Removes the paper from inside.
Carnac the Magnificent: What if:
Had a baby with
That is who I think of when I try to come up with the best example of a former Flames center. A Joe Nieuwendyk with his vision and passing ability, ability to protect and shield the puck and make smart plays, hand/eye coordination, but probably a nudge lower on the total offensive acumen that Nieuwendyk had. However, he has Otto's size, faceoff skills and defensive acumen. Just not as hard as Otto was.
I think that is a really key piece for the Flames to have, and will become a very important player for them. I don't think he will displace Backlund. I think what is needed in regards to the Flames and Jankowski is for him to be part of the top 6. Either alongside Gaudreau and Monahan, or alongside Tkachuk and Bennett, or in the middle of Tkachuk and Bennett.
I really do think he will be that important to the :Flames.
I like Gillie, but I am not completely sold on him being the next great goalie for Calgary. I am more than comfortable with the notion that the Flames have their goalie of the future between him, MacDonald, Schneider (who is soooo underrated and almost an afterthought), and Parsons. Rittich could even be part of that solution, as I won't write him off while getting acclimatized to the smaller ice with all the different angles. I think Gillies headlines that list for sure. I just can't commit myself on Gillies.
Kylington will probably be the next pick for me. A ridiculous package of skill and talent. He has the vision to make extraordinary plays from the backend - he can creatively set up his forwards and make those passes connect on the tape no matter the pace of the game. He can skate with the puck at TJ Brodie's level it seems at his young age - his skating and puck skills are that ridiculous.
What is really ridiculous to me is when I think of trying to defend against him at the NHL level. If the opposing player tries to defend against Kylington, he has to be ready for Kylington to make an expert pass on someone's stick, or try and cheat by hanging back a little bit so that Kylington doesn't blow past him - but play the pass or play safe by giving too much respect for Kylington's skating ability, and Kylington will just pound that puck down the other team's throats thanks to his much harder than I ever expected slapper.
I think he is a full step ahead of Andersson, even without Andersson's conditioning issues. I think Kylington is quickly gaining ground on Andersson defensively - might have already caught him. He was playing top pairing on the Heat for much of the season as an 18 year old. Let that sink in. Brian Burke - who favors the 'big heavy truculent kids' loves Kylington and thinks he will be a player.
Kylington to me as top pairing upside easily. I am not sure why I have Jankowski ahead - maybe because when you have such a big center being able to do everything so well, it really helps a team win. I find the gap between these two so close. I think he is ahead of both Andersson and Hickey.
