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

[Favster]

I wasnt aware that a players hockey career hit a reset on june 30th. Is it just for Slafkosvky? Is he the only one that becomes a unicorn with no related historical data? Im also not yelling about anything. Im merely disappointed in the player the Habs got after 12 months of bs.

I kinda feel the same way. Its nothing against the kid, I think he will be a fine player. It just sucks that the one year we get 1st overall there's no uncontested 1st pick.

 

[schwang26]

I think Slav

I kinda feel the same way. Its nothing against the kid, I think he will be a fine player. It just sucks that the one year we get 1st overall there's no uncontested 1st pick.

Far too early to give up on him. Not every 18 year old dominates in the NHL, especially in their first year. As Hughes said, they aren't necessarily drafting for today.

 

[JoelWarlord]

The whole lowering expectations tangent is bizzare to me.

The argument all summer was basically "he could easily be Armia/Latendresse/Anderson, his production is a red flag, and this is a huge reach on tools when a safe top 6 C like Wright was available" vs. "you're right there are some concerns, but not disproportionately compared to the other players who all have flaws too. Slafkovsky has high upside, and was arguably the BPA at #1 given his upside and tools in this year's underwhelming top 5". Now it's apparently contradictory for the 2nd group to say that they're not worried about whether or not he's an instant star as a rookie, and that one underwhelming rookie tournament game does not concern them? The two beliefs are not contradictory whatsoever.

Disagreeing with the position that Slafkovsky is a huge risky gamble pick does not mean that you believe he is a lock to be a superstar that will leave zero doubt from day 1. It means that you think he's a great prospect and that his risk profile is not meaningfully different than the actually existing alternatives that were available in 2022.

 

[Favster]

Far too early to give up on him. Not every 18 year old dominates in the NHL, especially in their first year. As Hughes said, they aren't necessarily drafting for today.

Again, I think he will be a good player but the reality of the situation is we tanked in a year that did not have a consensus 1st overall player above his peers. Ideally, a 1st overall pick is taken for today and the future, that just wasn't an option in this draft class.

 

[durojean]

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.

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.

The biggest problem I see with Slaf, is that I really don’t trust what we’ve seen in the Olympics and the worlds.

I feel like he had adrenaline going through the roof in those tournaments and that he rode the momentum.

Olympics he had a great tourney but at the world excuses were found for every bad p’ay he made et we looked only at the positive.

I feel like the true player we have probably ressemble more to the player that played in Liiga.

 

[ReHabs]

The whole lowering expectations tangent is bizzare to me.

The argument all summer was basically "he could easily be Armia/Latendresse/Anderson, his production is a red flag, and this is a huge reach on tools when a safe top 6 C like Wright was available" vs. "you're right there are some concerns, but not disproportionately compared to the other players who all have flaws too. Slafkovsky has high upside, and was arguably the BPA at #1 given his upside and tools in this year's underwhelming top 5". Now it's apparently contradictory for the 2nd group to say that they're not worried about whether or not he's an instant star as a rookie, and that one underwhelming rookie tournament game does not concern them? The two beliefs are not contradictory whatsoever.

Disagreeing with the position that Slafkovsky is a huge risky gamble pick does not mean that you believe he is a lock to be a superstar that will leave zero doubt from day 1. It means that you think he's a great prospect and that his risk profile is not meaningfully different than the actually existing alternatives that were available in 2022.

That second group doesn’t exist

Many Slaf champions denied that he had any flaws. He was compared to virtually every elite player in NHL history - Jagr, Rantanen, Hossa, you name it. All the tools, all the toolbox, all the pashun, all the Je Ne Sais Quoi. The pressure of ALL OF SLOVAKIA ON HIS BROAD BACK. My lord, what a prospect… what a player!! And he’s only 18! And his size! Wow!!

Now when the rubber meets the road everybody in the second group is pumping the breaks and saying the FIRST OVERALL needs more time to reveal himself.

Yeah okay. Sounds good. Let’s see in training camp.

 

[Kennerback]

The whole lowering expectations tangent is bizzare to me.

The argument all summer was basically "he could easily be Armia/Latendresse/Anderson, his production is a red flag, and this is a huge reach on tools when a safe top 6 C like Wright was available" vs. "you're right there are some concerns, but not disproportionately compared to the other players who all have flaws too. Slafkovsky has high upside, and was arguably the BPA at #1 given his upside and tools in this year's underwhelming top 5". Now it's apparently contradictory for the 2nd group to say that they're not worried about whether or not he's an instant star as a rookie, and that one underwhelming rookie tournament game does not concern them? The two beliefs are not contradictory whatsoever.

Disagreeing with the position that Slafkovsky is a huge risky gamble pick does not mean that you believe he is a lock to be a superstar that will leave zero doubt from day 1. It means that you think he's a great prospect and that his risk profile is not meaningfully different than the actually existing alternatives that were available in 2022.

There’s a massive difference between superstar and top-6. I think we know for sure he’s not a turnkey superstar like McDavid. I think we can’t say either yet if he’ll be a very impactful player. However at this stage it looks to me he’s a Top-6. IMO the real debate is if he’s a Top-6 this season or later.

 

[417]

The biggest problem I see with Slaf, is that I really don’t trust what we’ve seen in the Olympics and the worlds.

I feel like he had adrenaline going through the roof in those tournaments and that he rode the momentum.

Olympics he had a great tourney but at the world excuses were found for every bad p’ay he made et we looked only at the positive.

I feel like the true player we have probably ressemble more to the player that played in Liiga.

If that's the case...

How much importance do you give 2 prospect games in Buffalo?

 

[WeThreeKings]

That second group doesn’t exist

Many Slaf champions denied that he had any flaws. He was compared to virtually every elite player in NHL history - Jagr, Rantanen, Hossa, you name it. All the tools, all the toolbox, all the pashun, all the Je Ne Sais Quoi. The pressure of ALL OF SLOVAKIA ON HIS BROAD BACK. My lord, what a prospect… what a player!! And he’s only 18! And his size! Wow!!

Now when the rubber meets the road everybody in the second group is pumping the breaks and saying the FIRST OVERALL needs more time to reveal himself.

Yeah okay. Sounds good. Let’s see in training camp.

1. There was like one person who denied he had any flaws. Any time you have someone who denies anything needing improvement or only talks about things someone doesn't do well - you ignore that person as they have a bias that won't allow them to paint an accurate picture.

2. Who cares? Every prospect gets compared to elite players. Those are stylistic comparisons and if you drew production and career parallels to that, that's on you for not understanding how player comps work. Shane Wright got compared to Patrice Bergeron and that's f***ing stupid too if you think that Wright would ever sniff a career like Bergeron's.

3. Yeah, he has a lot of tools and he did a lot for Slovakian hockey. He's also a big specimen with those skills. It's clear that's why a lot of hockey people valued him highly. This doesn't mean that a player doesn't need to develop.

4. Yeah you should pump the brakes because outside of one person, most of the discussion was where does he start, the NHL, AHL or OHL because most people understand he wasn't a finished product.. as most 1st overall picks aren't. You have to go back to Matthews to find the last 1st overall who was an instant game changer in their first year. As I told MRB1P, the expectations you are putting on a 1st overall by not reconciling just because one 1st overall is McDavid, doesn't mean they all are. That's on you, buddy.

5. Yes, we should see in training camp because it's a better evaluation. Even if he blows the doors off or he's not ready, neither of those will guarantee anything about his career because he's 18. Imagine writing MacKinnon off after his 3rd season and thinking he's just another Galchenyuk.

 

[jrom]

That second group doesn’t exist

Many Slaf champions denied that he had any flaws. He was compared to virtually every elite player in NHL history - Jagr, Rantanen, Hossa, you name it. All the tools, all the toolbox, all the pashun, all the Je Ne Sais Quoi. The pressure of ALL OF SLOVAKIA ON HIS BROAD BACK. My lord, what a prospect… what a player!! And he’s only 18! And his size! Wow!!

Now when the rubber meets the road everybody in the second group is pumping the breaks and saying the FIRST OVERALL needs more time to reveal himself.

Yeah okay. Sounds good. Let’s see in training camp.

If Wright starts in the OHL this year, would that mean there’s no legitimate 1st OA this year ?

 

[Kennerback]

That second group doesn’t exist

Many Slaf champions denied that he had any flaws. He was compared to virtually every elite player in NHL history - Jagr, Rantanen, Hossa, you name it. All the tools, all the toolbox, all the pashun, all the Je Ne Sais Quoi. The pressure of ALL OF SLOVAKIA ON HIS BROAD BACK. My lord, what a prospect… what a player!! And he’s only 18! And his size! Wow!!

Now when the rubber meets the road everybody in the second group is pumping the breaks and saying the FIRST OVERALL needs more time to reveal himself.

Yeah okay. Sounds good. Let’s see in training camp.

Nothing’s changed. Most people made stylistic comparables with those players. Agreed that it was more for a small group of posters…. When you make a stylistic comparable you compare with someone known to everyone, usually an all-star or a Hab , not Warren Foegele or Eric Robinson.

​

 

[WeThreeKings]

If Wright starts in the OHL this year, would that mean there’s no legitimate 1st OA this year ?

Wright went 4th so we know he isn't even in convo for the 1st.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Wright went 4th so we know he isn't even in convo for the 1st.

He could've been thirth though. It's between him and Kemell.

 

[417]

Nothing’s changed. Most people made stylistic comparables with those players. Agreed that it was more for a small group of posters…. When you make a stylistic comparable you compare with someone known to everyone, usually an all-star or a Hab , not Warren Foegele or Eric Robinson.

​

Or if you're Craig Ramsey...you compare Slafkovky to Clark Gillies lol

Edit - that KILLED me by the way lol

 

[WeThreeKings]

He could've been thirth though. It's between him and Kemell.

f***ing Kemell.

 

[Kennerback]

Or if you're Craig Ramsey...you compare Slafkovky to Clark Gillies lol

Edit - that KILLED me by the way lol

I’ve been laughed at every time I stray from a famous comparable. Worst was when I compared some aspect of Dach’s game to Joel Otto.

Edit: Ramsey‘s career overlapped almost perfectly with Gillies so it apparently made a lot of sense to him. Nothing is more old time hockey than the 70s and Clark Gillies.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Ive watched over a week worth of film at this point

He hasn’t looked like a 1st overall. I don’t know why this is so hard for sone to admit. Looks like we drafted a project with the 1OA.

Oh well, lots of time to show us something yet.

 

[durojean]

The whole lowering expectations tangent is bizzare to me.

The argument all summer was basically "he could easily be Armia/Latendresse/Anderson, his production is a red flag, and this is a huge reach on tools when a safe top 6 C like Wright was available" vs. "you're right there are some concerns, but not disproportionately compared to the other players who all have flaws too. Slafkovsky has high upside, and was arguably the BPA at #1 given his upside and tools in this year's underwhelming top 5". Now it's apparently contradictory for the 2nd group to say that they're not worried about whether or not he's an instant star as a rookie, and that one underwhelming rookie tournament game does not concern them? The two beliefs are not contradictory whatsoever.

Disagreeing with the position that Slafkovsky is a huge risky gamble pick does not mean that you believe he is a lock to be a superstar that will leave zero doubt from day 1. It means that you think he's a great prospect and that his risk profile is not meaningfully different than the actually existing alternatives that were available in 2022.

Some could argue that CoVid had a lot to do with the fact that this draft looked bad at the time of the draft.

1 year before and Wright was seen as a quasi generational talent with a lot of guys competing against him. 2 years ago, this draft was supposed to be one of the best one in years.

I have the theory that scouting group couldn’t assess properly the changes in progression curve from the prospects. They tried to do it but they based that on previous established model.

Wright was seen as a prime character guy not one than 2 years age. Some even compared his competitiveness to Crosby’s at the time.

If my guess is good and that everything was out of whack last year. It would mean that we decided to not draft a franchise C because of 2 good tournaments.

Right now, all we can do is watch the players evolve and when we get under expactation results, we wonder if those are the cracks that begins to form on the sealing.

 

[WeThreeKings]

He hasn’t looked like a 1st overall. I don’t know why this is so hard for sone to admit. Looks like we drafted a project with the 1OA.

Oh well, lots of time to show us something yet.

He hasn't looked like a 1st overall relative to expectations people are putting on it. The 1st overall has a variable quality relative to the talent in the draft.

I don't know why that concept is so hard for some to understand.

Yes, the management team told you that they were drafting a player for tomorrow, not today.

 

[Mrb1p]

He hasn’t looked like a 1st overall. I don’t know why this is so hard for sone to admit. Looks like we drafted a project with the 1OA.

Oh well, lots of time to show us something yet.

I wouldnt say hes a project, I think hes raw but hes already a player. I just think theres a sweet spot in the value he can provide and theres very little variance there.

 

[Kennerback]

He hasn’t looked like a 1st overall. I don’t know why this is so hard for sone to admit. Looks like we drafted a project with the 1OA.

Oh well, lots of time to show us something yet.

Daigle and Patrick Stefan are as 1OA as you can get, and I‘m ready to wager Slaf will have a better career.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

He hasn't looked like a 1st overall relative to expectations people are putting on it. The 1st overall has a variable quality relative to the talent in the draft.

I don't know why that concept is so hard for some to understand.

Yes, the management team told you that they were drafting a player for tomorrow, not today.

Boy did they get that right haha. I’m just kidding, I don’t really want to get into this. Slaf will let his play do the talking.

Some could argue that CoVid had a lot to do with the fact that this draft looked bad at the time of the draft.

1 year before and Wright was seen as a quasi generational talent with a lot of guys competing against him. 2 years ago, this draft was supposed to be one of the best one in years.

I have the theory that scouting group couldn’t assess properly the changes in progression curve from the prospects. They tried to do it but they based that on previous established model.

Wright was seen as a prime character guy not one than 2 years age. Some even compared his competitiveness to Crosby’s at the time.

If my guess is good and that everything was out of whack last year. It would mean that we decided to not draft a franchise C because of 2 good tournaments.

Right now, all we can do is watch the players evolve and when we get under expactation results, we wonder if those are the cracks that begins to form on the sealing.

This is exactly what happened imo. Only time will tell.

Daigle and Patrick Stefan are as 1OA as you can get, and I‘m ready to wager Slaf will have a better career.

Should we throw the party now or wait?

 

[schwang26]

Again, I think he will be a good player but the reality of the situation is we tanked in a year that did not have a consensus 1st overall player above his peers. Ideally, a 1st overall pick is taken for today and the future, that just wasn't an option in this draft class.

Totally agree. That why they need a repeat this year. They aren't winning squat without superstars. They need a franchise forward to start bringing it all together. Well, a franchise D wouldn't hurt either.

 

[417]

I’ve been laughed at every time I stray from a famous comparable. Worst was when I compared some aspect of Dach’s game to Joel Otto.

Edit: Ramsey‘s career overlapped almost perfectly with Gillies so it apparently made a lot of sense to him. Nothing is more old time hockey than the 70s and Clark Gillies.

Oh man Joel Otto was awesome lol, good stroll down memory lane. He was so good and faced some of the very best C's the NHL has seen in that era.

We'd be lucky if that's the kind of player Dach turns into.

As for Craig Ramsey, I didn't mean it in a bad way...just thought it was a funny comparable.

 

[Xirik]

When cruising through other the other tournaments team boards they all seemed to think Slafkovsky was a monster of a player and a future headache they don't want their team to play against. If other teams fans are already thinking that I would chalk Slaf up to a win for the Habs.