[News] With the 21st overall pick Flames select C Mark Jankowski

[Flash Walken]

Originally Posted by Textcritic

Can we infer from this that the Flames both see Jankowski as ready to play in NCAA, and also that USHL or Canadian Juniour are not necessarily the best tracks for his development? I'm a little surprised by Feaster's comments, because I assumed that the Flames would have a greater stake in ensuring that he develops correctly. Perhaps this is just an indication from the Flames management of their high confidence in Jankowski's abilities to assess his own development needs and track?

Interesting.

I think Feaster is blowing hot air.

Not that he's lying, mind you, but he's making a big cloud of words to say simply that they don't know what he'll do next year at this point. It's been, what, a week?

There is a desire to get more Jankowski information from the media, and there is a desire for the Flames to build up their first round selection. Problem is, it's too soon to be reporting on anything.

I imagine priority #1 for Jankowski over the summer will be meeting with Rich Hesketh. That's not very exciting to talk about though.

[Savvy27]

One thing that can be said about NCAA is that they practice at least 4 times a week. Perhaps the Flames think that while he might develop at both levels, he will actually develop faster in the NCAA playing against a higher level of competition.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by moon

I have no idea where he would be coming from but my comment wasn't a negative of him going to the USHL vs. NCAA just a comment that with his supposed skill he shouldn't be concerned about playing in the NCAA. The USHL might be better than NCAA and the right decision but the NCAA shouldn't be a concern for him.

To be fair, your initial comment did give off a "well if he's so good why can't he do this" sort of vibe.

Regardless, my point wasn't that he would be crapping his pants at the skill level/speed of NCAA, but more to the fact that he would be going from playing with people his own age in a lower league than he likely should have been to playing with men in NCAA, two levels higher than where he was previously. Yes he probably has the skill to play NCAA, but likely not the strength or even awareness necessary to prevent himself form being killed by guys like Ramage in the NCAA. No need to rush him.

And after reading Feasters comments, its likely that the Flames will be monitoring him through the summer and they and the Jankowski camp will come to a decision whether they think he's built enough onto his frame to challenge the NCAA game.

[Ashasx]

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL.../19931326.html

“The kid will never play in the NHL,” he wrote in an unsolicited email. “I saw him play several times. He’s scared of his shadow.”

-says the anonymous agent

[Coach]

I could write an article with a bunch of "anonymous" sources too. And fancy that, it would likely come across portraying my own useless view point.

[Big Squid]

Originally Posted by Ashasx

http://slam.canoe.ca/Slam/Hockey/NHL.../19931326.html



-says the anonymous agent

Button tweeted this about 20 min ago. Called the agent gutlass

[timbit]

Originally Posted by Big Squid

Button tweeted this about 20 min ago. Called the agent gutlass

Ritch Winter or my arse is a whipholder.

[sworkhard]

Originally Posted by Big Squid

Button tweeted this about 20 min ago. Called the agent gutlass

With some of the comments I've seen from agents, comments like Irving being the best goalie in Calgary, the opposite of what this agent says is probably the truth.

[Big Squid]

Originally Posted by sworkhard

With some of the comments I've seen from agents, comments like Irving being the best goalie in Calgary, the opposite of what this agent says is probably the truth.

Still pretty brutal comments to make about a 17 year old kid.

[Ashasx]

What would an agent know about hockey any way?

I actually think Francis wrote a fair article. Not attacking Feaster at all.

[LouCypher]

Sure glad we really on scouts and not agents to do our scouting.

[Savvy27]

My complaint about the article is that Francis published an anonymous cheap shot directed at a 17 year old kid which ironically accuses him of cowardice.

[Flames Draft Watcher]

Another piece of Eric Francis drivel. Good enough to pick up doggy poo with and thats about it.

[PeteLFan]

Eric Francis a piece of trash, who cares about your anonymous email keep it to yourself.

[dammage79]

Francis is an idiot after that article. I can usually sluff his meanderings off but why publish something negative about a seventeen year old kid? Come on.

[Coach]

Originally Posted by dammage79

Francis is an idiot after that article. I can usually sluff his meanderings off but why publish something negative about a seventeen year old kid? Come on.

Especially one that's coming into our system and has been highly regarded by the GM and scouting staff. Just completely unnecessary. Might flood Francis's email with some anonymous info of my own.

[MrMastodonFarm]

“The kid will never play in the NHL,” he wrote in an unsolicited email.

Wow, someone has an axe to grind with Feaster or the Flames. Why just randomly e-mail Francis about it.

[getbak]

Originally Posted by MrMastodonFarm

Wow, someone has an axe to grind with Feaster or the Flames. Why just randomly e-mail Francis about it.

If it was an agent, he probably has a client who was falling in the draft who he felt the Flames should have picked instead of Jankowski.

[dammage79]

Originally Posted by MattyC

Especially one that's coming into our system and has been highly regarded by the GM and scouting staff. Just completely unnecessary. Might flood Francis's email with some anonymous info of my own.

I get his aim is to criticize the organization and exploit potential founderings, but leave draft picks out of this. At least until they have fully developed and then fail. But not before the kid even has a chance to develop.

[MrMastodonFarm]

Originally Posted by getbak

If it was an agent, he probably has a client who was falling in the draft who he felt the Flames should have picked instead of Jankowski.

Yup, what could the motivation be besides having an axe to grind, was the agent bored and wanted to send out e-mails?

This is the Agent-Journalist equivalent of Beerfest pretending to be a girl because he has nothing better to do. Just wants to cause trouble.