March 16: Jankowski has cleared and can now be re-assigned to the AHL.
March 15: The Buffalo Sabres have placed Mark Jankowski on waivers today, according to Chris Johnston of TSN. The move suggests that Zemgus Girgensons is ready to return from injured reserve.
It seems like a decade ago that Jankowski broke out with 17 goals as a rookie, even though it was actually in 2017-18. The 27-year-old forward has fallen off a cliff since then, and has been a healthy scratch for the Sabres over the last few weeks. With just two goals and five points this season, his totals from the past three seasons combined reach just 11 and 23, coming as a part of three different teams.
Now on waivers for the first time in his career, there will be an easy way to tell what kind of value the rest of the league places on the 2012 first-round pick. Jankowski is signed to just a one-year, two-way contract that carries an NHL cap hit of just $750K, one that he didn’t even ink until partway through the season. If there was anyone looking for a depth addition who can play both center and wing, there’s no financial reason why they couldn’t claim him.
Still, given his play so far and the fact that he can’t get into the Buffalo lineup, it seems more likely that he’ll clear and be sent to the minor leagues. Before signing the NHL deal in November, he had 12 points in 13 games for the Rochester Americans.
If you’re Ken Holland and you’re trotting out Brad Malone, Jankowski isn’t a terrible pick up for virtually nothing.
I think of youre Ken Holland the ONLY thing occupying your mind is the most advantageous was to upgrade Defence and Goaltending. Its been well knownt to all the fans, it should definitely now be well knownt to him. He needs a goalie and a Dman or 2 and he needsta do it without screwing up. There is no excuse any GM and coach can have for flailing horribly when on the ice and you have McDavid, Draisaitl on your team.
He’s pretty terrible. Inconsistent effort and soft as butter. On of those guys who is not good enough to play top 6 but wont do what’s necessary to play bottom 6.
I remember when CGY picked him too high in the first round and their GM (Button?) said he was the best player in the draft. Yeah, not so much.
If you cant stick with BUF, you are not sticking anywhere.
jay feaster. I certainly am not qualified to be drafting nhl talent but it was obvious from the get go this was a bad pick