Prospect Info: 2015-16 Calgary Flames Prospect Stats & Discussion Thread (CHL, NCAA & Europe)

[Body Checker]

Mark Jankowski now has 13 in 10 games, and is getting a ton of praise from his coaches.

The best part of the Friars success? St Louis somehow gets another top defensive prospect in the later rounds

Jankowski = backlund's eventual replacement

Monohan
Bennett
Jankowski

Unless austin Matthews throws a wrench in that

 

[Ynnek]

Another Goal and assist for Janko after 20 minutes tonight.

 

[Lunatik]

I feel somewhat vindicated for all the time I have spend defending Janko lol

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

Jankowski = backlund's eventual replacement

Monohan
Bennett
Jankowski

Unless austin Matthews throws a wrench in that

Jankowski will be a top 6 forward for Calgary, Backlund's eventual role will be 3rd line.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

I feel like Janko will have a legit shot at making our roster next year depending on his weight.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

He's definitely getting better. I'm still not sure he screams top-6 lock like some fans are proclaiming. It will be interesting for sure though, he is starting to become the player Feaster and so on envisioned.

 

[InfinityIggy]

Jankowski will be a top 6 forward for Calgary, Backlund's eventual role will be 3rd line.

#retweet. At least I hope so

 

[Volica]

#retweet. At least I hope so

It'd be a fairly perfect world if we had someone who could move Backlund to the third line. Bennett could probably do it, but then there'd be another hole on LW.

When you look this Flames team over, there are gaps all over the place; not a ton of help coming from the minors either for these gaps.

 

[InfinityIggy]

It'd be a fairly perfect world if we had someone who could move Backlund to the third line. Bennett could probably do it, but then there'd be another hole on LW.

When you look this Flames team over, there are gaps all over the place; not a ton of help coming from the minors either for these gaps.

I am very optimistic Klimchuk and Poirier are going to close some of those gaps for us.

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

It'd be a fairly perfect world if we had someone who could move Backlund to the third line. Bennett could probably do it, but then there'd be another hole on LW.

When you look this Flames team over, there are gaps all over the place; not a ton of help coming from the minors either for these gaps.

I could see our Top 6 forwards next season as:

Gaudreau-Jankowski-Monahan (or Gaudreau-Monahan-Jankowski. Whoever proves to be better defensively at center plays center. Tough to compare that across leagues, but I really love Jankowski's stick and body positioning and I've noted the aggressiveness he shows on the PK to cut down time and space exceptionally. I think Monahan's offense will open up on the wing, and for a goal scorer like him, that means 40+ goals with a lot more open ice. It'd still be the Gaudreau line all-in-all of course)

Granlund-Bennett-Frolik (Sniper, Line Driver, Possession driver. Bennett is our long term #1C and the only center on the team that can truly carry a line. Granlund has the skill to play in the top 6 at wing and with that shot could be a 22+ goal scorer with Bennett and Frolik setting him up. He's always been a terrible fit at 4th line center, his best NHL success came on the Gaudreau-Hudler line and getting copious PP time.)

 

[Master Bill]

I could see our Top 6 forwards next season as:

Gaudreau-Jankowski-Monahan (or Gaudreau-Monahan-Jankowski. Whoever proves to be better defensively at center plays center. Tough to compare that across leagues, but I really love Jankowski's stick and body positioning and I've noted the aggressiveness he shows on the PK to cut down time and space exceptionally. I think Monahan's offense will open up on the wing, and for a goal scorer like him, that means 40+ goals with a lot more open ice. It'd still be the Gaudreau line all-in-all of course)

Granlund-Bennett-Frolik (Sniper, Line Driver, Possession driver. Bennett is our long term #1C and the only center on the team that can truly carry a line. Granlund has the skill to play in the top 6 at wing and with that shot could be a 22+ goal scorer with Bennett and Frolik setting him up. He's always been a terrible fit at 4th line center, his best NHL success came on the Gaudreau-Hudler line and getting copious PP time.)

I really do not see Granlund breaking into the team permanently any time soon. In fact, I think his time here is nearing its end.

Some posters here are saying Granlund is better suited as a winger but you have to remember that he was drafted as a winger, but the Flames management clearly indicated he's more suited in the center and converted him right away after the draft.

I agree with the decision. He really should be a better skater for someone of his size, and his lack of strength and speed definitely will not serve him well as a winger. He's not as shifty as Gaudreau or Bennett, so he often struggles in creating space for himself.

Just a shame. He doesn't have the necessities to be a top 6, but is not physical and tenacious enough to be a bottom 6.

 

[Lunatik]

I really do not see Granlund breaking into the team permanently any time soon. In fact, I think his time here is nearing its end.

Some posters here are saying Granlund is better suited as a winger but you have to remember that he was drafted as a winger, but the Flames management clearly indicated he's more suited in the center and converted him right away after the draft.

I agree with the decision. He really should be a better skater for someone of his size, and his lack of strength and speed definitely will not serve him well as a winger. He's not as shifty as Gaudreau or Bennett, so he often struggles in creating space for himself.

Just a shame. He doesn't have the necessities to be a top 6, but is not physical and tenacious enough to be a bottom 6.

Granlund has been spending more time on the wing in the AHL this year. Injuries and call ups have faced him back to center more often than not though.

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

I really do not see Granlund breaking into the team permanently any time soon. In fact, I think his time here is nearing its end.

Some posters here are saying Granlund is better suited as a winger but you have to remember that he was drafted as a winger, but the Flames management clearly indicated he's more suited in the center and converted him right away after the draft.

I agree with the decision. He really should be a better skater for someone of his size, and his lack of strength and speed definitely will not serve him well as a winger. He's not as shifty as Gaudreau or Bennett, so he often struggles in creating space for himself.

Granlund does need to get stronger, his lower body strength is a bit disapointing. That said there's nothing stopping him from being that Tier-II type scoring winger like Tatar or Tanner Pearson. Or even Hudler, before Hudler went full-MVP last season.

 

[Volica]

I could see our Top 6 forwards next season as:

Gaudreau-Jankowski-Monahan (or Gaudreau-Monahan-Jankowski. Whoever proves to be better defensively at center plays center. Tough to compare that across leagues, but I really love Jankowski's stick and body positioning and I've noted the aggressiveness he shows on the PK to cut down time and space exceptionally. I think Monahan's offense will open up on the wing, and for a goal scorer like him, that means 40+ goals with a lot more open ice. It'd still be the Gaudreau line all-in-all of course)

I get the optimism about Janko, but to say he's going to centre our top line next year is pretty out there. He's playing excellent in the NCAA this year, but I don't think he's ready to get marched out against the best defensemen of the NHL next year and be expected to hold down Calgary's most offensive line.

I think it'd be good to just see him in the NHL next year

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

I get the optimism about Janko, but to say he's going to centre our top line next year is pretty out there.

Not especially. It's easier to perform with talent like Johnny and Monny than play with grinders for 8 minutes a game. Maybe he'll need some early adjustment to learning the system, as Hamilton did, but just give that 20 games.

He's playing excellent in the NCAA this year, but I don't think he's ready to get marched out against the best defensemen of the NHL next year and be expected to hold down Calgary's most offensive line.

It's the Gaudreau line offensively. Defensively, Jankowski is pretty polished, so I really don't see the issue other than Janko needing some time to adjust to a new league/system (I wasn't talking about a Day One lineup anyways). Honestly, Bennett centering the 2nd line is more likely to have defensive issues. Really, if you think Jankowski is only now taking the next step, you're ignoring his all-around development in the last three years. The only difference now is that he's strong enough to play with men and he's a #1C on his team rather than buried on the third line.

Anyways, think of:

- Langkow centering Iginla / Huselius
- Conroy centering Iginla / Gelinas
- Anisimov centering Kane / Panarin

none of these centers are/were the anchor of their line. But they were a good fit. A 22 year old Jankowski can certainly be that. We're also talking next season, it's not as if he won't further improve this season and off-season.

 

[Anglesmith]

It's true. You don't need to be a first-line centre to centre the first line. That said, I would expect Janko to be eased in, just because it's how we operate.

 

[Lunatik]

It's true. You don't need to be a first-line centre to centre the first line. That said, I would expect Janko to be eased in, just because it's how we operate.

No kidding. Plus immediately throwing him ahead of Monahan, backlund & Benneett (if he's at center) is terrible optics considering he hasn't earned it. Not to mention throwing a rookie straight against top competition is setting him up to fail and pretty much the stupidest thing you can do.

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

It's true. You don't need to be a first-line centre to centre the first line. That said, I would expect Janko to be eased in, just because it's how we operate.

The top 6 I posted was more of a "January+, when Hartley's nightly line blender eases up and some injuries have introduced some callups" thing. I'm not sure Jankowski even technically makes the team out of camp due to waiver status unless he really blows the roof off.

 

[Tkachuk Norris]

My god is he ever getting over-hyped.

I've probably watched as much Jankowski as anyone because I have been following Providence pretty closely and I love watching th NCAA tourney. although, I've only watched 3 of his games this year (one was against SFU and they aren't a fair opponent but yes, Janko dominated. The others were against BU and Janko was pretty good but not outstanding.) He still needs to get stronger on his skates. He isn't going to dominate physically like he does in the NCAA. In fact I reckon he will struggle.
I would be shocked if he doesn't spend the majority of next year in the AHL.

On the first line centering Monahan and Gaudreau? LOL what? He isn't close to as good as Backlund or Monahan at this point.

I honestly don't expect Janko to be as good as Backlund... ever. Let alone in his first year.

I still see Janko as a winger IMO. But I guess time will tell.

 

[Johnny Hoxville]

I think Janko will be better than Backs. He's like a Colborne but only with more skill, more playmaking and more IQ. He's also a better skater, so I see no reason that he can't be an improvement.

 

[Body Checker]

Let's hope Poirier and klimchuk make it ahead of jankowski or we're in a little trouble depth wise in a few years

 

[Lunatik]

My god is he ever getting over-hyped.

I've probably watched as much Jankowski as anyone because I have been following Providence pretty closely and I love watching th NCAA tourney. although, I've only watched 3 of his games this year (one was against SFU and they aren't a fair opponent but yes, Janko dominated. The others were against BU and Janko was pretty good but not outstanding.) He still needs to get stronger on his skates. He isn't going to dominate physically like he does in the NCAA. In fact I reckon he will struggle.
I would be shocked if he doesn't spend the majority of next year in the AHL.

On the first line centering Monahan and Gaudreau? LOL what? He isn't close to as good as Backlund or Monahan at this point.

I honestly don't expect Janko to be as good as Backlund... ever. Let alone in his first year.

I still see Janko as a winger IMO. But I guess time will tell.

One person is over hyping him like that, one single person. Don't make it sound like everyone is making him out to be more than they are.

 

[OvermanKingGainer]

You can accuse me over-hyping Jankowski, I don't mind it. But I certainly see the player differently and honestly his skills are second only to Bennett among all our prospects*. As far as prospects I consider overhyped, I would say Poirier tops my list, but that'd be blasphemy I assume. Maybe we all just see different attributes when we watch these players rather than one person over-hyping and another under-hyping though? Isn't that why we come here to discuss? Or is to shut down dissenting opinion?

There's a bit of a consensus out there that Jankowski's upside is a Jarret Stoll or something at best. That's fine if that's what you believe, but I see a player who's got hockey sense, vision, creativity, puck skills, defensive accumen, and size/skating. Really, I see a player who has no major weaknesses in his game. Is he as good as Monahan? The answer doesn't end with "yes or no", it starts with "at what?". Monahan isn't Connor McDavid here. He's a flawed player who has some serious positives in his game and some rough points that need ironing out. That's true of Bennett, Jankowski, and Monahan. All are very good young players and none are elite in the NHL. Bennett has yet to prove he can play center. Monahan has yet to prove he can drive the play. Jankowski on paper is further behind because he's not even in the NHL yet. But that was the plan the day he was drafted. That doesn't knock him out of that conversation because he wasn't drafted to be a Jarret Stoll.

Now if you think he's still weak on his skates, that's a fair criticism. I would say Monahan's not yet exactly dominant in the corner areas himself, though. Jankowski has like 10 months left before his first NHL training camp. That's a long time to add muscle under a college schedule that's perfect for that. It's a long time to maybe even participate in an AHL Calder Cup run. Who knows? Maybe Jankowski is this year's Bennett and gets some NHL time late in the season. All I know is, Jankowski is a more complete player than any skater prospect we have other than Bennett. What that means for translating to the NHL is a projection that everyone makes differently.

*I haven't seen enough of Mangiapane but Eatbread does seem to have a better snap shot than Janko.

 

[sureloss]

per Ryan Kennedy of the Hockey News

Flames prospect Pavel Karnaukhov has received an invite to the WJC from Belarus and apparently Russia is also interested in him for the WJC as he is a dual citizen.

 

[Volica]

per Ryan Kennedy of the Hockey News

Flames prospect Pavel Karnaukhov has received an invite to the WJC from Belarus and apparently Russia is also interested in him for the WJC as he is a dual citizen.

Nicely done Karny!