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Calgary Flames Monday Roundtable: Preseason/training camp

By Ramina Shlah

CALGARY, AB - FEBRUARY 1: Sam Bennett #93 of the Calgary Flames skates against the Minnesota Wild during an NHL game on February 1, 2017 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images)
CALGARY, AB - FEBRUARY 1: Sam Bennett #93 of the Calgary Flames skates against the Minnesota Wild during an NHL game on February 1, 2017 at the Scotiabank Saddledome in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. (Photo by Gerry Thomas/NHLI via Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 28 2016: (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY – NOVEMBER 28 2016: (Photo by Bruce Bennett/Getty Images) /

Question 5: Will Mark Jankowski finally get his shot at a full-time NHL job this year?

Jonathan Boulanger

Absolutely. I don’t think there’s any doubt about it. This kid is impressive and had put his time in with the AHL squad, and is ready for a full-time NHL job. Not only that, I think he will have a significant role on the team this season.

Ian Gustafson

I think Jankowski should get a shot at the lineup this year. He has definitely proven himself so far but the real question is where does he fit in? Maybe with Gaudreau and Monahan? Or maybe with Backlund and Frolik? Then move Ferland or Tkachuk down to play with Bennett on the third line. That is something worth considering.

Tom Oppolzer

Absolutely. Jankowski had a fantastic rookie AHL campaign and he’s followed that up with a great rookie camp and now he’s scored a goal in every pre-season game. The only way Jankowski doesn’t make the opening night lineup is if he gets injured.

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Benjamin Prokopy

Yes, but not at centre. There is no question that Jankowski has been exceptional in training camp. Unfortunately, though, he suffers from the same limiting set of circumstances as Bennett. The team is pretty rich up the centre of the ice. He’s not likely to displace any of Monahan, Backlund or Bennett. He could move Matt Stajan to the press box, but putting him on the fourth line would be a waste of his offensive abilities. Those abilities are going to be needed on this team where goal scoring is likely going to be the team’s biggest problem. I like the idea of a Versteeg/Bennett/Jankowski line. But time will tell.

Dan Raicevich

Yes. Expect him to play on a line with Bennett and Versteeg in nine days at Rogers Place.

Ramina Shlah

I think he will be named to the Calgary Flames roster, but I won’t be surprised if he spends some guys in the pressbox. I don’t think that’ll be good for his development, but if that were the case, I don’t think he’ll spend a lot of time keeping the bench warm. Like Ben said, he might not be spending a lot of time at centre because of the depth the Flames already have at centre.

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