Prospect Info: [2022 - 1st] Juraj Slafkovsky

[Beendair Donedat]

Can she skate?



What if he just keeps growing? Like that plant in Little Shop of Horrors or something and we can't keep him fed.

He can eat Gallagher, and gets rid of that bad contract/cap hit, two birds stoned at once.

 

[HarrySPlinkett]

The fact that two other teams passed on Wright should tell people that this wasn’t nearly the slam dunk pick some thought it was. He looks closer to Sam Reinhart than Patrice Bergeron, and you don’t take Sam Reinhart first overall.



Meanwhile, they could repel the Red Army with this kid’s wrister.

That, you take 1st.

 

[nhlfan9191]

Grant’s pick are almost always busts or bad take with hindsight. He was on the Scherbak, Kotkaniemi and Galchenyuk train.

The fact that he gets thing right for the Habs worries me even more.

Dont give that clown credit. He was doing it because it was an unpopular opinion to get people talking about him and here we are doing just that.

 

[Belial]

I keep watching videos of him playing trying to convince myself that maybe it was the right pick and I just can't do it...

He looks so damn raw... Maybe that's the idea? That he will eventually be a beast?

I hope they know more than me because right now I can't get it even if I'm trying hard.

 

[ottawa]

183 cm... nowhere near 6'2... That's the info I found.

But I saw some concerns that he could grow even bigger...

I'm guessing "concerns" because it can affect his mobility?

 

[BenchBrawl]

I keep watching videos of him playing trying to convince myself that maybe it was the right pick and I just can't do it...

He looks so damn raw... Maybe that's the idea? That he will eventually be a beast?

I hope they know more than me because right now I can't get it even if I'm trying hard.

With the Dach gamble, Superman Kent and Jeff "Flash" Gorton seem really confident in their abilities to develop players. THAT is something even the Maestro himself didn't nail to perfection, but maybe that's the signature of this new era; our ability to pick up projects and fulfill their potential. A great superpower.

Slaf is raw but he has the inner potential to be developed on all fronts.

Watch those: Recrutes - Slafkovsky vs. Kazakhstan Highlights

The whole palette of potentialities is on display in that big game.

 

[Kojo]

Can't believe people are concerned about this guy. It might be the piece we needed to get Suzuki to PPG level. We still need a PMD but you get the picture.

 

[Belial]

I'm guessing "concerns" because it can affect his mobility?

Sure, it will affect his whole way of operating.

I mean depends on how much he grows, but you rarely see such tall dudes playing hockey.

Can't believe people are concerned about this guy. It might be the piece we needed to get Suzuki to PPG level. We still need a PMD but you get the picture.

Suzy will get to PPG on his own.

 

[Belial]

With the Dach gamble, Superman Kent and Jeff "Flash" Gorton seem really confident in their abilities to develop players. THAT is something even the Maestro himself didn't nail to perfection, but maybe that's the signature of this new era; our ability to pick up projects and fulfill their potential. A great superpower.

Slaf is raw but he has the inner potential to be developed on all fronts.

Watch those: Recrutes - Slafkovsky vs. Kazakhstan Highlights

The whole palette of potentialities is on display in that big game.

What exactly am I supposed to see there? It's Kazakhstan for god sake...

And I mean those videos are cut in such short samples to just highlight good plays...


I hope the Habs didn't make this pick based on those hack lil vids of McGag!

 

[RationalExpectations]

The fact that two other teams passed on Wright should tell people that this wasn’t nearly the slam dunk pick some thought it was. He looks closer to Sam Reinhart than Patrice Bergeron, and you don’t take Sam Reinhart first overall.



Meanwhile, they could repel the Red Army with this kid’s wrister.

That, you take 1st.

NJD passed up on him because they wanted the best Dman in the draft while they have Hughes - Hischier - Mercer, which could be one of the best C depth in a few years.

ARI apparently were super happy with the interviews with Cooley.

So indeed Wright was not a slam dunk pick but I don't think NJD takes Slaf if MTL takes Wright either and then Slaf drops to 4 it's really MTL driving who got 1st and who got 4th.

 

[BenchBrawl]

What exactly am I supposed to see there? It's Kazakhstan for god sake...

And I mean those videos are cut in such short samples to just highlight good plays...


I hope the Habs didn't make this pick based on those hack lil vids of McGag!

Not, it's just every instance of him being involved in the play.

This was a BIG GAME because they were facing elimination.

Doesn't matter that's it's Kazakhstan.

It shows his full set of potentialities.

 

[BenchBrawl]

You know, Shane Wright may be pissed at Montreal, but it's Montreal who should be pissed at Shane Wright. He was supposed to be a 'generational' center (his word and his earlier reputation), and that player would have been to us for the taking. But that player didn't exist no more this year. And that's not on Montreal, that's on Shane Wright, or the gods, or whoever, but not us.

I WISH we could've had a classic, good ol' Canadian captain generational elite #1C prospect right there and then.

But that player evaporated before our eyes like a Fata Morgana.

 

[Belial]

Not, it's just every instance of him being involved in the play.

This was a BIG GAME because they were facing elimination.

Doesn't matter that's it's Kazakhstan.

It shows his full set of potentialities.

I hope you and the Habs brass are right, my friend! And he eventually develops into a beast...

Because there's really not a lot in his game that I like at this moment.

His skating is ok, his shot is nothing special, and he's not a passer? WTF seriously!

 

[River Meadow]

Can she skate?



What if he just keeps growing? Like that plant in Little Shop of Horrors or something and we can't keep him fed.

LOLOLOLOL

 

[TopTenPlayz]

NJD passed up on him because they wanted the best Dman in the draft while they have Hughes - Hischier - Mercer, which could be one of the best C depth in a few years.

ARI apparently were super happy with the interviews with Cooley.

So indeed Wright was not a slam dunk pick but I don't think NJD takes Slaf if MTL takes Wright either and then Slaf drops to 4 it's really MTL driving who got 1st and who got 4th.

I'm a huge Wright fan but can't agree with you here. If Wright was a clear cut above everyone else, he would not have been dropped to 4. There were many articles talking about nj picking Wright even if they were loaded at C.

I was extremely disappointed the moment they announced the slaf pick but was even shocker when njd and arizona passed on him either. I don't agree with that because I think Wright will end up being the best player overall (at least among the top 4) but obviously teams didn't like Wright from the get-go.

Just can't get on board with slaf. The guy looks brain dead. I can't see him being creative enough to get more than 20-25 assists and 50-55 pts. Just a little better version of Josh Anderson. Hard to justify that for 1st oa

 

[ReHabs]

Slaf is raw but he has the inner potential to be developed on all fronts.

Watch those: Recrutes - Slafkovsky vs. Kazakhstan Highlights

The whole palette of potentialities is on display in that big game.

This is good to know, thank you for sharing. Next time we face Kazakhstan we can feel secure knowing Slafkovsky is on our side.

In every other instance, he is a project and the Habs have failed (often times miserably) with every project they've drafted in my lifetime.

 

[thomast]

Here is my post on his next year destination:

He should play in the AHL unless he really impresses at the training camp.

Here i have few points:

First point is about uncertainty of his role in his Liiga club. Heiskanen and Lundell for example had pretty clear role for the D+1 season, but with Slafkovsky there is a lot of fog.

Why not to play him in the AHL in big role without much uncertainty about his ice time, especially when NHL team can have key developement people around him all year. AHL is also stylistically closest to NHL.

In clear majority of cases european prospects chooses to stay in their respective leagues and country because of the shock of moving to totally different country, with different language and away from home. In clear majority of the cases, it’s first time outside of their parents influence as well. It’s a lot to handle for young players and there are huge risks involved. Slafkovsky moved to Finland when he was 15 year old. He have already experienced those barriers involved in moving to new country, being in much tougher situation.

Because of the uncertainty of his role next year in TPS and much smaller risk to move him into AHL, this should almost be nobrainer. At this point risk is much lower if he moves.

Even with #1 overall pedigree i would play him in the AHL. I think it would help his career in the long run.

 

[salbutera]

I hope you and the Habs brass are right, my friend! And he eventually develops into a beast...

Because there's really not a lot in his game that I like at this moment.

His skating is ok, his shot is nothing special, and he's not a passer? WTF seriously!

8th ranking just before the Olympics started


There was some discussion among FCHockey’s scouts about where Juraj Slafkovsky fits into this top-10. Some wanted him much higher and he may end up there as the draft approaches. He can protect pucks with his frame and his hands, he's so fast in open ice, he can stickhandle, shoot and pass at his top speed. It looks like there’s a lot of room for development in his game that will inevitably require patience to reach, but he could end up being one of the best players in this class.

Shane Wright holds top spot in Midseason ranking for the 2022 NHL Draft | Sporting News Canada

FCHockey's Josh Bell has put together his midseason ranking for the 2022 NHL Draft where Shane Wright still tops the list.

www.sportingnews.com

 

[Russian_fanatic]

As an outsider chiming in (Canucks fan)

I’ve probably seen Slaf play 10+ times this year not including tournament play. I think many of you are going to be surprised with just how good this kid is going to end up.

From a pure physical point of view, the kid is a freak and one of the most gifted players I’ve ever seen. At 6-4 220 lbs (I think he’s closer to 230, and the kid hasn’t filled out yet and I think he can potentially grow some more) the kid has a great set of wheels, some of the softest hands I’ve ever seen on a big fella. He also has a great shot on him, and a mean streak which you love to see with a guy that big. His best attributes by far has to be his ability to use his body to protect the puck, and his soft hands allowing him to make moves in tight spots.

If I had to compare his game to anyone it would be PEAK Todd Bertuzzi. IMO he has the highest ceiling of anyone in this draft. I think you guys got a homerun.

 

[Belial]

8th ranking just before the Olympics started


There was some discussion among FCHockey’s scouts about where Juraj Slafkovsky fits into this top-10. Some wanted him much higher and he may end up there as the draft approaches. He can protect pucks with his frame and his hands, he's so fast in open ice, he can stickhandle, shoot and pass at his top speed. It looks like there’s a lot of room for development in his game that will inevitably require patience to reach, but he could end up being one of the best players in this class.

Shane Wright holds top spot in Midseason ranking for the 2022 NHL Draft | Sporting News Canada

FCHockey's Josh Bell has put together his midseason ranking for the 2022 NHL Draft where Shane Wright still tops the list.

www.sportingnews.com

So he starts in Laval and stays there for 2 years till he fully develops these amazing skills that I'm not even seeing?

 

[BarracudaMtl]

I'm so happy .

and hahahahhaa to ALL of you S. WRIGHT's FANs.

 

[NotProkofievian]

You know, Shane Wright may be pissed at Montreal, but it's Montreal who should be pissed at Shane Wright. He was supposed to be a 'generational' center (his word and his earlier reputation), and that player would have been to us for the taking. But that player didn't exist no more this year. And that's not on Montreal, that's on Shane Wright, or the gods, or whoever, but not us.

I WISH we could've had a classic, good ol' Canadian captain generational elite #1C prospect right there and then.

But that player evaporated before our eyes like a Fata Morgana.

This lets us off the hook too easy, IMO. You gotta be able to make the right call, even if it makes your stomach turn. If we took the wrong player, we took the wrong player, end of story.

 

[Big Lurk]

He’s a likeable guy. Charismatic. Like a big Slovakian Caufield. Lol


I remember when 10 teams passed on Filip Forsberg too

When was Forsberg EVER considered top 3 during his draft year?

Come on now dawg. Come on mane!

 

[BenchBrawl]

This lets us off the hook too easy, IMO. You gotta be able to make the right call, even if it makes your stomach turn. If we took the wrong player, we took the wrong player, end of story.

I don't give a f***. There's a reason three teams passed on him. THREE.

Yeah, yeah, positional need and the Cooley-Arizona love affair. Do you think they would have passed up on Shane Wright if for some reason he wouldn't have played this year? Or on Connor Bedard? Of course not.

It's on him or at least, his sub-par season, whatever the reasons and realities.

 

[salbutera]

So he starts in Laval and stays there for 2 years till he fully develops these amazing skills that I'm not even seeing?

I thought McGuire made an interesting comment after Slaf was selected by Habs - Craig Ramsey opened up the system for Team Slovakia focused around Slaf being the play driver, and his game thereafter picked up at Olympics, that confidence then carried over in return to Liiga, and WC. There was a marked improvement in his game at Liiga after coming back from Olympics.

i think MSLs concept could be the wild card in further developing Slaf’s game.