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

[morhilane]

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.

I think he's trying to practice what he is being taught and thinking too much as a result. As MSL said, you don't want to give too much information at the same time otherwise they start to overthink, but maybe Slaf got too much information.

I'm much more interested in seeing his progression over the pre-season (and maybe a few actual NHL games) than complaining about him not looking like a star from the get go personally. But then, I was well aware how raw he was before he was drafted. He's the perfect case study for MSL's teaching too.

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

Came here to see if there was any talk of Slaf starting the season in Laval, or maybe after a 9-game look to see if he's ready.

I think the development of some of these 1OA guys would have been accelerated in the long run by a D+1 season at a lower level. Dahlin in the SEL, Hughes in the AHL, Lafreniere in the Q (although he had nothing left to prove in major junior) are examples. Seems like at least some of you feel similarly about Slaf.

Best of luck to the Habs and Slaf, wherever he plays, this season.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Came here to see if there was any talk of Slaf starting the season in Laval, or maybe after a 9-game look to see if he's ready.

I think the development of some of these 1OA guys would have been accelerated in the long run by a D+1 season at a lower level. Dahlin in the SEL, Hughes in the AHL, Lafreniere in the Q (although he had nothing left to prove in major junior) are examples. Seems like at least some of you feel similarly about Slaf.

Best of luck to the Habs, and Slaf wherever he plays, this season.

We have a log jam up front which helps as well.

I think unless he blows his next few pre-season appearances out of the water, he's gonna start in Laval.

It's a luxury for us to be able to do that. Owen Power going back to the NCAA was really, really beneficial for him.

 

[MarioLeMoose]

I think it’s good for the kid to get his first taste of what he’s in store for as a Montreal Canadien. 2 pre-season games in and already facing a little bit of adversity. He will be fine. I’m expecting a much better showing from him tonight (assuming he plays)
Really rooting for Slaf (as we all are)

 

[Deep Blue Metallic]

We have a log jam up front which helps as well.

I think unless he blows his next few pre-season appearances out of the water, he's gonna start in Laval.

It's a luxury for us to be able to do that. Owen Power going back to the NCAA was really, really beneficial for him.

Good, if that's the best place for him. The unwritten rule that 1OA picks *must* start in the NHL doesn't benefit all of them.

Power is a good example. He didn't insist on starting with the Sabres. I think he felt he had unfinished business at Michigan. He looked very comfortable in 8 NHL games at the end of last season. No doubt he'll have some growing pains, but I think that extra development season will prove to be highly useful for him.

All these guys are different. Just do what's best for the individual player. That is ultimately what benefits the team as well.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Good, if that's the best place for him. The unwritten rule that 1OA picks *must* start in the NHL doesn't benefit all of them.

Power is a good example. He didn't insist on starting with the Sabres. I think he felt he had unfinished business at Michigan. He looked very comfortable in 8 NHL games at the end of last season. No doubt he'll have some growing pains, but I think that extra development season will prove to be highly useful for him.

All these guys are different. Just do what's best for the individual player. That is ultimately what benefits the team as well.

Really, I think we are seeing that yes some 1st Overalls (Jack Hughes) can overcome early career struggles in year 1 but he probably would have been better off doing 1 year in the NCAA.

Lafreniere is a tougher case since he had no better options than the CHL.

But unless you are Matthews, McDavid tier, I think more teams are better served letting 1st OA play it out a bit.

 

[KevSkillz4]

I think we can hope a career like Rick Nash, 70-80 points per year for Slafkovsky. Nash is more a powerforward skilled than physic, like Slafkovsky.

 

[Goldenhands]

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.

So you cant make the difference between a guy with hands of stone vs a guy with golden hands?

 

[Nedved]

I hope the habs give Slaf a shot tonight, or even for a period, with a speedy center that can create time and space for him on the ice. I would love to see him with Suzuki just to see if they think the game at the same level.

 

[KevSkillz4]

I hope the habs give Slaf a shot tonight, or even for a period, with a speedy center that can create time and space for him on the ice. I would love to see him with Suzuki just to see if they think the game at the same level.

No Slaf tonight. 1st line is Drouin - Beck - Hoffman.

 

[Redux91]

Good, if that's the best place for him. The unwritten rule that 1OA picks *must* start in the NHL doesn't benefit all of them.

Power is a good example. He didn't insist on starting with the Sabres. I think he felt he had unfinished business at Michigan. He looked very comfortable in 8 NHL games at the end of last season. No doubt he'll have some growing pains, but I think that extra development season will prove to be highly useful for him.

All these guys are different. Just do what's best for the individual player. That is ultimately what benefits the team as well.

Man, too sensible a post, too rational.
I wish I could trade 3-4 HFHabs posters in exchange for you to be on our board.. sigh .. I'll throw in a pick too

 

[Nedved]

No Slaf tonight. 1st line is Drouin - Beck - Hoffman.

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Is Beck going to make this team??

 

[Adam Michaels]

 

[StCaufield]

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.

He was on the 4th line all of last year except the last part of the season which he was very good. It’s not like he was even given the chance to dominate being buried in the lineup

Is Beck going to make this team??

I think he should start the year in Montreal but who sits? Evans? Or would it be evans moving to the wing or beck on the wing?

 

[ArtPeur]

No Slaf tonight. 1st line is Drouin - Beck - Hoffman.

View attachment 590035

Yikes. People are still using the "light" format in 2022?

 

[Nedved]

Yikes. People are still using the "light" format in 2022?

loz. I didn't even notice, that's too funny.

 

[Blue Warriors]

Owen Nolan went first overall. I watched him play in Quebec as an 18 yo rookie. He scored 3 goals and looked completely lost on the ice. The next year he became confident and scored 42 goals. You have to be patient , not every 1oa can be a star right away.

 

[Beer and Chips]

No Slaf tonight. 1st line is Drouin - Beck - Hoffman.

View attachment 590035

That's a heck of a test for Beck.

 

[HostileCapSpace]

Is Beck going to make this team??

No point in rushing him. Let him have a go in the OHL one more year. Next year will be interesting for sure.

 

[HostileCapSpace]

I think we can hope a career like Rick Nash, 70-80 points per year for Slafkovsky. Nash is more a powerforward skilled than physic, like Slafkovsky.

Nash was a 50-70 point player in Columbus (only once more than 70) and had a sharp drop once in NY. We tend to remember the best (or worst) years of players... His career average was around 55 points per season.

 

[Pacciosoftie]

No point in rushing him. Let him have a go in the OHL one more year. Next year will be interesting for sure.

Normally I am for this kind of thinking. However, this kid has been playing such a pro game and doesn’t look phased by the big league at all. He’s shown he can make a big impact and also play responsibly as well, and excellent on face offs. I would make an exception and keep him up and see how he does, if he stalls/regresses then send him down. I really feel like he can make an immediate impact on the team and play well in the NHL.

 

[HostileCapSpace]

Normally I am for this kind of thinking. However, this kid has been playing such a pro game and doesn’t look phased by the big league at all. He’s shown he can make a big impact and also play responsibly as well, and excellent on face offs. I would make an exception and keep him up and see how he does, if he stalls/regresses then send him down. I really feel like he can make an immediate impact on the team and play well in the NHL.

I mean, I absolutely love Beck and won't complain if they keep him, but with the way the season is likely to go him working on his offensive game in the OHL could be good too.

There's too many forwards too, but that's on Hughes. Barely any spots for rookie forwards like Heineman and such.

 

[Nedved]

No point in rushing him. Let him have a go in the OHL one more year. Next year will be interesting for sure.

I agree. I'm just surprised to see him next to nhl guys where he'll be given an opportunity to show what he can do with legit nhl players. If he creates space for these guys, creates some opportunity, has a great effort in all three zones, I can see him getting a few games to start the season. It seems like they believe in this kid. I hope he's part of the next set of cuts, I don't want any 2022 draft picks playing in the nhl right now.

 

[peate]

I mean, I guess Owen Power wasn’t a 1st OA pick and didn’t play in college last year?

Are we also to forget how most draftees can’t play in the AHL the season after their draft?

Stop watching RDS.

Yes MasterD. Whatever you say Master D.

 

[SOLR]

Is Beck going to make this team??

No, they are just resting Suzuki and giving deserved reps to a young one, he'll be sent back to the CHL soon.