Prospect Info: [2022 - 1st OA] Juraj Slafkovsky (LW) Part 2

[417]

not that im worried but Beck and Mesar were our best players in the rookie tournament that being said Slaf played 2 games it doesnt mean much lets be patient

That's not coincidental.

They had the most to gain by being the best.

Owen Beck is on the verge of signing a contract to turn pro, leaving a good impression here probably earns him a contract at some point very soon.

Filip Mesar doesn't want to go back to Europe and he doesn't want to play in the OHL if he has his way, he wants to play in Laval, so a lot to gain here.

The situation is not necessarily the same for Slafkovsky or Guhle or Barron or Harris.

All of these players may end up in Laval, but they have a greater chance of sticking in Montreal if they have a strong training camp.

And burning yourself acting like the rookie tournament is the Stanley Cup final is kind of pointless...that's not an excuse, it's just a fact.

Additionally, by all accounts Slafkovsky was very good...only a few people who equate performance exclusively with results, have said otherwise.

The little I watched, he looked exactly as I expected him too.

 

[417]

I wanted point out that Mesar and Beck looked better than Slafkovsky in those 2 games and that is worrying.

Why?

We are basing this on those 2 games only and it's got nothing to do with the future. I expect him to be a better player than those players.

I understand that's it's 2 games.

Let's ignore that that sample is way too small to draw any conclusion in the first place, but more importantly, they were completely meaningless games. They may as well have been a scrimmage.

The Habs are going to play a Red vs White game next week, does anyone seriously take anything concrete from these games?

Not a knock btw, just curious.

 

[Kennerback]

I wanted point out that Mesar and Beck looked better than Slafkovsky in those 2 games and that is worrying.

We are basing this on those 2 games only and it's got nothing to do with the future. I expect him to be a better player than those players.

If I knew nothing of the players and I saw those two games, I would take Slaf on my team, without thinking twice because he was the best player on the ice. Mesar and Beck had a better series but Slaf looked inherently the best player. To me it’s not close.

 

[Goldenhands]

Sounds like you’re suddenly less confident in the 1OA you were pumping for weeks leading into the draft

Not surprising — lowering standards and managing expectations comes with the territory whenever someone champions a project.

But have faith, keep hyping him, absolutely nothing has happened that should change your tune. You said he is virtually flawless — stick with it. He should shine at Camp, it’s not like there are many better forwards there (two? Maximum three?) — given the tools and toolbox you insisted he has, there is nothing else to expect than his shining success at camp. Maybe he squeezes Drouin or someone out of the roster entirely.

The sky is clear and the sun is shining.

Not at all, top line PF with 80-90 pts potential in his prime is what Im expecting from this kid. As for his NHL readiness, it has always been NHL or AHL for me, that his play would dictate where he would play. Im comfortable with both.

 

[durojean]

That's not coincidental.

They had the most to gain by being the best.

Owen Beck is on the verge of signing a contract to turn pro, leaving a good impression here probably earns him a contract at some point very soon.

Filip Mesar doesn't want to go back to Europe and he doesn't want to play in the OHL if he has his way, he wants to play in Laval, so a lot to gain here.

The situation is not necessarily the same for Slafkovsky or Guhle or Barron or Harris.

All of these players may end up in Laval, but they have a greater chance of sticking in Montreal if they have a strong training camp.

And burning yourself acting like the rookie tournament is the Stanley Cup final is kind of pointless...that's not an excuse, it's just a fact.

Additionally, by all accounts Slafkovsky was very good...only a few people who equate performance exclusively with results, have said otherwise.

The little I watched, he looked exactly as I expected him too.

I feel like those are just excuses.

He should have been the better looking prospect out there. He is a 1st overall draft pick. Those are 26th and 33th.

He was going 100% in those games. He just got outplayed. It is a good thing because he did not play bad. He actually played really well. He just did not play at the level a 1st overall draft pick should.

 

[417]

I feel like those are just excuses.

They're excuses if you believe that players must treat the rookie tournament as importantly as you see it.

I don't.

He should have been the better looking prospect out there. He is a 1st overall draft pick. Those are 26th and 33th.

I guess this depends on the individual...some people enjoy being in turmoil.

I think it's great if our 26th and 33rd pick looked as good and by some accounts, better than our 1st round pick.

He was going 100% in those games. He just got outplayed. It is a good thing because he did not play bad. He actually played really well. He just did not play at the level a 1st overall draft pick should.

I'm more concerned with how he's going to play in games that matter and how he's going to look in 3-4 years from now.

Who "looks" (which is purely subjective btw) better now doesn't move me. We didn't draft Slafkovsky to win MVP of the rookie tournament.

Couldn't careless about the rookie tournament, hope they never go back.

 

[durojean]

If I knew nothing of the players and I saw those two games, I would take Slaf on my team, without thinking twice because he was the best player on the ice. Mesar and Beck had a better series but Slaf looked inherently the best player. To me it’s not close.

To each their own opinions. I respect that.

I just felt that:

Owen Beck played a way more complete game. He was really good defensively and offensively. When he was on the ice, something happened. He created some times chances for himself out of nothing. He was the most impressive for me at camp.

Mesar looked dynamic and adaptable. They put him game 2 at center. Must not have been easy adjusting and he did it really well. He was fast and sneaky and was a threat to watch. He made a lot of things happen.

I feel like Slaf did really well. He made some really good plays and made space on the ice for his teammates. He showed really good passing ability and really good hands. He made thing happen on the ice and was easy to focus on. Of those 3, he was the worst defensively and took a lot of not useful risks.

Mesar and Slaf was a wash. Beck outplayed both of them enough so after those 2 games, he really was the best player.

 

[Sagikev]

People forget MacKinnon needed quite a bit of time for someone that was so highly touted. He didn’t reach star level until his 5th season. Heck even Dahlin is just scratching the surface for a supposed generational defenceman.

Like you said, not everyone to pick is McDavid or Matthews.

Once Mack ditched pizza for hummus is when he unlocked his true potential lol

 

[Goldenhands]

I'm sorry but seriously.

Listen to you the way you where before the draft. He was supposed to be the messiah. He had no weaknesses as a hockey player according to yourself.

The fact that weaknesses appear at the rookie tournament and that he doesn't even look like the best player of his draft class drafted by the Habs is worrying.

Right now, from the 2 game I've seen, he looked worse than Beck and Mesar.

Yet again, it's just 2 games and he showed a lot of good thing also and things could evolve pretty fast when competition get tougher and his size should help him look better then.

But you of all people, coming up with excuses after 2 games...

That being said, you are right with everything in that message. I just feel like you should not be the one telling us that because you hyped him up too much.

I never called Slafkovsky a messiah, I called him a top line PF in the making, there was no franchise player in that last draft, but we got a very good young player that will fill a need for yrs to come and help this franchise to win.

Right now, he might have some minor things to work on, but thats very early, the real camp hasnt stated yet and Slaf has shown that he can adapt and adjust fairly well.

 

[Kennerback]

They're excuses if you believe that players must treat the rookie tournament as importantly as you see it.

I don't.

I guess this depends on the individual...some people enjoy being in turmoil.

I think it's great if our 26th and 33rd pick looked as good and by some accounts, better than our 1st round pick.

I'm more concerned with how he's going to play in games that matter and how he's going to look in 3-4 years from now.

Who "looks" (which is purely subjective btw) better now doesn't move me. We didn't draft Slafkovsky to win MVP of the rookie tournament.

Couldn't careless about the rookie tournament, hope they never go back.

We saw Armia couldn’t hold Slaf’s jockstrap when they played against each other at the WC. Slaf drove the play with a team of nobodies and finland had Heiskanen, Granlund, etc… I like Mesar and Beck but we know nothing about them really. Can they play against NA pro men? The highest level competition i,ve seen those 2 play is the Rookie Tournament. Corey Locke would have looked great too.

 

[417]

We saw Armia couldn’t hold Slaf’s jockstrap when they played against each other at the WC. Slaf drove the play with a team of nobodies and finland had Heiskanen, Granlund, etc… I like Mesar and Beck but we know nothing about them really. Can they play against NA pro men? The highest level competition i,ve seen those 2 play is the Rookie Tournament. Corey Locke would have looked great too.

Lemme tell ya about the legend of Duncan Milroy

 

[NotProkofievian]

I understood it as he doesn't look like the best player drafted by the Habs from this past class. So in other words, Cedric Guindon, and Jared Davidson "look" better.

Considering exactly 0 games have been played since the Habs selected those players, I think my question still applies.

What are we basing this on?

He said that ''he doesn't even look like the best player the habs drafted last year.'' Meaning, if he thought one player (for example Beck) looked better, that would be consistent with his statement, and wouldn't require him to have watched any other player than (to continue with the example) Beck.

 

[417]

He said that ''he doesn't even look like the best player the habs drafted last year.'' Meaning, if he thought one player (for example Beck) looked better, that would be consistent with his statement, and wouldn't require him to have watched any other player than (to continue with the example) Beck.

Ok…I guess we will see if that translates over to the main camp I suppose.

 

[durojean]

They're excuses if you believe that players must treat the rookie tournament as importantly as you see it.

I don't.

I guess this depends on the individual...some people enjoy being in turmoil.

I think it's great if our 26th and 33rd pick looked as good and by some accounts, better than our 1st round pick.

I'm more concerned with how he's going to play in games that matter and how he's going to look in 3-4 years from now.

Who "looks" (which is purely subjective btw) better now doesn't move me. We didn't draft Slafkovsky to win MVP of the rookie tournament.

Couldn't careless about the rookie tournament, hope they never go back.

You are right about the future and how we will wait to see how he plays in more important game.

We are just analysing those game right now because that is what we have.

I know that we won't really know what kind of player we really have until at least in 5 years when he will be 23/24/25.

It is just fun to speculate

 

[SlafySZN]

I feel like Slaf did really well. He made some really good plays and made space on the ice for his teammates. He showed really good passing ability and really good hands. He made thing happen on the ice and was easy to focus on. Of those 3, he was the worst defensively and took a lot of not useful risks.

Mesar and Slaf was a wash. Beck outplayed both of them enough so after those 2 games, he really was the best player.

I rather see a 18 years old trying things and play his game than a kid playing safe not wanting to test their abilities.

 

[Kennerback]

You are right about the future and how we will wait to see how he plays in more important game.

We are just analysing those game right now because that is what we have.

I know that we won't really know what kind of player we really have until at least in 5 years when he will be 23/24/25.

It is just fun to speculate

Do you think there’s a reasonable doubt that Slafkovsky won’t become a Top-6 Forward.?
I‘m just curious to see what others think about this matter…

 

[admiralcadillac]

I wanted point out that Mesar and Beck looked better than Slafkovsky in those 2 games and that is worrying.

We are basing this on those 2 games only and it's got nothing to do with the future. I expect him to be a better player than those players.

Mesar and Beck did not look better than Slakovsky

 

[Goldenhands]

I rather see a 18 years old trying things and play his game than a kid playing safe not wanting to test their abilities.

You know a kid that played it safe and didnt show a willingness to go out of his comfort zone last year? Here is a hint, he dropped 4th OV in the draft.

I prefer a kid that is experimenting, that wants to take charge of the action than someone erased and not involved enough in the play. Yeah, sometimes it will lead to mistakes, turnovers ect, but who cares, Slaf already showed on the big stages that he was smart enough to cut on those mistakes and could play effective hockey when the games matter, rookie camp and training camp, who cares, thats perfect time to try stuff.

 

[Canadienna]

I think his play is getting way overblown.

He played well! He had a ton of takeaways, had some nice feeds for teammates that didn't go anywhere, and single handedly generated chances.

Yeah he stickhandled into a group of guys a few times. And he was clearly floating a bit waiting for a rush, but it's a rookie tourney. I'd rather him try to wow then play a simple north south game.

Not only do I not think 2 games of a rookie tournament is enough to get a read on him, I don't even think he looked bad in those games.

 

[SlafySZN]

You know a kid that played it safe and didnt show a willingness to go out of his confort zone last year? Here is a hint, he dropped 4th OV in the draft.

I prefer a kid that is experimenting, that wants to take charge of the action than someone erased and not involved enough in the play. Yeah, it will lead to mistakes, turnovers ect, but who cares, Slaf already showed on the big stages that he was smart enough to cut on those mistakes and could play effective hockey when the games matter, rookie camp and training camp, who cares, thats perfect time to try stuff.

Exactly. Why would you want him to play it ‘’safe’’ and not try things like trying to get through 3-4 defenders (which almost worked by the way haha) in a meaningless rookie game or even training camp. He’s gonna be a power 1st line winger with elite playmaking and good shot not some 3rd line guy playing safe. MSL will let him try things offensively and play his game, he won’t box him.

 

[417]

You are right about the future and how we will wait to see how he plays in more important game.

We are just analysing those game right now because that is what we have.

Exactly this.

And it's taking on way too much importance.

Meanwhile the guy was skating through walls for his country at the Olympics playing against guys who actually play in the NHL.

Somehow that's taken a backseat to 2 prospect games against the Sabres/Sens hopefuls.

I know that we won't really know what kind of player we really have until at least in 5 years when he will be 23/24/25.

It is just fun to speculate

This is no longer fun lol but again, I wasn't knocking you.

It's natural to want to evaluate what we see, but sometimes it's also OK to just sit back and watch the hockey without needing to reach a conclusion on a player.

 

[Hacketts]

I think his play is getting way overblown.

He played well! He had a ton of takeaways, had some nice feeds for teammates that didn't go anywhere, and single handedly generated chances.

Yeah he stickhandled into a group of guys a few times. And he was clearly floating a bit waiting for a rush, but it's a rookie tourney. I'd rather him try to wow then play a simple north south game.

Not only do I not think 2 games of a rookie tournament is enough to get a read on him, I don't even think he looked bad in those games.

He didn't play bad, we just have some posters that are out to critique his every play because Wright wasn't chosen. Don't forget that the majority of this board was ready to give him the keys to the city. We live in a culture where the loudest can create the narrative, and this place is no different and unfortunately most of time there wrong.

He was a standout player in game 1, and played more conservative in game 2- which he still created a ton of plays that just weren't being finished.

The thing with Slaf is that he's raw, but anyone who's watching him with an objective view can see that he has the tools to hopefully become a special player.

 

[Justin11]

Camp hasn't even started yet, and we are already making career projections, lol

Give the kid some time before we pass any judgment.

 

[themilosh]

Shane Wright of course! He beat Firkus in a 1 on 1 drill back in July.

well that was my point - the guy i was replying to was saying Slaf is "not bust so far", like seriously? Drago was drafted 2 months ago. 2 freaking months. the press in montreal want Slaf to be Drago (body and beast of athlete) with the training of Rock (hearts on fire!!) and the personality of Apollo (Living in America)!!! good god lol/ oh oh yeah anddddd learn French! oh ohh anddddd, produce like mcdavid in D+1 or bust.
I was on the Wright Train, and was disappointed with the Slaf pick.... but since the draft and learning more and more about the kid im really happy with HuGo pick. Personally, I still would have preferred Nemec if the Habs didn't want Wright. but then if that were the case Hugo should have traded 1stoa for 4th and 14th type of thing. Surely NJ was willing to trade #2 to secure Slaf and prevent hugo from trading it elsewhere?

as much as I would agree to never trade a 1oa --- if ever this was to happen, this year would have been ideal.

EDIT: personally I would accept a trade rn if offered: Nemec + Holtz for Slaf + top10prospect

 

[NotProkofievian]

Shane Wright of course! He beat Firkus in a 1 on 1 drill back in July.

Should've been a penalty shot. Nevar 4get!