Could Jankowski Work Out for the Penguins?

I’ve been quick to criticize GM Jim Rutherford’s moves this off-season. I was especially critical of his bargain-basement signing of former Flame Mark Jankowski with the intent of installing him as third-line center.

After all, the former first-round pick endured a truly miserable season in 2019-20.

The numbers don’t lie. A paltry five goals and seven points in 56 games, to go with a minus-12, 44.8 percent on draws and a 48.0 Corsi.

Yet even in the midst of an awful season, there were flashes. When Jankowski split the defense against Anaheim on February 13 and torched Ducks goalie Ryan Miller, the announcer was moved to comment, “Boy, Jankowski does not look like a player that had three goals going into this game, did he? He just sniped that up into the top corner.”

I decided to take a closer look. Watching highlights of the Hamilton, Ontario native only reinforces the notion that there may be more to this player than meets the eye…or at least the stat line. Certainly more than what he showed last season.

Was it possible 2019-20 was an anomaly…an aberration? After all, Jankowski posted very solid numbers for a third-line center only the season before. In 79 games, he tallied 14 goals and 32 points, won a respectable 52 percent of his faceoffs and for good measure struck for five shorthanded goals.

To put that in perspective, a Penguin hadn’t scored that many shorties since Jordan Staal notched seven back in 2006-07.

Too, as a rookie in 2017-18, Jankowski scored 17 goals…including a four-goal outburst in the season finale. As a general rule, you don’t score four goals in a game by accident. There’s some talent involved.

Back to the video highlights. I have to admit, I’m impressed by what I saw. Jankowski possesses some genuine skill. He does a good job of using his size and reach to change the shooting angle and he can score. What he does very well is drive to the net with authority. He’s also very good at establishing body position in and around the cage to take advantage of rebounds and deflections.

In open ice, he has an easy stride along with a smooth deception to his game that in some ways is reminiscent of another 6’4” center who graced Pittsburgh ice surfaces back in the day. No, I’m certainly not suggesting that Jankowski is the second coming of Mario. But there are similarities in the way he moves and carries himself on the ice.

So what happened last year? Wish I knew. Confidence, or a lack of, is rumored to be an issue and could go a long way to explaining his tumble. Too, the Flames were loaded at center. Jankowski likely got lost in the shuffle.

Is it possible, despite my early misgivings, Rutherford may have uncovered a diamond in the rough?

Yes. Again from watching clips of this kid, he does a lot of things right. Maybe the one thing he doesn’t do especially well is set up his linemates (only 28 career assists). Ideally, you’d like to see Jared McCann paired with a stronger playmaker, the better to take advantage of his rapier-like wrister.

Again, I’m certainly not suggesting Jankowski is a perfect fit. But maybe, just maybe, he returns to his decent form of two seasons ago and contributes with some solid two-way play. Enough to tip the scales and help us to earn a playoff berth.

I’m keeping my fingers crossed.