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

[jrom]

I appreciate you linking that. I don't agree with this sentiment:

"If Slafkovský is to play in the NHL this season, he’s likely not going to be able to spend the entirety of that time in the top six, especially given Montreal’s glut of forwards. The Canadiens need to determine whether the big Slovak can hold his own on checking lines"

I agree we don’t want to turn top6 prospects into grinders but Lecavalier’s own experience might influence the course of action (he said that it helped him to be 3C in his first NHL season).

 

[Runner77]

I believe it's simply for players signed under 20 a contract can slide if they play 9 games or less. From 20 there are no slides whatsoever.

There are 3 types of slides.

There is the 10 game rule that is applicable to any player drafted out of the CHL. That player is subject to the NHL-CHL Transfer Agreement.

Then, as a variation to the first slide, there is the late birthday slide that applies to players born after September 15 but who sign their ELC before Dec. 31st.

The third variation is for players from European leagues whose contract can slide twice: once where the player does not play 10 NHL games but turns pro and plays in the AHL. And a second time, where that player doesn’t play more than 9 NHL games the following season.

The latter scenario allows a team to have a player under ELC restrictions for 5 years and this is possible because players drafted out of Europe are not subject to an NHL-CHL Transfer Agreement.

So upon delving into it further, the 10-game rule still applies to European players but with the nuance that a contract can slide twice whereas a contract to a CHL player can only slide once.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

You're not making any sense. The 2017 had exactly the same separation between 1 and 2 according to Mackenzie i.e. 5 scouts to 4 scouts. It was deemed the Patrick draft all along, until Hischiers significant rise to the top, despite relatively low numbers for a 1st OA (hmmmm, ring a bell?). Ateast 3 players in that top 4 had a team who deemed them number 1, so anyone could have been drafted at any of those spots. At least two teams had Makar 1st. Pettersson was 2 for at least 1 team.

So, we have a clear example of a 60 point player picked ahead of a Norris/Conn Smythe winning defenseman who paced for 90 points, in a draft where a number of players could have been 1st. Pretty much the scenario you were describing. It might even be worse, as Makars arguably been playing like a generational defenseman. NJ went with the guy who was mostly seen as the number 1, but not unanimously. Did NJ drop the ball or not ? By your logic the answer should be yes

Makar was never in contention for the top pick. Your argument literally is nothing similar. The top pick isn’t always the best player, but here we took a gamble over Covid uncertainty to pick a project. It was dumb.

 

[RealityHurts]

Makar was never in contention for the top pick. Your argument literally is nothing similar. The top pick isn’t always the best player, but here we took a gamble over Covid uncertainty to pick a project. It was dumb.

I 100% agree with this. Slaf might turn out to be the best pick of draft, but the thought process behind picking him was wrong. Especially given that you have two core pieces in your 'rebuild' already in Caufield and Suzuki. I'd have been open to it if it was the start of our rebuild and we had no pieces. There was no reason to pick a project.

 

[Naslundforever]

Watch him score 7 in his first period with Suzuki and Caufield

 

[Kennerback]

I agree we don’t want to turn top6 prospects into grinders but Lecavalier’s own experience might influence the course of action (he said that it helped him to be 3C in his first NHL season).

It worked for Lecavalier but not for KK. He was never on the verge of being a Top-6 forward with us. He just plateaud there.
Ideally Slaf’s on the team when he wins a Top-6 job fair and square.

 

[Kennerback]

Makar was never in contention for the top pick. Your argument literally is nothing similar. The top pick isn’t always the best player, but here we took a gamble over Covid uncertainty to pick a project. It was dumb.

If Slaf is a project, then the Top-5 this season were all projects. Two are vying for a spot in the NHL, two are far from being ready, Nemec and Cooley, so we’re into projections.

 

[morhilane]

I appreciate you linking that. I don't agree with this sentiment:

"If Slafkovský is to play in the NHL this season, he’s likely not going to be able to spend the entirety of that time in the top six, especially given Montreal’s glut of forwards. The Canadiens need to determine whether the big Slovak can hold his own on checking lines"

I don't agree with the "checking lines" part, but I do agree that MSL has been testing Slafkovsky in term of defensive game. That's what the advanced stats shows: heavy defensive usage.

My guess is that MSL doesn't want another winger that can only play in the ozone since the teams is full of those.

 

[jrom]

I don't agree with the "checking lines" part, but I do agree that MSL has been testing Slafkovsky in term of defensive game. That's what the advanced stats shows: heavy defensive usage.

My guess is that MSL doesn't want another winger that can only play in the ozone since the teams is full of those.

Wants to be sure also that other teams won’t target Slaf with bad matchups (and affect his confidence). I suspect he wasn’t in Ottawa because it was a road game.

 

[morhilane]

Wants to be sure also that other teams won’t target Slaf with bad matchups (and affect his confidence). I suspect he wasn’t in Ottawa because it was a road game.

He played against the opposing top lines and d-pair for his two games and game two was in Toronto. His TOI has been among the highest each games for forwards. He's not sheltered.

 

[Goldenhands]

Anyone else watching Wright? Very underwhelming so far.

Watched him yesterday. He had a good 1st, but was rather quiet for the reminder of the game. He adjusted his pace and doesnt look out of place, but doesnt stand out either.

 

[Kennerback]

Watched him yesterday. He had a good 1st, but was rather quiet for the reminder of the game. He adjusted his pace and doesnt look out of place, but doesnt stand out either.

Seattle had a bunch of Power Plays in the 1st Period. That’s when he was noticeable. They made him play the point on the 1st PP, his wrist shots were menacing. Maybe they can play him as a Winger at ES and use him as a PP specialist?

 

[morhilane]

Seattle had a bunch of Power Plays in the 1st Period. That’s when he was noticeable. They made him play the point on the 1st PP, his wrist shots were menacing. Maybe they can play him as a Winger at ES and use him as a PP specialist?

So turning Wright into Drouin with a better shot...

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

The takes in this thread .......

You would think the Montreal Canadiens are a Hawaiian expansion franchise with zero hockey knowledge

 

[Goldenhands]

Seattle had a bunch of Power Plays in the 1st Period. That’s when he was noticeable. They made him play the point on the 1st PP, his wrist shots were menacing. Maybe they can play him as a Winger at ES and use him as a PP specialist?

Yeah looked good on the PP, so so at even strength. With Beniers, Gourde and Wennberg down the middle, its entirely possible that he starts on the wing.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Bust.



Stud.


When you quote me in the future please quote whatever he becomes and not the opposite to make me look bad.

Kthxbi

 

[Heffyhoof]

Anyone else watching Wright? Very underwhelming so far.

Unlike a bunch of weirdos, I couldn't care less about him, considering he's not a Hab and his team is an expansion team with no history for me to hate.

 

[Twisted Sinister]

I meant it doesn't matter in the sense that the sample size (2 games) is too small and context (preseason) is meaningless, to draw any real conclusions from.

I don't know how you've discerned that his hockey IQ is low or he can't keep up with NHL defensemen yet...what are you basing this on?

I went back and watched as much of his play as I could that was available online.

In terms of his IQ, I've found his play selection to be concerning through a lot of what I've seen. He seems to be the type of player that makes more bad decisions than good, but he's very talented, so things sometimes work out for him regardless. This led me to label him as somewhat of an exploitational player.

As to your second point, I've found that the way he produces against lower level competition will not work against NHL defensemen. They're bigger, more talented, can hold their ground better, and they can box him out. He'll need to adapt his game to figure out that problem.

 

[not quite yoda]

I know he has a big body but alot of people forget he is 18. He is just a kid playing hockey. He clearly isn't NHL ready I do not see why management should have an obsession with turning him pro at 18. He is not that good that soon. Send him to the OHL and let him dominate his peers. Send him to the WJC and let him stand out. We can re-evaluate him in. a year with our other prospects and we will see if he is ready to go pro then.

Ça sert à rien de bruler les étapes.

And frankly, Mesar looks more AHL ready than Slaf, and we are sending Mesar to the OHL. So......

 

[Xirik]

Or like many other none NA players he's struggling with adapting to the faster pace and smaller ice of the NHL. Very few European players instantly "get" the NHL style and it takes them awhile to adapt.

 

[Belial]

I know he has a big body but alot of people forget he is 18. He is just a kid playing hockey. He clearly isn't NHL ready I do not see why management should have an obsession with turning him pro at 18. He is not that good that soon. Send him to the OHL and let him dominate his peers. Send him to the WJC and let him stand out. We can re-evaluate him in. a year with our other prospects and we will see if he is ready to go pro then.

Ça sert à rien de bruler les étapes.

And frankly, Mesar looks more AHL ready than Slaf, and we are sending Mesar to the OHL. So......

Slafkovsky will manhandle the kids in the OHL by pure physical superiority.

He needs to play against men to learn to use his body while being constantly contested.

He should play in the AHL.

And who said we're sending Mesar to the OHL? I don't think they made that decision yet.

 

[26Mats]

I know he has a big body but alot of people forget he is 18. He is just a kid playing hockey. He clearly isn't NHL ready I do not see why management should have an obsession with turning him pro at 18. He is not that good that soon. Send him to the OHL and let him dominate his peers. Send him to the WJC and let him stand out. We can re-evaluate him in. a year with our other prospects and we will see if he is ready to go pro then.

Ça sert à rien de bruler les étapes.

And frankly, Mesar looks more AHL ready than Slaf, and we are sending Mesar to the OHL. So......

I agree 100%. I want him in the OHL with the puck on his stick. Draisaitl went down to the CHL the year after he was drafted. He turned out ok.

But apparently Hughes did an interview recently saying it was NHL or AHL. I don't like that.

 

[ReimanSum1908]

Slafkovsky will manhandle the kids in the OHL by pure physical superiority.

He needs to play against men to learn to use his body while being constantly contested.

He should play in the AHL.

And who said we're sending Mesar to the OHL? I don't think they made that decision yet.

If Slafkovsky plays in the AHL, which is far more of a thuggish league than something like the OHL or even the modern NHL, he's going to be pressured, even if only in his own mind, to attempt to contribute something when his offensive game stalls out and he gets reduced to a third line role, with time on the powerplay due to his size, unless they wish to keep giving him prime minutes that he is unable to earn based on the merit of his play. I could see him trying, much to the detriment of his development, to intensify his physical game just to feel as if he's contributing rather than making best use of his talents because they are simply so raw as to prevent him from achieving success through them.

The AHL likely hones him into a grinder with occasional flashes of offensive flair whereas the OHL would provide him with the opportunity to refine his game into something that could one day be serviceable at the NHL level.

Quite simply, I have to ask myself: at this point, does he look like he belongs in the NHL? No. Not anywhere close. Does he look like he belongs in the AHL? No. Does he look like an inexperienced player who desperately needs more seasoning in the minor leagues? Absolutely.

Those are the only questions that I have to ask about him.

 

[Belial]

Quite simply, I have to ask myself: at this point, does he look like he belongs in the NHL? No. Not anywhere close. Does he look like he belongs in the AHL? No. Does he look like an inexperienced player who desperately needs more seasoning in the minor leagues? Absolutely.

So you saw 30 shifts of him in two meaningless games with completely new linemates/teammates in a new system/concept and you already know he doesn't belong even in the AHL? Yeah, ok, man.

RHP was the leading scorer last year in Laval and you're trying to tell me here that he looked a lot better than Slafkovsky during this camp?

The guy is 5.09 and 180lb and he did just fine in the AHL, all this AHL is a thug league is a thing of the past.

Slaf will do just fine in the AHL.

 

[Supersonic]

Was at the game in Toronto, I thought he showed some flashes on the PP at the end of the game but for most of it he was a step behind the play. I thought his skating and edgework could use some more fine tuning as well.

This is normal of an 18 year old who might even be 6’5 260 when he finally stops growing and reaches his physical peak. Give him time in the AHL getting top 6 and PP minutes. Let him build his confidence because like we saw with KK, if they lose it, it’s hard to get it back.

Edit: and the Habs are going to be dog**** this year too what’s the rush to have him play on the big team this year