Mark "Fricken" Jankowski (aka The Big Jankowski)

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

You bring a great deal of incite and perspective to the Heat conversation, which I appreciate. So I hope you won't take it personally when I say that this ^ is complete garbage.

College players cannot be signed or they lose their eligibility. Jankowski will continue to develop and the Flames will continue to watch his development - which is progressing just fine.

And then the Flames will make a rational decision about whether or not to sign him at the appropriate time (in another year or two).

Attempting to add drama and/or biases to the process is just silly.

Yea, that was a "green text" comment. I'm just trying to fit into all the conspiracy and hype in this thread. My real opinion is a lot closer to this:

We did not make the best draft selection when we chose Jankowski. I think everyone can agree that though Jankowski may still seem intriguing, it was probably too bring of a risk to pass up on some of the other guys available at the higher number. That being said... GET OVER IT! We chose Jankowski, and it's Jankowski we have. No more rehash of that please!

Secondly, in choosing Jankowski and having him play at Providence college two things should be expected. Low scoring output, and slow-and-steady all around growth. I'm happy with it. People want goals, but did you know "Mauermann's 18 goals are the most for a Friar since Peter Fregoe's 23 in 2002-03. 1st Friar w/31 pts since 2005-06" <- twitter source.

So he plays on a low scoring college team, and so he's not putting it through the roof. Div 1 is not as divided as it once was, and goal scoring has been trending down in that league for over a decade.

What we saw at prospect camp was a lanky teen with all the tools to be a scoring pro, so long as everything went right for the next 4-5 years so he could put it all together.

I wish people wouldn't blow his career up game-by-game, but I suppose we've got to talk about something.

As for the Burke talk, it really won't be his decision anyway (at least it shouldn't be.) A new GM will be in place long before that contract comes up.

[Crumpy-Gunt]

I dont think there is a chance we get rid of Jankowski. Its one thing picking a highschool player in the mid first round - its another thing trading him prematurely to a different team and watching him blossom in the NHL soon after. Those are 2 completely different levels of fail.

Jankowski is a good player and was good enough to be invited to the Canadian Jr camp. + Burke is Providence Alumni / ex Friar and that means he will give this kid a chance :P

[getbak]

1 assist in a 2-2 tie tonight against Notre Dame.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Crumpy-Gunt

Jankowski is a good player and was good enough to be invited to the Canadian Jr camp.

This is something that really gets overlooked and forgotten. The nay sayers will write it off because his uncle is with Hockey Canada, but one man doesn't decide who goes.

[opendoor]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

Secondly, in choosing Jankowski and having him play at Providence college two things should be expected. Low scoring output, and slow-and-steady all around growth. I'm happy with it. People want goals, but did you know "Mauermann's 18 goals are the most for a Friar since Peter Fregoe's 23 in 2002-03. 1st Friar w/31 pts since 2005-06" <- twitter source.

While true, it's also worth noting that Providence has only produced one NHL forward (Pisani) in the last 20 years, so it's not like there are scores of successful players who had their output hindered from the program or lower quality teammates but went on to find success elsewhere. In fact, you can count on one hand the number of forward alumni in the last 20 years who went on to even have sustained success at the AHL level.

To me, next year is the big one for Jankowski. Even for slower developing players, a 20 year old junior season is when you'd expect to see some real progress if he's going to be an NHLer.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by opendoor

While true, it's also worth noting that Providence has only produced one NHL forward (Pisani) in the last 20 years, so it's not like there are scores of successful players who had their output hindered from the program or lower quality teammates but went on to find success elsewhere. In fact, you can count on one hand the number of forward alumni in the last 20 years who went on to even have sustained success at the AHL level.

To me, next year is the big one for Jankowski. Even for slower developing players, a 20 year old junior season is when you'd expect to see some real progress if he's going to be an NHLer.

To be fair you can't just look at a school and say "they have only produced this" especially a school like Providence College. First and foremost it is a Christian school, so this in itself makes it harder for them to recruit players. Secondly the coaching staff plays a massive role in developing the players and Nathan Leaman is only in his 3rd season with the program. He is the reason Gillies and Jankowski chose Providence.

Jankowski and Gillies are likely 2 of the most talented players that school has ever seen.

[Calgary4LIfe]

Leaman has a very solid reputation in the NCAA. He was brought on to turn that program around. That is a very good point Alberta Beef.

Providence has been trending up, and will continue doing so. I actually expect more high-profile players to start committing to Providence, and then Providence can hopefully start becoming more of an offensive team when more talent is in place.

It isn't a terrible situation for Jankowski to be in, however. There will be more fingers pointing at his lack of offence, but for those that follow NCAA, you really have to look at the programs and the talent levels on each team. Jankowski will still come out of that program (under Leaman) as a sound 2-way player. Hopefully next year and the year after they will be more offensive, and Jankowski will have more guys that can be the beneficiaries of his passing and vision, but in the meantime he will also learn defence and will learn to try and impose himself more in games himself.

[Enoch Root]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

Yea, that was a "green text" comment. I'm just trying to fit into all the conspiracy and hype in this thread. My real opinion is a lot closer to this:

We did not make the best draft selection when we chose Jankowski. I think everyone can agree that though Jankowski may still seem intriguing, it was probably too bring of a risk to pass up on some of the other guys available at the higher number. That being said... GET OVER IT! We chose Jankowski, and it's Jankowski we have. No more rehash of that please!

Secondly, in choosing Jankowski and having him play at Providence college two things should be expected. Low scoring output, and slow-and-steady all around growth. I'm happy with it. People want goals, but did you know "Mauermann's 18 goals are the most for a Friar since Peter Fregoe's 23 in 2002-03. 1st Friar w/31 pts since 2005-06" <- twitter source.

So he plays on a low scoring college team, and so he's not putting it through the roof. Div 1 is not as divided as it once was, and goal scoring has been trending down in that league for over a decade.

What we saw at prospect camp was a lanky teen with all the tools to be a scoring pro, so long as everything went right for the next 4-5 years so he could put it all together.

I wish people wouldn't blow his career up game-by-game, but I suppose we've got to talk about something.

As for the Burke talk, it really won't be his decision anyway (at least it shouldn't be.) A new GM will be in place long before that contract comes up.

Yeah sorry, I should have caught that

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Leaman has a very solid reputation in the NCAA. He was brought on to turn that program around. That is a very good point Alberta Beef.

Providence has been trending up, and will continue doing so. I actually expect more high-profile players to start committing to Providence, and then Providence can hopefully start becoming more of an offensive team when more talent is in place.

It isn't a terrible situation for Jankowski to be in, however. There will be more fingers pointing at his lack of offence, but for those that follow NCAA, you really have to look at the programs and the talent levels on each team. Jankowski will still come out of that program (under Leaman) as a sound 2-way player. Hopefully next year and the year after they will be more offensive, and Jankowski will have more guys that can be the beneficiaries of his passing and vision, but in the meantime he will also learn defence and will learn to try and impose himself more in games himself.

I agree with all of this, except I do still believe recruiting for a religious school makes things much more difficult. Especially when you aren't one of the premier religious schools like Notre Dame.

I found a list of commits to Providence on the College Hockey Inc. website, currently they can look forward to the additions of:

Logan Day (South Shore Kings, USPHL)

Defense
Age : 20 Height: 6'0 Weight: 200
GP: 44 Goals: 12 Assists: 25 Points: 37

Alex Cromwell (Fort McMurray Oil Barons, AJHL)

Right Wing
Age : 19 Height: 6'2 Weight: 201
GP: 21 Goals: 2 Assists: 9 Points: 11

Jake Walman (Toronto Jr. Canadiens, OJHL)

Defense
Age : 17 Height: 6'1 Weight: 174
GP: 32 Goals: 5 Assists: 19 Points: 24

Terrance Amarossa (Sioux City Muskateers - USHL)

Defense
Age : 19 Height: 6'2 Weight: 190
GP: 32 Goals: 2 Assists: 7 Points: 9
Drafted: Philadelphia Flyers 2013 - 5th Round, 132nd overall

Dylan McLaughlin (Cedar Rapids Rough Riders)

Centre
Age : 18 Height: 5'10 Weight: 172
GP: 41 Goals: 5 Assists: 19 Points: 24

Brian Pinho (Indiana Ice - USHL)

Centre
Age : 18 Height: 6'0 Weight: 172
GP: 40 Goals: 12 Assists: 16 Points: 28
Drafted: Washington Capitals 2013 - 6th Round, 174th overall

Unfortunately so far for next season it doesn't appear much in terms of offense will be joining the program. The additions of Amarossa and Pinho will bring the number of drafted players in the program to 6 (the only drafted higher than the 5th round being Janko and Gillies)

[Husky]

He has now tied his point total from last year in 5 fewer games.

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

Yeah sorry, I should have caught that

I just need to use green text when appropriate.

Mentioned in another thread but he finished last year +5. He's currently +13, second on the team behind Mauermann's +22.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Calgary4LIfe

Declaring anyone a 'winner' and a 'loser' so close after the draft, is folly. Declaring you are not interested in discussing who may be the better player in the long run after a draft... well.. I guess then there is no discussion.

My argument is not who is better, its who is better for the Flames right now. The OP has to be willing to concede that much if there's actually going to be a discussion on the long term potential of either player. As a Flames fan its slightly disappointing to see people unwilling to consider the fact that as of right now, it clearly looks like the team skipped over a very good pick for a wildcard.

In Maatta, at worst the flames would have a very promising NHL (and Olympian) defender at 19. In Janko, at worst they have a young prospect who could turn into something after college. This is way too long to invest in the chance a first rounder works out unless you're a team with a stacked pipeline and in no need of immediate help imo.

Now, if Maata was still floundering in Europe or Junior leagues and not on Team Finland at the Olympics, we probably aren't even talking about this. But he is and it makes for a pretty gut wrenching comparison if you hold the two players side by side at this point.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

right now

These 2 words should not even be in your vocabulary when discussing players less than 2 years after being drafted. The fact you insist on repeating them as if they are important quite frankly makes any of your thoughts on the subject irrelevant.

[stignasty]

Originally Posted by Hot_Flatus

My argument is not who is better, its who is better for the Flames right now.

Sunk cost. Does not matter.

[icecube]

Originally Posted by Alberta_Beef

These 2 words should not even be in your vocabulary when discussing players less than 2 years after being drafted. The fact you insist on repeating them as if they are important quite frankly makes any of your thoughts on the subject irrelevant.

I firmly disagree in this instance. Maata is a top four d man and an Olympian right now. We are in denial and pain avoidance mode around here.

I truly hope Jankowski turns out for us. But I have a hard time believing he will be a better player than Maata.

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by icecube

I firmly disagree in this instance. Maata is a top four d man and an Olympian right now. We are in denial and pain avoidance mode around here.

I truly hope Jankowski turns out for us. But I have a hard time believing he will be a better player than Maata.

no one is saying he will be better, we are just saying we don't know.

I would also suggest that calling Maata a top 4 defenseman is one hell of a stretch, maybe the Pens have been forced to use him in such a role but it is not by choice.

Also being an Olympian means very little since Finland is not a country loaded with defensemen, its like bragging that Cervenka, Berra or Smid are Olympians.

[icecube]

I wouldn't call it a stretch at all. He's playing awesome with the time he's been given. He's also playing great for Finland. No need to diminish his impressive accomplishments to make us feel better about our draft pick.

[Hugh Jahrmes]

2-1 overtime win for Canada suggests Finland wasn't just riding hot goaltending.. We are stacked offensively. I hope janko excels but I really don't like thinking about maata

[Alberta_Beef]

Originally Posted by icecube

I wouldn't call it a stretch at all. He's playing awesome with the time he's been given. He's also playing great for Finland. No need to diminish his impressive accomplishments to make us feel better about our draft pick.

I am not diminishing anything. I am stating simple facts.

Matta has played an average of under 18 minutes per night this season for the Penguins, that is 6th among their "regular" defensemen. I put the word regular in quotations because of the significant amounts of games that they have missed. So saying he is not a top 4 defenseman is really not diminishing anything, he has played well when needed but it is way too soon to anoint him a current top 4 defenseman.

As for Finland again I am not diminishing anything, their blueline is nothing to write home about. Maata is one of 4 Finish defensemen currently playing in the NHL, so it wasmore or less a given he would make the team. Their Olympic blueline that has 39 year old Sami Salo as well as non-NHLers Ossi Vaananen, Lasse Kukkonen, Sami Lepisto and Juuso Hietanen.

Perhaps you shouldn't overstate the accomplishments of Maata just to try and make our pick look bad.

[Enoch Root]

Yeah, I don't want to take anything away from Maatta making the team and putting up some points, but let's be clear here: Salo is playing top 4 for Finland and there is no way in hell I would want him on the Flames.

Maatta has been playing well but the Canadians brutally exposed him more than once. Still, I give him credit for what he has done.