In the wake of the Jaromir Jagr injury, the Calgary Flames have recalled Mark Jankowski from the AHL’s Stockton Heat. Jagr was placed on injured reserve with a lower-body injury, and will be out at least a week.
To some, this move was already long overdue. Jankowski, a first-round pick of the Flames from the 2012 draft, has done nothing but excel at the AHL level since graduating Providence College in 2016. The 23-year old had 56 points in 64 games as a rookie in Stockton last season, but earned just a one-game trail in the NHL. This season, despite a solid training camp Jankowski was cut from the team to make room (at least in part) for Jagr and other veterans. It didn’t seem to slow him down, as he posted eight points in six games for the Heat and forced another call-up.
Jankowski is a big, in-your-face center who can grind down defensemen and contribute offensively. His 6’4″ frame will give the team even more size up front, something they already don’t lack in. The plan for where he’ll slot into the lineup is unclear, but with the Flames reeling from consecutive losses it wouldn’t be shocking to see him get in right away. The Flames play in Nashville tomorrow night.