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

[BehindTheTimes]

I say this with no inside knowledge

No matter how good Shane Wright is, he's never going to have the personality where people love him and respect him as a leader. He's just not really the kind of personality that most teammates would want to hang out with outside of hockey.

Slafkovsky is the opposite. Habs brass seem to value locker room chemistry very heavily.

Even if true it means absolutely nothing. If Shane Wright becomes 100 point player snd Slaf becomes a 70 point player we will have dropped the ball with the 1OA.

 

[MasterD]

There’s some tantalizing potential there with Slaf, you can see he’s got great skating for a guy his size and his ability to read plays is solid as well. Even though I criticized the pick, I’m not worried about the player. I think he becomes at worst a 55-60pt power winger.

That's fair. He floor seems to be Brady Tkachuk. That wouldn't be great for a 1st OA, but it'd be useful.

Even if true it means absolutely nothing. If Shane Wright becomes 100 point player snd Slaf becomes a 70 point player we will have dropped the ball with the 1OA.

Disagree. Shane Wright isn't the same overconfident person after not being picked 1st OA. Or 2nd. Or 3rd.

Whatever he becomes, he wouldn't have become with us after being picked 1st OA. He has/had an ego problem. Which, you know, whatever, he's 18. But his trajectory changed that day.

 

[McGuires Corndog]

Even if true it means absolutely nothing. If Shane Wright becomes 100 point player snd Slaf becomes a 70 point player we will have dropped the ball with the 1OA.

Not necessarily. In a vacuum you are right.

We don’t know how Wright would’ve developed had he been selected 1st overall (being passed over 3 times could’ve had a huge motivational impact).

Also just because he scores 100pts doesn’t necessarily mean he’s better than a 70pts Slafkovsky. In a vacuum, sure. But if Wright puts up 90-100pts a year and doesn’t win anything of substance in his career while Slaf puts up 70 and helps us win a cup no one will care.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

That's fair. He floor seems to be Brady Tkachuk. That wouldn't be great for a 1st OA, but it'd be useful.


Disagree. Shane Wright isn't the same overconfident person after not being picked 1st OA. Or 2nd. Or 3rd.

Whatever he becomes, he wouldn't have become with us after being picked 1st OA. He has/had an ego problem. Which, you know, whatever, he's 18. But his trajectory changed that day.

Absurd comment to make. You barely knew anything about this kid prior to him being drafted. Some lame rumours about answers to an interview snd his reaction to falling in the draft don’t mean he has any kind of ego problem or prove that he ever had one. His teammates all speak glowingly of him, so unless you have something here this just isn’t true.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Not necessarily. In a vacuum you are right.

We don’t know how Wright would’ve developed had he been selected 1st overall (being passed over 3 times could’ve had a huge motivational impact).

Also just because he scores 100pts doesn’t necessarily mean he’s better than a 70pts Slafkovsky. In a vacuum, sure. But if Wright puts up 90-100pts a year and doesn’t win anything of substance in his career while Slaf puts up 70 and helps us win a cup no one will care.

Lolol, already with the in a vacuum card at the ready to explain away the difference just in case. These kids are 17-18 years old. There projection hasn’t changed any based on where they were selected. Shane would be as fine here as Seattle.

Shane is better in all 3 zones imo. If he outscores him by 30 in the premium position this is a no brainer. We screwed the pooch.

 

[MasterD]

Absurd comment to make. You barely knew anything about this kid prior to him being drafted. Sone lame rumours about answers to an interview snd his reaction to falling in the draft don’t mean he has any kind of ego problem or prove that he ever had one. His teammates all speak glowingly of him, so unless you have something here this just isn’t true.

You expect his teammates to talk shit about him?

The facts are he fell in the draft, we're not the only ones who didn't pick him, there are many sources saying he f***ed up his combine interviews, he gave an awkward stare to the Habs after being picked, and there are many rumours that he's frustrated with Seattle's AHL coaching staff.

We'll see where this goes, but usually where there's smoke there's fire. I actually expect him to outperform Slaf long term, but don't think it would have been the case if we had picked him 1st OA.

 

[Xirik]

Wright getting 100pts? So Patrick Kane and Marner get traded to Seattle in the future eh?

 

[BehindTheTimes]

You expect his teammates to talk shit about him?

The facts are he fell in the draft, we're not the only ones who didn't pick him, there are many sources saying he f***ed up his combine interviews, he gave an awkward stare to the Habs after being picked, and there are many rumours that he's frustrated with Seattle's AHL coaching staff.

We'll see where this goes, but usually where there's smoke there's fire. I actually expect him to outperform Slaf long term, but don't think it would have been the case if we had picked him 1st OA.

Kid is not one bit arrogant or cocky. That’s a narrative this board invented because the 70% of the posters here who were on the Wright bandwagon prior to the draft needed an excuse for picking someone else.

Yes, if he was an arrogant son of bitch I think his teammates, other teenagers would have said something at some point. The only ones saying it are disappointed Habs fans, go figure.

 

[SlafySZN]

I’m not coming to this thread to see Wright’s name.

Saw it enough last season and leading up to the draft.

 

[River Meadow]

Suzuki interviewed today, said he liked what he saw from the young guys during pre-season.

He mentioned Mesar and Beck as standouts, who play a "pro game".

No mention of Slaf at all.

 

[Kojo]

Nick Suzuki is 23 years old, who cares if he mention Slaf or not. Just because he gets a "C" on his jersey doesn't mean shit.

 

[Xirik]

Or perhaps its smart captaining? Trying to light a fire under Slafkovsky so to speak.

 

[River Meadow]

Or perhaps its smart captaining? Trying to light a fire under Slafkovsky so to speak.

tbh, I love it.

Don't kiss the guy's ass just for the sake of it.

I was actually surprised he didn't gaslight Slaf, not one bit.

Suzuki is a real one.

Nick Suzuki is 23 years old, who cares if he mention Slaf or not. Just because he gets a "C" on his jersey doesn't mean shit.

Blasphemy!

 

[HabsAddict]

What I picked up from Slaf is Alpha Dog vibes. I do NOT see that as a problem and if anything, it will motivate him to prove his worth.

Probably by now, it's apparent to him that he's not dominating. Unless I'm behind the bench seats, I can't tell his mood and reactions. I'm hoping he's fuming at every mistake...and they become teachable moments.

Wright, who I don't give a flying duck about, may or may not have issues. If he's not a Hab, he's not important.

Right now, I wish they were still in Hamilton so I can go see them up close for scouting reports like I did in 2003. This and next year are the most critical AHL development years in our history.

 

[River Meadow]

What I picked up from Slaf is Alpha Dog vibes. I do NOT see that as a problem and if anything, it will motivate him to prove his worth.

Probably by now, it's apparent to him that he's not dominating. Unless I'm behind the bench seats, I can't tell his mood and reactions. I'm hoping he's fuming at every mistake...and they become teachable moments.

Wright, who I don't give a flying duck about, may or may not have issues. If he's not a Hab, he's not important.

Right now, I wish they were still in Hamilton so I can go see them up close for scouting reports like I did in 2003. This and next year are the most critical AHL development years in our history.

Knowing what we know about Slaf; which admittedly isn't a ton, I think it's safe to say he isn't disillusioned to believe he played his best hockey in his first 2 pre-season games.

We all know he has another gear which we haven't seen yet in these past 2 games, which we did see glimpses of at the rookies tournament.

I hope he lays it all out there next game. No worries of making mistakes or messing up. Just go out there, play hard, and show us what ya got.

 

[HuGort]

Suzuki interviewed today, said he liked what he saw from the young guys during pre-season.

He mentioned Mesar and Beck as standouts, who play a "pro game".

No mention of Slaf at all.

Not great to hear from your captain. But Slaf has performed under what I thought. I get he is 18. But so are Beck and Mesar. Who have looked much better.

I am thinking is it better to send Slaf to Laval or Europe?

 

[River Meadow]

Not great to hear from your captain. But Slaf has performed under what I thought. I get he is 18. But so are Beck and Mesar. Who have looked much better.

I am thinking is it better to send Slaf to Laval or Europe?

I think Europe is just too far, and habs don't have enough control over such a valuable asset...

 

[BenchBrawl]

Two meaningless games and people already convinced Slafkovsky is a bust

wow, Montreal fans are getting worse than they already were

He was pretty good in Buffalo

zero stress as of now for me

 

[chef otto]

He needs to slow down his though process. With the new environment and cup that with the pressure, we are barely seeing glimpse of what he can become. Once he masters this, he can and will drive plays.

 

[RationalExpectations]

Two meaningless games and people already convinced Slafkovsky is a bust

wow, Montreal fans are getting worse than they already were

He was pretty good in Buffalo

zero stress as of now for me

Who has called him a bust ? Some of us are not convinced of the pick since the draft, nothing to do with preseason. And we all Hope he will succeed from what I see !

 

[Mandala]

That's fair. He floor seems to be Brady Tkachuk. That wouldn't be great for a 1st OA, but it'd be useful.


Disagree. Shane Wright isn't the same overconfident person after not being picked 1st OA. Or 2nd. Or 3rd.

Whatever he becomes, he wouldn't have become with us after being picked 1st OA. He has/had an ego problem. Which, you know, whatever, he's 18. But his trajectory changed that day.

The ego thing is overblown. Even bastards had a long career in the NHL. What you do on the ice matters most.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

I don’t think he’s a bust at all. That is silly to say at this stage. I think he will be a very good player for us for years to come. He will be compared to Wright though, whether correct to do so or not. He may end up the better player, I don’t think so, but you never know.

 

[Retired]

He needs to slow down his though process. With the new environment and cup that with the pressure, we are barely seeing glimpse of what he can become. Once he masters this, he can and will drive plays.

He was rather static and playing positional hockey (poorly). The few times where he just freely turned it on (those few last shot/passes on the power play for example) he looked great.

 

[NORiculous]

I just keep thinking Turner Stevenson. Drafted 12th overall, 6’ 3” .

Since he isn’t ready, Slaf will need to follow the path 80% of the big guys follow. Big guys take longer so it will be a while (3-5 years) before we know if Slaf is John Leclair or Turner Stevenson.

Let him learn to dominate in Laval while the Habs tank for a top 5 pick this year.

 

[nhlfan9191]

I just keep thinking Turner Stevenson. Drafted 12th overall, 6’ 3” .

Since he isn’t ready, Slaf will need to follow the path 80% of the big guys follow. Big guys take longer so it will be a while (3-5 years) before we know if Slaf is John Leclair or Turner Stevenson.

Let him learn to dominate in Laval while the Habs tank for a top 5 pick this year.

He didn’t dominate Liiga last year. He isn’t going to dominate Laval either. A lot of things have to go right for our first overall to work out.