The fourth line rarely gets its due from any fan base. They don't generate the most buzz in the world, yet I truly believe that the Caniacs have a special love for theirs that few in the league possess. In Rod Brind'Amour's system, they might not get a ton of playing time, but there's rarely any hesitancy to put them on the ice in any situation.
Mark Jankowski is in the middle of it. After coming over at the 2025 trade deadline, Jankowski scored goals in bunches, finishing with eight over his final 19 games. Playing the 2025-26 season on an expiring deal, Jankowski had something to prove to everyone in the front office. He did that, and he earned a new deal in the process.
Jankowski did enough to earn a new deal during the playoffs
During the early portion of the season, Jankowski was in and out of the lineup. When Jesperi Kotkaniemi got hurt in November, the door was opened for Jankowski to play full-time, and he largely stayed in the lineup from there. His best game of the season was easily the team's 9-1 pounding of the Panthers. Jankowski had a goal and two helpers for his first three-point game as a Hurricane.
Jankowski finished the season with 11 goals and 21 points. It was the first 20-point season since his sophomore campaign with Calgary in 2018-19. This was also the first time he'd recorded back-to-back 10+-goal seasons since his first two NHL seasons. He was one of 13 players on the roster to reach double digits in goals, and one of 14 to hit 20 points.
Outside of nearly ending Game 2 of the opening round in overtime before his goal was called back, Jankowski was quiet through two rounds. He had one assist in eight games, but it wasn't for a lack of trying. Despite his lack of production, Jankowski inked a two-year extension after the second round, keeping him in Raleigh at a respectable $1.85 million per year.
The points finally started coming in the Eastern Conference Finals. In Game 2, Jankowski had two helpers, including the primary assist on Nikolaj Ehlers' overtime goal. He added one more assist in Game 3. In the Stanley Cup Final, Jankowski saved his biggest moment for Game 2, scoring the tying goal and sending the crowd into a frenzy. He finished with five points during the postseason.
With his new contract, Jankowski should be a fourth-line fixture
The Hurricanes have incredible depth up front. Jankowski and the entire fourth line are proof of that. He is not going to light up opponents every night, but we've seen that he can score in bunches when his game gets going. With more consistent playing time this season, Jankowski should top his numbers from last season with ease.
One area of his game that doesn't get enough shine is his work in the face-off dot. Last season, Jankowski was the team's second-best face-off man, behind only the captain. He won over 51 percent of his draws and was called upon to win in some tough spots. In fact, while Jordan Staal took way more than him, Jankowski had the best short-handed win percentage on the team (47.5%).
As a fourth-liner, Jankowski will need to make the most of the opportunities that he is given. He's unlikely to get a ton of time on the power play, and he's a little further down on the penalty kill. His line averaged about 11 minutes per night, yet they found ways to impact games. That's how it'll have to be. At least Jankowski will have the comfort of knowing that he has a place in Raleigh.
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