Seattle expansion draft

[Anglesmith]

That's ridiculous. I get that the NHL wants expansion teams to be profitable sooner than later but just magic-ing a contender into existence is unfair to the other teams in the conference.

On principle, I agree with you. Expansion is supposed to introduce a team into the league so that they can start the process of building a team "properly" (ie using the same methods that every other team gets to use). The expansion draft itself should not be a factor in success, IMO.

However, for what it's worth, a large part of Vegas' success came from league-wide misunderstandings and misconceptions due to the fact that this was the first ever expansion under a salary cap. I don't think Seattle will get any of those same breaks.

 

[Volica]

Yeah, but you also said it take a tremendous development curve for Janko to be as good as Backlund in 2 years, the thing is while I think it is unlikely, Janko has been on a tremendous development curve. But you will never admit that because you like to write him off

He's not a write off, like Poirier, Shinkaruk, et al. He's just not a core piece in my eyes. I don't think he thinks the game at a high enough level, or has a high enough ceiling to be.

I think he could carve out a good bottom 6C role, and be a longterm Flame even; and I agree his development has been great from terrible high school pick, to meh, to good college prospect, to good AHL prospect. I just don't see him getting to Backlund's level anytime soon. One guy's one of the elite shut down centres in the league.

 

[Mobiandi]

When the third line was on in November, Jankowski was great. His play fell off after the bye-week because I don't think he was fit enough for an 82-game season. It happens to a lot of rookies.

He's probably training hard right now and will be better next season

 

[Volica]

When the third line was on in November, Jankowski was great. His play fell off after the bye-week because I don't think he was fit enough for an 82-game season. It happens to a lot of rookies.

He's probably training hard right now and will be better next season

I really liked that third line in November/December, but from my recollection that was driven by Bennett; where he was easily the best player on Calgary for a 10 game stretch or so.

I hope he continues to improve. It'd be awesome having him as 40 point centre on this team. That goal total is great though for a rook, even if he's older than some 5th year players.