Prospect Info: 2022 - 1st OA] Juraj Slafkovsky (LW) Part 4

[Runner77]

I think he is fine but the area he is making mistake at are the intangibles. MSL is getting a little frustrated cause the intangibles should be easy to learn. Making puck management errors where it cost you transition going the other way is a big no no in the NHL. Caufield actually did this before and once MSL started coaching him, he likely said you can do whatever you want offensively but don't turn it over in critical areas.

I'm OK with him being in the NHL at age 18 but man... not sure if Montreal is the place for that. Every move MSL makes with Slaf is under the radar and microscope.

Seems to me that Slaf has the maturity level to deal with the media and fan pressure, given his background and early self reliance. I just find him to be too lackadaisical around the boards and I’m sure they keep telling him but that’s part of the learning process, I suppose.

 

[Habs Halifax]

- Avoid big hits
- No turnovers
- No penalties
This might be key expectations from MSL and Slaf failed all of them last night. He deserved to be benched.

I see it similar and I'm sure Slaf understands he was not good enough last night. Another challenge along the way and how he responds to it is more important than dwelling on it.

Some fans thought once we promoted him to top 6 and PP time, he stays? It don't work that way. So once again, I can't stress this enough. We can't dwell on the high/lows of the rollercoaster ride. Pumping up his highs and nit picking his lows is a stupid game.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

I think it was his worst game of the season. No need to overeact, he's only had a few that bad. I think slaf is the type to take accountability and bounce back next game so at least there's that.

Yeah he played awful last night but people acting like he plays like that everynight are wrong

 

[Ozolynch]

- Avoid big hits
- No turnovers
- No penalties
This might be key expectations from MSL and Slaf failed all of them last night. He deserved to be benched.

I am afraid that what you described is true, but here we come back to the debate whether this punitive stance is positive for development. That penalty there was borderline and happens to vets as well, turnovers even more often, and yes the big hits are a legit concern, but you dont know when they would occur, and benching him just for sake of protecting him is then equal to sending him to ahl i think

The "you fail, you sit" treatment is psychologically worst for a young player. His mind spiraling into thoughts whether he is good enough or his team is losing just because he cant deliver the expected performance is something that hurts more than big hits imo

 

[Twisted Sinister]

Could be.
How that helps or makes him better is curious tho.

Sometimes you use the carrot and sometimes the stick I suppose. When he was playing well, he was rewarded with a promotion up the lines, so it's not exactly like things aren't meritorious. I just wish it was the same for the veterans as well.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Seems to me that Slaf has the maturity level to deal with the media and fan pressure, given his background and early self reliance. I just find him to be too lackadaisical around the boards and I’m sure they keep telling him but that’s part of the learning process, I suppose.

I think he is somewhat mature as a young adult but is he mature on the ice as a hockey player is the real question. Playing as a 18 year old in Montreal has me wondering and it's not just about Slaf. I wish we had better talent in the AHL cause I would have been wanting him to start there with a good young center. We just didn't have that option this year.

This 1st season to me is to get his feet wet. I'll be a bit more harder for his age 19 and then age 20 season. At the end of the day, the growth/disappointment from game/game is less important than the month/month and year/year approach.

We have to remember that MSL is also a rookie coach and is learning too. I trust in his ability to not let his frustrations get to him and I also trust that Slaf trusts him. I'm sure MSL has a good chat with him behind the scenes.

It was a rough game for Slaf last night. I feel for the kid

 

[417]

I think he is somewhat mature as a young adult but is he mature on the ice as a hockey player is the real question. Playing as a 18 year old in Montreal has me wondering and it's not just about Slaf. I wish we had better talent in the AHL cause I would have been wanting him to start there with a good young center. We just didn't have that option this year.

This 1st season to me is to get his feet wet. I'll be a bit more harder for his age 19 and then age 20 season. At the end of the day, the growth/disappointment from game/game is less important than the month/month and year/year approach.

We have to remember that MSL is also a rookie coach and is learning too. I trust in his ability to not let his frustrations get to him and I also trust that Slaf trusts him. I'm sure MSL has a good chat with him behind the scenes.

It was a rough game for Slaf last night. I feel for the kid

No need to feel for him...bumps in the road is part of the roadmap.

 

[DAChampion]

Is it the case that Slaf would be "safer" in the AHL?

 

[ToNedOuT]

That had to be his worst game last night. He may have even been the worse player on the ice, but growing pains should be expected for an 18 yr old.

The one thing I like about him being on the team is he’s in a great learning environment.

 

[Runner77]

Is it the case that Slaf would be "safer" in the AHL?

I doubt Slaf would be safe anywhere, not to mention the obvious, that’s it’s an unrealistic standard for the type of blood sport it is. However, I suspect he’d be an easy target for big hits whatever small ice surface he’d play.

Everyone incurs a big hit following a mental lapse or placing oneself in a vulnerable position but in Slaf’s case, it’s the frequency of these hits that seems excessive. I don’t remember any first year players on the Habs ever facing the same kind of onslaught.

 

[Runner77]

 

[HabsForHire]

The AHL is full of goons trying to make a name for themselves trying to injure high picks. No thank you.

That is sooooo massively over exaggerated. Definitely not an excuse to not send him down. If he can't make it in the Ahl he won't in the NHL

 

[DJBREADMAN]

And yet again the team did nothing. They keep letting their 18 year old #1 pick get smoked game in game out and do nothing about it. They let shayne ghostishiresauce smoke him for f*** sake. That could would get jumped in my rec league lol.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Elliotte is not wrong, unfortunately.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

And yet again the team did nothing. They keep letting their 18 year old #1 pick get smoked game in game out and do nothing about it. They let shayne ghostishiresauce smoke him for f*** sake. That could would get jumped in my rec league lol.

The league is just overall softer than before. His teamates are probably also thinking FFS kid keep your head up tbnk! The ghost hit was egregiously stupid of him to take like that, man it was not a good look

But yeah that was his worst game of the season but on most nights he looks better than half the roster so it is what it is, growing pains.

 

[NORiculous]

The AHL is full of goons trying to make a name for themselves trying to injure high picks. No thank you.

Btw, Caufield played in that league and had no problem. You are scared for Slaf????

 

[zaluty]

He may be the next Brett Lindros if he is not careful

 

[willzyix]

He was bad last night, but disagree that he should go to the AHL. I do think he’d benefit immensely from sitting out a game or two.

Not a punishment, but it’s a good way for a vet, video coach, Nicholas, whoever to sit with him and give him a wider perspective of the game. You can learn a lot from watching.

If he’s building bad habits the worst thing is to reinforce it in a shittier league where he’s likely to get away with it a bit more.

 

[An0n]

And yet again the team did nothing. They keep letting their 18 year old #1 pick get smoked game in game out and do nothing about it. They let shayne ghostishiresauce smoke him for f*** sake. That could would get jumped in my rec league lol.

One of the worst things to have happen in this league recently is jumping players that throw big clean hit. What happened to taking his number and getting him back cleanly?

Big hits are far more entertaining than fighting.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

And yet again the team did nothing. They keep letting their 18 year old #1 pick get smoked game in game out and do nothing about it. They let shayne ghostishiresauce smoke him for f*** sake. That could would get jumped in my rec league lol.

He should be embarrassed to get crushed by a runt like Ghostisbehere........I don't blame anyone for something that is his own fault.

 

[OldCraig71]

When they run over one of our guys we need to run over one of theirs.

 

[Naslundforever]

And yet again the team did nothing. They keep letting their 18 year old #1 pick get smoked game in game out and do nothing about it. They let shayne ghostishiresauce smoke him for f*** sake. That could would get jumped in my rec league lol.

You’d figure since the games don’t matter you get “free revenge penalties”. Guys can instigate all they want.

 

[jrom]

And yet again the team did nothing. They keep letting their 18 year old #1 pick get smoked game in game out and do nothing about it. They let shayne ghostishiresauce smoke him for f*** sake. That could would get jumped in my rec league lol.

Well at one point he’s gotta do something about it himself. Xhekaj can’t jump Ghost for a legal hit.

Like others said he has to avoid those hits but Slaf also gotta send a message that he’s not a free target. Next time sometime tries to take a run at him he should retaliate himself (don’t care if he takes a penalty)

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

And yet again the team did nothing. They keep letting their 18 year old #1 pick get smoked game in game out and do nothing about it. They let shayne ghostishiresauce smoke him for f*** sake. That could would get jumped in my rec league lol.

He literally was watching Ghost and he didn't react.

Blaming other players for his own nonchalant behavior on the ice is a bit farfetch.

 

[Sorinth]

I doubt Slaf would be safe anywhere, not to mention the obvious, that’s it’s an unrealistic standard for the type of blood sport it is. However, I suspect he’d be an easy target for big hits whatever small ice surface he’d play.

Everyone incurs a big hit following a mental lapse or placing oneself in a vulnerable position but in Slaf’s case, it’s the frequency of these hits that seems excessive. I don’t remember any first year players on the Habs ever facing the same kind of onslaught.

Pacioretty was constantly getting hammered in his early days in the NHL.