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C Mark Jankowski - Providence College, NCAA (2012, 21st, CGY)

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superhakan said:
Ask an ye shall receive.

:57 second mark. Do not miss it, absolutely magical.

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Copy-pasting what I said in the HFFlames prospect thread about this goal:

Chips it past two players at the centre line, uses his teammate and another defender in front of the net as a screen, fakes the shot, freezes the goaltender, uses his humongous reach to pull it back and throws an easy backhand into the empty net.

His skating seems pretty fluid although not quite at an NHL standard, but it's very promising.

Don't forget that Jon Gillies is on that Providence team as well and he's slated to be USA's starter in the WJC. Pretty good game for him. Helped lift Providence (ranked 8th) past Miami (#3) tonight with a 33-save performance, their record is 4-0-0 to start the season.
 
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I expect nothing less from [insert legend player name here] and the [insert Feaster joke here]. Honestly, good for Jankowski! I'm happy to hear that he is playing well. :D
 
People still laugh, but this kid has a very high ceiling. Questions about his floor is fair, but the ceiling is very high.

I disagree with Autograph above, however. I think his skating is more than acceptable for the NHL. Not the fastest, but definitely average at worst. Will only improve. I thought he was a much better skater than Monahan was at camp, and I don't think anyone is going to say Monahan is a poor skater (average?) in the NHL.
 
Reinhart said:
People still laugh, but this kid has a very high ceiling. Questions about his floor is fair, but the ceiling is very high.

I disagree with Autograph above, however. I think his skating is more than acceptable for the NHL. Not the fastest, but definitely average at worst. Will only improve. I thought he was a much better skater than Monahan was at camp, and I don't think anyone is going to say Monahan is a poor skater (average?) in the NHL.
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Janko is an above average skater. He was definitely one of the faster players at the prospect camp.
 
Reinhart said:
People still laugh, but this kid has a very high ceiling. Questions about his floor is fair, but the ceiling is very high.

I disagree with Autograph above, however. I think his skating is more than acceptable for the NHL. Not the fastest, but definitely average at worst. Will only improve. I thought he was a much better skater than Monahan was at camp, and I don't think anyone is going to say Monahan is a poor skater (average?) in the NHL.
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superhakan said:
Janko is an above average skater. He was definitely one of the faster players at the prospect camp.
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First of all, Monahan is frequently (and rightly) described as needing work on his first step as he is not quite explosive enough and that working on his initial acceleration would bring his game to another level. It's true that he is average in this regard.

Secondly, speed is not the only factor that determines whether a player is a good skater. How fluid and economical their strides are, whether their balance is any good, how is their speed on the transition (crossovers, edgework, etc.) is a huge deal.

He made another collegiate team look slow as he was exiting his zone and caught basically 4 players flatfooted and that undoubtedly makes him look better as a result. Collegiate-level players are his competition, but I wouldn't say that that is a great indicator of how his skating will rank amongst the top six centres of the NHL. Having watched a couple of their games, I would say that Jankowski could be an above-average skater at the NHL level if he works on his stride mechanics more - he has the advantage of a long, lanky body. Currently, he is average at best in his overall skating, but his top speed is aided again by that naturally long stride which, as evidenced in this video, makes him look better than what he is on an average-shift basis.

Compare him to Poirier, the Flames' best-skating prospect, and it's not even fair. It's not speed, it's just the entire movement is so much more productive, smooth, and prominent. Not saying he has to skate like Poirier to be effective, but it's a night-and-day comparison.
 
superhakan said:
Ask an ye shall receive.

:57 second mark. Do not miss it, absolutely magical.

Click to expand...


obama-not-bad.jpeg


Hoping he keeps it up. A .75PPG is what I am hoping for.
 
Autograph said:
First of all, Monahan is frequently (and rightly) described as needing work on his first step as he is not quite explosive enough and that working on his initial acceleration would bring his game to another level. It's true that he is average in this regard.

Secondly, speed is not the only factor that determines whether a player is a good skater. How fluid and economical their strides are, whether their balance is any good, how is their speed on the transition (crossovers, edgework, etc.) is a huge deal.

He made another collegiate team look slow as he was exiting his zone and caught basically 4 players flatfooted and that undoubtedly makes him look better as a result. Collegiate-level players are his competition, but I wouldn't say that that is a great indicator of how his skating will rank amongst the top six centres of the NHL. Having watched a couple of their games, I would say that Jankowski could be an above-average skater at the NHL level if he works on his stride mechanics more - he has the advantage of a long, lanky body. Currently, he is average at best in his overall skating, but his top speed is aided again by that naturally long stride which, as evidenced in this video, makes him look better than what he is on an average-shift basis.

Compare him to Poirier, the Flames' best-skating prospect, and it's not even fair. It's not speed, it's just the entire movement is so much more productive, smooth, and prominent. Not saying he has to skate like Poirier to be effective, but it's a night-and-day comparison.
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Not sure I am understanding the comparison. Poirier is an amazing skater in spite of his mechanics. That is why some scouts pointed out that skating was a 'weakness' of Poirier. I think Jankowski is a better skater than Poirier (mechanics and edgework) than Poirier, but Poirier has blistering speed somehow (and it makes me curious if his top-end speed and acceleration increase if his mechanics are 'fixed').

I am by no means an expert on skating, but I remember Weisbrod commenting on how fluid and exceptional of a skater Jankowski was as he was viewing him. You may be right though - I just don't really see it, but again, not an expert here.
 
Reinhart said:
Not sure I am understanding the comparison. Poirier is an amazing skater in spite of his mechanics. That is why some scouts pointed out that skating was a 'weakness' of Poirier. I think Jankowski is a better skater than Poirier (mechanics and edgework) than Poirier, but Poirier has blistering speed somehow (and it makes me curious if his top-end speed and acceleration increase if his mechanics are 'fixed').

I am by no means an expert on skating, but I remember Weisbrod commenting on how fluid and exceptional of a skater Jankowski was as he was viewing him. You may be right though - I just don't really see it, but again, not an expert here.
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From everything I've seen and heard, you are right. Poirier skating was considered a "knock" despite quite possibly being the fastest "non Mackinnon" in the draft. His technique/edge work needs refining. Jankowski is a guy who is always skating with above average speed but doesn't look like it because of his long stride.

My only knock against Janko from the times I've seen him is he is too skinny/weak and easy to knock off the puck. He also needs to play a bit more "engaged", and be part of the action. He has great hands, reach, shot, with good skating and passing. He has to fill out while continuing rounding out his offensive game. With a lot of work he could be a number 1 or 2 Centre.
 
Reinhart said:
Not sure I am understanding the comparison. Poirier is an amazing skater in spite of his mechanics. That is why some scouts pointed out that skating was a 'weakness' of Poirier. I think Jankowski is a better skater than Poirier (mechanics and edgework) than Poirier, but Poirier has blistering speed somehow (and it makes me curious if his top-end speed and acceleration increase if his mechanics are 'fixed').

I am by no means an expert on skating, but I remember Weisbrod commenting on how fluid and exceptional of a skater Jankowski was as he was viewing him. You may be right though - I just don't really see it, but again, not an expert here.
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I haven't watched as much of Poirier (though I should, because he is having a fantastic start to the season) but I would say his edgework needs more polish. However, his strides are nice and long and it carries his large frame well, but this is after the more rugged, rough-looking start. He also possesses that elusive explosive first step. His style is a bit choppy-looking, but with notable speedsters Hall and MacKinnon also possessing these traits, I've recently restructured my way of thinking about how hockey players should skate.

In my opinion, there's three types, and they're both decent and can be utilized in the NHL.

- One is the best to look at and the most popular; Bobby Orr's stride, or a better modern-day comparison is Karlsson. You won't notice his gears shifting, but he can get up to top speed in a hurry and look good doing it, and overall he is very smooth. Good style overall and especially useful for mobile defenders.

- Or, you have Taylor Hall: still very effective, doesn't actually waste energy per stride but just looks choppier, lacks the polish, but is much faster in a north-south race and the acceleration alone is too much to handle for the average NHL skater.

- The third, which is the least common because it's probably more of a mindset than it is a trainable style, is shifty-style skating; very reliant of edgework and less about explosive steps or smooth strides, but it's perfect for dekes and skill forwards in general. Not surprisingly, Kane and Datsyuk utilize this style the most and not many players are able to follow suit. Great in corners, in tight, etc.

Jankowski has time yet to become more like a Karlsson-style of skater, which is also more prevalent in the NHL as it is. I doubt he'll pick up that ability to aggressively accelerate like Poirier, and Poirier won't incorporate much of the smooth striding style until later in his career. All in all, if Jankowski makes the NHL I believe that as long as he can skate at someone like Thornton's level it will suit his style best. Not many centres of his intellectual calibre tend to carry the puck in, leaving it to the wingers to chase or carry, and it allows centres of his ilk to read the developing play even better. He doesn't need to skate like Poirier, just as Poirier doesn't need to skate like Jankowski. But styles notwithstanding, I strongly believe Poirier is currently the better skater than Jankowski.
 
Autograph said:
First of all, Monahan is frequently (and rightly) described as needing work on his first step as he is not quite explosive enough and that working on his initial acceleration would bring his game to another level. It's true that he is average in this regard.

Secondly, speed is not the only factor that determines whether a player is a good skater. How fluid and economical their strides are, whether their balance is any good, how is their speed on the transition (crossovers, edgework, etc.) is a huge deal.

He made another collegiate team look slow as he was exiting his zone and caught basically 4 players flatfooted and that undoubtedly makes him look better as a result. Collegiate-level players are his competition, but I wouldn't say that that is a great indicator of how his skating will rank amongst the top six centres of the NHL. Having watched a couple of their games, I would say that Jankowski could be an above-average skater at the NHL level if he works on his stride mechanics more - he has the advantage of a long, lanky body. Currently, he is average at best in his overall skating, but his top speed is aided again by that naturally long stride which, as evidenced in this video, makes him look better than what he is on an average-shift basis.

Compare him to Poirier, the Flames' best-skating prospect, and it's not even fair. It's not speed, it's just the entire movement is so much more productive, smooth, and prominent. Not saying he has to skate like Poirier to be effective, but it's a night-and-day comparison.
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In first hand viewing him at the prospects camp, my biggest takeaway was his skating. It was NHL quality in terms of mobility, explosiveness and speed. I think that will be the least of his worries.
 
Jankowski highlights from just this week

Credits to AC from Calgarypuck for putting it together.

 
Chris Butler said:
Jankowski highlights from just this week

Credits to AC from Calgarypuck for putting it together.

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Granted, the last goal was against AIC, but still good to see.

Anyone who really followed the draft that year knew it really wasn't a reach (I didn't consider him to be a realistic option for the Rangers at 29). His upside is tremendous, he just needs to keep filling out his frame and have it catch up to his skill level.
 
Very impressive goals. And yes I'd say especially if Monahan doesn't go to play that his chances are even better. Janko appears to be really growing his game. Very impressed.
 
Pajicz said:
Any chance Jankowski could get into the WJC team?
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Absolutely guaranteed. After all, his uncle works for the Team Canada scouting department, how can he NOT make it?

/some sarcasm required, batteries not included.
 
King Of The North said:
Generally more favour towards CHL players no?
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That's probaly just because the best Canadian talent usually play in CHL instead of going the college route...

Anyway, I'd really like to see him playing in Malmö. One of the most interesting prospects in my opinion, even though he's Calgary's pick. ;)
 
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