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.
Add to the fact that Feaster has been letting players know that he expects them to be aggressive and very hard to play against. This is concept is shaping up to be a big part of the Flames identity going forward. If Jankowski is not showing a certain level of toughness at least he is going to hear about it! I agree with the sentiment he probably won't make the team if he doesn't bring that intimidating factor which can also be viewed as leadership.
I don't know how you could watch Monahan and Janko and conclude that Janko has the higher upside.
He's a bit bigger, much better skater, comparable stick skills (Janko might even have a bit of an edge there), good hockey sense (though Monahan has an edge here). Monahan's has a more complete game, and much higher likelihood of reaching his potential, but the argument is definitely there.
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.
does that actually happen very ofter? that a team allows someone playing in the nhl to leave for the WJC?
does that actually happen very ofter? that a team allows someone playing in the nhl to leave for the WJC?
Not too often but if the player is starting to struggle and he isn't a key component, he is sometimes sent to the Junior tourney. Sometimes NHL teams can be accused of playing politics by allowing or not allowing a player to bolster a national team.
I don't know how you could watch Monahan and Janko and conclude that Janko has the higher upside.
Assuming Jankowski grew at an older age (word of mouth), there is that much larger of an effect when he gets his adult strength. I`m not sure when Monahan was done growing but say he had an 18 year olds body at age 18 and Janko had a 16 year olds body at 18 as he wasn`t fully grown, than his physical skills may potentially have a higher ceiling. Same reason why smaller players who haven`t grown yet in midget and bantam dominate players whom were fully developed at those ages when they reach Junior A and CHL levels.
Corey Pronman @coreypronman
USA cuts include on D: STL's Vannelli, TB Blujus, ANA Thompson, LAK Ebert, 2014 DeAngelo. Collin Olson the cut goaltender. SJ's Gage Ausmus also cut. On forward: CHI Hayden, undrafted Lane, CHI Hinostroza, BUF Bailey, MTL Vail, NYR Nieves the cuts for USA.
So Sieloff and Gillies stay ... hardly a surprise.
I think it sends the wrong message to the team if we let Monahan go to the WJC if he's playing in the NHL. Like we're throwing in the towel in the middle of December.
We may very well be dead last by a fair amount of points by then, but I just don't like it.
I don't know how you could watch Monahan and Janko and conclude that Janko has the higher upside.
Pretty simple actually. Jankowski displays a very similar skill set to Monahan, even superior in some ways. He's just adapting to the incredible growth spurt he went through and will only get better as he gains confidence in his body and skills. Monahan has been playing top end hockey for the better part of his life and has had systems and certain behaviors drilled into him which has given him an edge of having a complete game. These are things that can be learned and Jankowski is just being exposed to these systems. Jankowski has got to where he is on raw skill and instincts and will only improve as a player as he learns the systems. The only thing I see holding him back is his willingness to step up, play physical and get his nose dirty. Having said that, Joe Nieuwendyk was never a player to initiate physical play and he did pretty good in the NHL. Monahan and Jankowski are going to be a great one two punch for years to come. Add in Reinhart and Knight and the position of weakness the Flames had two short years ago is quickly becoming a strength.
The Following 5 Users Say Thank You to Lanny_McDonald For This Useful Post:
I think it sends the wrong message to the team if we let Monahan go to the WJC if he's playing in the NHL. Like we're throwing in the towel in the middle of December.
We may very well be dead last by a fair amount of points by then, but I just don't like it.
I guess it's one of those things that can be looked at in both positive and negative lights.
I suppose sending Monohan to the WJC could be viewed as Calgary Flames defeatism, however I would prefer to think that a) the Flames want to support the national teams and b) recognize that playing for our country, and the pressure of that situation, is a character-building experience that can only otherwise be gained in the playoffs and SCF.
The Following User Says Thank You to BloodFetish For This Useful Post:
The comment was that he was adapting to his growth spurt. He needs to bulk up for sure, but we shouldn't be suggesting that his height gain is still holding him back.
He already uses his reach effectively, what else is there for growth spurt that would be a "hindrance" if not his playstyle? It's being out-muscled and afraid to play aggressively using his size to his advantage in puck battles when people talk about not adjusting to his size, at least I thought. The problem is he's a very lanky 18 year old still, expecting him to play like a 210+ pound player when he's 170 pounds playing in a league with more physically matured 20 year olds doesn't quite make sense.
Jankowski's biggest challenge is not his strength. It is his compete level. Last season at Providence his skill was fine. He was soft, regardless of his age.
He needs to figure out in a hurry that to make it to the next level as well as succeeding at the the college level he will need to be a lot better competitor.
If he does he should be a very good college player and subsequently a good candidate to be a quality Flames player.
I think it sends the wrong message to the team if we let Monahan go to the WJC if he's playing in the NHL. Like we're throwing in the towel in the middle of December.
We may very well be dead last by a fair amount of points by then, but I just don't like it.
I fail to see how letting an 18 year old compete in a huge tournament is throwing in the towel.
Quote:
Originally Posted by timbit
Jankowski's biggest challenge is not his strength. It is his compete level. Last season at Providence his skill was fine. He was soft, regardless of his age.
He needs to figure out in a hurry that to make it to the next level as well as succeeding at the the college level he will need to be a lot better competitor.
If he does he should be a very good college player and subsequently a good candidate to be a quality Flames player.
You have claimed twice now about Janko's compete level, you are the only person I have ever heard mention this.
It's pretty likely you are way off base since a player with a poor compete level is unliekly to be able to adjust from playing in a Quebec Prep league to the Hockey East Conference, which is widely considered one of the toughest in the NCAA
Jankowski's biggest challenge is not his strength. It is his compete level. Last season at Providence his skill was fine. He was soft, regardless of his age.
He needs to figure out in a hurry that to make it to the next level as well as succeeding at the the college level he will need to be a lot better competitor.
If he does he should be a very good college player and subsequently a good candidate to be a quality Flames player.
I think this is an extreme judgement to pass on the kid. Lets not forget that he was a 17 year old playing against guys much older than him. He had a big adjustment period, and it showed in the first half of the season. He played a lot better in the second half and showed a lot of growth. The difference between the first and second half were night and day.
I think his biggest problem is confidence and believing he can play the game a certain way. It is tough to have a growth spurt that changes your body so quickly. For Jankowski he was probably used to playing the game a certain way and shied away from the physical game because of his lack of size. He still has that mentality and needs to learn that he can initiate contact and win the battles. This is a mental thing and he just needs some time to develop the confidence to play that way. You don't just flip a switch and change the way you have played the game your whole life. It will come. The kid has too much natural talent and has a good head on his shoulders not to figure it out.
Jankowski's biggest challenge is not his strength. It is his compete level. Last season at Providence his skill was fine. He was soft, regardless of his age.
He needs to figure out in a hurry that to make it to the next level as well as succeeding at the the college level he will need to be a lot better competitor.
If he does he should be a very good college player and subsequently a good candidate to be a quality Flames player.
I made a similar comment in the development camp thread where I found Janks to be somewhat of a floater. Looked uninterested.
