Prospect Info: 2022 - 1st OA] Juraj Slafkovsky (LW) Part 3

[salbutera]

Pastrnak looked way better than Slafkovsky when he was 18.

That’s not what I recall, he had lots of issues w the physicality of the NHL game - spent his first NHL off season training w Chara to put on lots of mass… he was a stick

Pastrnak did look a lot better after his recall from AHL though for the final 25GP

 

[rickthegoon]

If possible, I would keep him away from the AHL. We really do not have a good track record with our prospects development down there. Sometimes it feels like a black hole. On merit alone, Slaf should be kept in the NHL. He is rapidly adapting and coming along just fine. But the realit is ; as soon as Armia comes back, Slaf is on his way down. Roster spots are given according to “contacts” rather than talent. It’s the only reason why Hoffman, Dadonov and Armia, Drouin and Gallagher are on the roster.

 

[Mrb1p]

Fair. It's too early. What a shitty year to draft #1OA. Looks like a bunch of 2nd tier talent to me. We will see cause we will only know for a few years yet.

Cooley is off to a hot start in the NCAA. Not really fair to compare NCAA to AHL/NHL but worth noting.

He had 3 points in one game against the worst team in the US.

If possible, I would keep him away from the AHL. We really do not have a good track record with our prospects development down there. Sometimes it feels like a black hole. On merit alone, Slaf should be kept in the NHL. He is rapidly adapting and coming along just fine. But the realit is ; as soon as Armia comes back, Slaf is on his way down. Roster spots are given according to “contacts” rather than talent. It’s the only reason why Hoffman, Dadonov and Armia, Drouin and Gallagher are on the roster.

Hows our track record with rushing prospects in the NHL?

 

[salbutera]

Pellerin and Nicholas will also work with the NHL players, not just in the AHL.

I believe I read in a Godin/ Basu article that Pellerin will be dedicated to helping out Houle in Laval, whereas Nicholas will also travel w Habs on the road

 

[rickthegoon]

He had 3 points in one game against the worst team in the US.


Hows our track record with rushing prospects in the NHL?

How’s our track record with developing players in the AHL ?

 

[Adam Michaels]

I believe I read in a Godin/ Basu article that Pellerin will be dedicated to helping out Houle in Laval, whereas Nicholas will also travel w Habs on the road

And yesterday, MPP was at the Laval practice, too.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Of the three, Galchenyuk looked the best at 18 where he had incredible 5on5 ES stats, then Kotkaniemi, then Slafkovsky, but this was expected, and we'll see. It's early in the year.

That's the thing though... It's not about what you do at age 18, it's about what you do at age 18-21 years. That's where most of the growth happens. Some players come in and look good but stall. Some players come in and struggle but overcome the challenges and become very good.

I believe we drafted the guy we felt would be the best player in their prime. Not at age 18.

 

[417]

Of the three, Galchenyuk looked the best at 18 where he had incredible 5on5 ES stats, then Kotkaniemi, then Slafkovsky, but this was expected, and we'll see. It's early in the year.

Kotkaniemi looked better at 18 than Nick Suzuki did at the same age.

Performance and development is so volatile at that age, it doesn't really mean much or rather, it's important not to draw too many conclusions at this stage.

 

[Ozolynch]

I agree players can develop without putting up numbers but Slaf has never shown he can put up the sort of numbers needed that indicate future NHL success

Vinny and Joe both were phenoms in Jr. and put up bundles of points. Not so Slaf.

That isn't to say Slaf won't ever put up points -- Pasternak is a good example of someone who did that. Pasta had 24pts in 36 SEL games in his draft year however...

This would have been a good debate if brought up before the draft. Unfortunately, it is October so you really should compare the Thornton of 1997/98 Bruins not the one in OHL. BTW, Slaf also had 19p in 11g when playing in finnish junior last year. But alas, right now the question is what is the best for his future and I am still not able to see how 4th line in the NHL is worse then AHL, given his mental state

 

[salbutera]

How’s our track record with developing players in the AHL ?

I don’t think we can answer any development related questions at present until we see results from the new development program / approach…

Since GOAT Claude Ruel retired following 93 Cup, this org has lacked that development guru / focus.

Will need to wait & see how it plays out under Nicholas, Pellerin, Poulin.

Sure looks as if Slaf will be the litmus test.

 

[Adam Michaels]

How’s our track record with developing players in the AHL ?

It's a different regime now, who is putting things in place for the development, which will have a bigger emphasis. So the track record is irrelevant right now.

But if you want to see at least one guy who was developed in the AHL and became a full-time NHL'er, you can look at Jake Evans. Started in Laval as a 4C when he turned pro. Worked his way up to becoming their 1C. Then got call ups. And then he earned a full-time spot in the NHL.

 

[HostileCapSpace]

Knowing what you know today... Who would you have picked #1OA?

Slaf, Nemec, Cooley, Wright? @WeThreeKings ... Your boy Cooley may be the best when it's all said and done.

Not like I dislike Slaf. It's early. Just wondering who stands out more than the other today?

None of them stand out yet. None of them should probably playing in the NHL this year also. I'm a weirdo who would have drafted Nemec (yes, not a sexy 1OA but not a sexy year for that) but it's going to take a couple of years to see his potential. I just feel our D would have been set for a decade.

Guhle-Nemec
Harris-Mailloux
Jackeye-Barron

Sounds sexy as f***. Who cares about wingers - should be the last of our concerns.

 

[Mrb1p]

How’s our track record with developing players in the AHL ?

Gallagher is the last player to come up from the AHL

Kotkaniemi is the last one for the NHL

 

[NORiculous]

At this moment, the question I'm asking myself is if it's better for Slaf to simply continue getting NHL reps or if he's better off sent down to Laval, where I know it won't hurt him going down, but maybe even in a limited TOI, him getting NHL reps is beneficial.

Lafrenière didn't flourish his first year. But the Rangers kept him in the NHL in a limited role and ice time. It's been a slow build with him and last year in the playoffs, he was real good. And he's off to a good start to the season this year.

Jack Hughes also didn't flourish his first year. But he was never sent down to the AHL (as he was eligible once he turned pro). The Devils kept him in the NHL and he got all his reps. He also wasn't granted top line minutes either.

This isn't to say he should stay in the NHL no matter what. It's just at this moment, I'm asking myself if regardless of his spot in the line-up, maybe he's still better off staying up. Maybe in a few games, I will be convinced he needs to be sent down.

Slaf doesn’t have the same upside Lafrenière and Hughes had.

 

[WeThreeKings]

How’s our track record with developing players in the AHL ?

Terrible because Lefebvre was there for 7 years.

 

[GettingYourMoms]

Slaf doesn’t have the same upside Lafrenière and Hughes had.

Lafreniere is one of the most overrated 1st overall picks i've ever seen.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Slaf doesn’t have the same upside Lafrenière and Hughes had.

Possible. But the point I'm making is that even when those 1st overall picks were sheltered and not playing much, their organizations still kept them up to get those NHL reps.

 

[Adam Michaels]

I would send him down to Laval. It looks like everything is a half step ahead of him. He needs to adjust to the North American game and ice surface. He doesn't look exactly lost on the ice but he does look like he is a step or a reflex behind the play.

I'm okay with things being half a step ahead of him now. It's normal since he's only played 4 games so far. If he stays in the NHL and by the end of October-start of November he's still half a step behind, then send him down.

 

[BenchBrawl]

None of them stand out yet. None of them should probably playing in the NHL this year also. I'm a weirdo who would have drafted Nemec (yes, not a sexy 1OA but not a sexy year for that) but it's going to take a couple of years to see his potential. I just feel our D would have been set for a decade.

Guhle-Nemec
Harris-Mailloux
Jackeye-Barron

Sounds sexy as f***. Who cares about wingers - should be the last of our concerns.

And then we would be like every other team and in need of muscle and size upfront in our Top 6 as Josh Anderson gets too old when our window open.

Now, we don't have to think about this shit any longer. Slafkovsky will obviously play on our Top 6, plus we got Dach who will probably play on the 2nd or 3rd line. So that's that.

Right now, I certainly wouldn't trade Guhle for Nemec. Obviously getting both would make our defense incredible, but we already have a ton of prospects at D. We didn't need Nemec, ESPECIALLY now as Guhle is showing legit #1 upside.

 

[calder candidate]

If possible, I would keep him away from the AHL. We really do not have a good track record with our prospects development down there. Sometimes it feels like a black hole. On merit alone, Slaf should be kept in the NHL. He is rapidly adapting and coming along just fine. But the realit is ; as soon as Armia comes back, Slaf is on his way down. Roster spots are given according to “contacts” rather than talent. It’s the only reason why Hoffman, Dadonov and Armia, Drouin and Gallagher are on the roster.

Slaf isn’t having much impact why waste a year of is ELC on him playing 10min a game on the 3rd line… He need ice time and lot of it, he will get it in the AHL, ice time will accelerate is development, he will adapt to the NHL, playing in the AHL won’t have any negative affect. Let the Dadonov and co ride the bench.

 

[HostileCapSpace]

And then we would be like every other team and in need of muscle and size upfront in our Top 6 as Josh Anderson gets too old when our window open.

Now, we don't have to think about this shit any longer. Slafkovsky will obviously play on our Top 6, plus we got Dach who will probably play on the 2nd or 3rd line. So that's that.

Right now, I certainly wouldn't trade Guhle for Nemec. Obviously getting both would make our defense incredible, but we already have a ton of prospects at D. We didn't need Nemec, ESPECIALLY now as Guhle is showing legit #1 upside.

I just find it's easier to get a top 6 winger through trade and free agency. First pairing Ds you need to draft. Now we need to hope Mailloux becomes that - if he does, perfect, if not, back to square one. That's all, nothing against Slaf per se.

 

[BenchBrawl]

I just find it's easier to get a top 6 winger through trade and free agency. First pairing Ds you need to draft. Now we need to hope Mailloux becomes that - if he does, perfect, if not, back to square one. That's all, nothing against Slaf per se.

A Top 6 winger maybe. A 6'4'' 230 lbs Top 6 winger? I don't think so. Josh Anderson's value on the market tells us everything we need to know about the difficulty of acquiring such a player.

 

[1909]

Lafreniere is one of the most overrated 1st overall picks i've ever seen.

He was rated at the right place by most, if not all, pro scouts. Are you one of them ?

the big mistake made by the rangers, and by most other NHL org drafting 1st overall, is to keep the player at NHL level at 18. One more long season in Junior or in Europe would had been better or Laff...and for Slaf & cie. Rangers and Gorton made that mistae not only with Laff, but also with Kravstov and Kakko who are 1st rounders. Habs have done the same with KK. Claude Julien was wise enough to shelter him on a third line and ply him against lesser opponents.

 

[Habs Halifax]

None of them stand out yet. None of them should probably playing in the NHL this year also. I'm a weirdo who would have drafted Nemec (yes, not a sexy 1OA but not a sexy year for that) but it's going to take a couple of years to see his potential. I just feel our D would have been set for a decade.

Guhle-Nemec
Harris-Mailloux
Jackeye-Barron

Sounds sexy as f***. Who cares about wingers - should be the last of our concerns.

We will see who rises above the other. I don't dislike Nemec either but not so sure he is a top pairing guy either. Top 4D yes.

Nemec as a top 4D
vs
Slaf as a Power forward top 6F.

 

[Apfel Struble]

At this moment, the question I'm asking myself is if it's better for Slaf to simply continue getting NHL reps or if he's better off sent down to Laval, where I know it won't hurt him going down, but maybe even in a limited TOI, him getting NHL reps is beneficial.

Lafrenière didn't flourish his first year. But the Rangers kept him in the NHL in a limited role and ice time. It's been a slow build with him and last year in the playoffs, he was real good. And he's off to a good start to the season this year.

Jack Hughes also didn't flourish his first year. But he was never sent down to the AHL (as he was eligible once he turned pro). The Devils kept him in the NHL and he got all his reps. He also wasn't granted top line minutes either.

This isn't to say he should stay in the NHL no matter what. It's just at this moment, I'm asking myself if regardless of his spot in the line-up, maybe he's still better off staying up. Maybe in a few games, I will be convinced he needs to be sent down.

I agree with everything you wrote. He is improving each game which for now which would point that he should maybe stay up? At the same time, maybe he would develop faster in the AHL?

Slaf is a bit of a mixed bag right now. He creates high quality scoring chances several times per game and more than most of his linemates but at the same time he still crowds the puck carrier and seems lost at times. He needs to defer to his linemates less and shoot more too

I would not be shocked if he's either kept in the Montreal or sent to Laval. Who has his right in the OHL btw?