Mark "Fricken" Jankowski (aka The Big Jankowski)

[3rd line Grinder]

Originally Posted by Crumpy-Gunt

Haters gon' hate.

Shake it off janko, shake it off

[Where ru Chris O'Sullivan]

Understand the concern that he will one day contribute to the flames.

But, the administration which "hung their hat" on picking him is long gone. Can't really do much more than that, if he ever plays a game, that's a win.

[Hot_Flatus]

Originally Posted by Enoch Root

The media says things like that because the media likes labels.

It's why the Oilers are still 'the young and talented' while the Flames are still 'hardworking overachievers'

Just because the media sticks with things like that, doesn't make them true or relevant.

The draft is a snapshot, a moment in time. It is irrelevant now.

I honestly wonder how many times a year those in the NHL circle (players, coaches, fans and media alike) reference "former 20 goal guy", "former first round pick" or "former coach of the year"? Would you then call all of the above irrelevant to any discussion at this point and time as well since each is also a moment in time? I certainly hear non-media types reiterating these sentiments countless times throughout the year making it far from taboo, as you suggest.

If all an argument is based on is draft status, I can understand your stance on the issue. However, in the case it was brought up in; alongside Janko's shockingly low SOG totals, overall production decline and regressing numbers as a workhorse on the team, it is hardly worthy of being viewed in that regard. Picking out a small fragment like that is nothing more than deflecting.

[PeteMoss]

Originally Posted by Beatle17

He's 20 how is this considered a late bloomer? He has grown 8" and 50# in the last 3 years so it may just take him some time to become the player he will be.

He's a first round pick. Not an undrafted free agent.

[Red Menace]

I think what many fail to realize when they use the "he's not producing because he is on a low scoring team" argument, is the obvious: if he was a better player the team would be scoring more goals.
Janko is not even one of our top 15 prospects anymore... Maybe that will change, but at this point one cannot classify the pick as anything other than a failure.
Hopefully that will change in next year or 2.

[thymebalm]

Originally Posted by Red Menace

I think what many fail to realize when they use the "he's not producing because he is on a low scoring team" argument, is the obvious: if he was a better player the team would be scoring more goals.
Janko is not even one of our top 15 prospects anymore... Maybe that will change, but at this point one cannot classify the pick as anything other than a failure.
Hopefully that will change in next year or 2.

I disagree.

Take Josh Jooris.

Union was a very defensive team, and even though Jooris never had more 32 points in a season, scouts raved about his offensive instincts and ability. He was trying out for NHL squads every summer. Sometimes the numbers lie. He was never going to have explosive numbers with Union, even if it was part of his package or potential.

If Jankowski was playing for BU or BC, then you'd expect something different, but Providence relies on Gillies and good defence to compete against the higher scoring squads.

--

I still firmly believe that Jankowski has all the tools to be a solid pro. Those like you, who call the pick a failure before he even leaves the amateur ranks are putting the cart before the horse.

After Jankowski, only Maatta and Anderson have had much impact with their clubs. One could argue Pearson too, but that sample size is pretty small at this point. That's 3 players after Janko out of 190.

Based just on the numbers, I can't see anything wrong with Jankowski. I don't know what people are expecting, or why they beat up on this pick so much. It must be Feaster's sell job on it, which was unfair to Janko then, and still haunts him now.

He'll likely be physically mature enough to turn pro after this season, along with Gillies, then we can see how he does in our system against pros.

I believe all those who saw him perform at development camp put his skill set right behind Moneyhands and Johnny Hockey. Seems like its worth waiting until he turns pro before we throw him under the bus for good.

[nik-]

I honestly think that being at Providence has killed his chances at being an NHL'er. He needed to develop an offensive game as well as being sound defensively. Not 100% in one way. Obviously that system is so stifling that it's damaging.

[lanny9]

Originally Posted by nik-

I honestly think that being at Providence has killed his chances at being an NHL'er. He needed to develop an offensive game as well as being sound defensively. Not 100% in one way. Obviously that system is so stifling that it's damaging.

That's why hopefully this well be his last year there, onto the AHL for him!

[CliffFletcher]

It seems like it's impossible to express any concern or doubt on this site about the development of prospects without the usual suspects jumping down your throat. It's one of those things that calls into question whether the Flames' fanbase really is any less delusional than the Oilers'.

[lanny9]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

It seems like it's impossible to express any concern or doubt on this site about the development of prospects without the usual suspects jumping down your throat. It's one of those things that calls into question whether the Flames' fanbase really is any less delusional than the Oilers'.

There is a difference in the way people view prospects, there are those who want to see them in the NHL yesterday and then those who take a longer view. I fall into the longer view category,especially with anyone who isn't a high first rounder, let the kids develop without dumping on them at every chance. As I said in the Klimchuck forum, I see guys that are drafted mid to late first round as long term prospects, making 3-5 year developmental time. Jankowski falls into this category, therfore I have no concern. Once he hits the AHL and shows no progression under the Flames system then I will start to worry,til then let him continue playing within the system he finds himself in currently.

[JiriHrdina]

Originally Posted by CliffFletcher

It seems like it's impossible to express any concern or doubt on this site about the development of prospects without the usual suspects jumping down your throat. It's one of those things that calls into question whether the Flames' fanbase really is any less delusional than the Oilers'.

Well overall the fan bases are probably quite similar in their outlooks. I think it is a mistake to ever think that one fan base differs too much from another. Except Canuck fans - they are clearly worse. We can all agree on that point.

The fact is few prospects drafts in the 20s will become impact NHL players so the easiest way to be right is to predict failure.

I think poorly defended negative views on this site spark the most outrage. Strongly articulated viewpoints, whether positive or negative are generally received well.

[saillias]

"He's buried behind Mauermann!"
"His school doesn't attract talent so his linemates suck"
"His team plays too defensive of a style"
"He had a really quick growth spurt and he's still growing into his body"
"It was too big of a big jump from high school level hockey to college"
"He was drafted in the second half of the first round so we can't expect him to be that great"

lol it's just too much. Not a very good pick. A bad move to trade down from 14th to 21st, and a bad move to pick the player we picked. A poor prospect not trending up. Let's call a spade a spade.

[FlameZilla]

Originally Posted by saillias

"He's buried behind Mauermann!"
"His school doesn't attract talent so his linemates suck"
"His team plays too defensive of a style"
"He had a really quick growth spurt and he's still growing into his body"
"It was too big of a big jump from high school level hockey to college"
"He was drafted in the second half of the first round so we can't expect him to be that great"

lol it's just too much. Not a very good pick. A bad move to trade down from 14th to 21st, and a bad move to pick the player we picked. A poor prospect not trending up. Let's call a spade a spade.

It was 2 drafts ago. Everyone in charge then was fired.

Get over it.

[UKflames]

Whilst I cannot predict the future like some on here, I do find it amazing that we have written this guy off before he has even played a pro game at the AHL or NHL level.
There are players that have had an amazing college career and then gone on to nothing more than play beer league, lets give the guy a chance to get some pro hockey under his belt before we decide anything, good or bad.

[Caged Great]

A quickish 6-4 center that's good on faceoffs and is good defensively and is competent offensively. Nobody can find a use for that type of guy at all....

[Vulcan]

Originally Posted by UKflames

Whilst I cannot predict the future like some on here, I do find it amazing that we have written this guy off before he has even played a pro game at the AHL or NHL level.
There are players that have had an amazing college career and then gone on to nothing more than play beer league, lets give the guy a chance to get some pro hockey under his belt before we decide anything, good or bad.

I don't think anyone is writing him off, at least I'm not but he isn't trending up either. He has some good tool sets but so far he's looking pretty average as he doesn't seem to be able to put it together.

[getbak]

For anyone looking to see Jankowski (and Gillies and Gilmour) in action, they're playing in a tournament at the University of Vermont today and tomorrow. Both games will be streamed for free.

Today's game is at 4:00pm ET (2 MT): http://nsnsports.net/event/providenc...s-mens-hockey/

[dammage79]

Scored a goal today I read.

[getbak]

Two point game today. 1 goal, 1 assist.

There is still 6 minutes left in the game.

[smiggy77]

Originally Posted by thymebalm

I disagree.

Take Josh Jooris.

Union was a very defensive team, and even though Jooris never had more 32 points in a season, scouts raved about his offensive instincts and ability. He was trying out for NHL squads every summer. Sometimes the numbers lie. He was never going to have explosive numbers with Union, even if it was part of his package or potential.

If Jankowski was playing for BU or BC, then you'd expect something different, but Providence relies on Gillies and good defence to compete against the higher scoring squads.

--

I still firmly believe that Jankowski has all the tools to be a solid pro. Those like you, who call the pick a failure before he even leaves the amateur ranks are putting the cart before the horse.

After Jankowski, only Maatta and Anderson have had much impact with their clubs. One could argue Pearson too, but that sample size is pretty small at this point. That's 3 players after Janko out of 190.

Based just on the numbers, I can't see anything wrong with Jankowski. I don't know what people are expecting, or why they beat up on this pick so much. It must be Feaster's sell job on it, which was unfair to Janko then, and still haunts him now.

He'll likely be physically mature enough to turn pro after this season, along with Gillies, then we can see how he does in our system against pros.

I believe all those who saw him perform at development camp put his skill set right behind Moneyhands and Johnny Hockey. Seems like its worth waiting until he turns pro before we throw him under the bus for good.

god i love rationality. I wish more people would just realize that there is a lot we don't see on this side of the table that scouting teams see first hand.