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

[ChesterNimitz]

I'm for keeping Slaf here at this time, but the bolded reason is weak. It's certainly not "above all"!

Perhaps. But who prey tell would you have play and watch instead of Slafkovsky. Slafkovsky, Xhekaj, and all the other young players on the team have brought a level of excitement to the team’s fanbase that we haven’t witnessed in decades. That excitement creates interest in the product which helps sell tickets, merchandise, and increased advertising revenues. This is a business. The team has swagger and a growing identity. Slavkofsky is part of that identity. Unless he stumbles, Slafkovsky is going no where. It would be bad for business.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Perhaps. But who prey tell would you have play and watch instead of Slafkovsky. Slafkovsky, Xhekaj, and all the other young players on the team have brought a level of excitement to the team’s fanbase that we haven’t witnessed in decades. That excitement creates interest in the product which helps sell tickets, merchandise, and increased advertising revenues. This is a business. The team has swagger and a growing identity. Slavkofsky is part of that identity. Unless he stumbles, Slafkovsky is going no where. It would be bad for business.

I'm excited for the development of our youngsters in this supposedly non-developmental league.

Even our oldest important skater is only 28 and was a 6th overall pick.

The business benefits are ancillary, and certainly not not "above all". Since the fans don't pocket the profits, I don't really care.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Side benefit perhaps, but not "above all", and since the fans don't pocket the profits, I don't really care.

But the team that ‘pocket the profits’ and makes the decision does care.

 

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

Some very nice displays of poised puck-hounding from him tonight.

Agreed! His board work and forecheck are on point. Between him and Dach, we have two possession monsters

 

[Retired]

The kid has shown he can skate at the NHL level. He is a physical presence on the ice. He’s getting scoring chances. He’s getting an opportunity to play on the power play. He’s scoring . He’s part of a growing young core players on an ascending team. His respected coach says he is improving each game. He seems to be a popular player among his teammates. I can’t see the logic in sending him to Laval so he can play two more shifts a period against inferior opposition.

But above all, professional sports is entertainment. Most fans want to see Slafkovsky play. If he’s sent down who takes his place Dandonov? Pez? Some other call up?

It took the rookies about a period to catch up to the Blues with pace but benching 3x vets and playing the kids worked fine. If Evans hadn’t gone 1-11 on face-offs guys like Slaf and Pezz might have been chasing less too.

Slaf looked solid.

 

[Nedved]

He's adapting to the nhl. The talent is there, for sure, but he's still raw. I'm starting to lean towards him hanging around if he has PP time and averages 12-15 minutes a night with Evans. It seems like a solid fit, oddly.

 

[Tyson]

It took the rookies about a period to catch up to the Blues with pace but benching 3x vets and playing the kids worked fine. If Evans hadn’t gone 1-11 on face-offs guys like Slaf and Pezz might have been chasing less too.

Slaf looked solid.

On a side note I am expecting a bit more from Evans.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

It took the rookies about a period to catch up to the Blues with pace but benching 3x vets and playing the kids worked fine. If Evans hadn’t gone 1-11 on face-offs guys like Slaf and Pezz might have been chasing less too.

Slaf looked solid.

As I said earlier, Evans has been the biggest disappointment for this writer this early season. Some will quickly reply: bigger than Hoffman? My response is: did anyone seriously think or expect Hoffman would be a major contributor this year? After his performance last year I had reasonable expectations that Evans' contribution this year would be more telling. I know its early, but with Beck and others on the horizon, I am suspecting that Evan's tenure with the club may not be as secure as many, including this writer, thought. But, as noted, it's still early.

 

[Tyson]

As I said earlier, Evans has been the biggest disappointment for this writer this early season. Some will quickly reply: bigger than Hoffman? My response is: did anyone seriously think or expect Hoffman would be a major contributor this year? After his year performance last year I had reasonable expectations that Evans' contribution this year would be more telling. I know its early, but with Beck and others on the horizon, I am suspecting that Evan's tenure with the club may not be as secure as many, including this writer, thought. But, as noted, it's still early.

While I am excited with Owen Beck and what he could become but he is at least 2 years ago.

 

[ahmedou]

Did Slaf just singlehandedly fix our PP?

Our last PP goal on the road was last season against the Blue Jackets. More specifically on April 13, 2022...

This is facts...

 

[BaseballCoach]

When people can‘t make a difference between toxicity and free speech on a forum designed to exchange points of view, maybe they are the ones who don‘t belong here. Just a thought.


I am not sure about Evans but with Armia and Slaf you definitely have two wingers able to keep the puck in the O Zone.

I'd prefer Anderson for Slaf if we were in a vaccuum, but if Anderson is really helping Dvorak's line, then Armia could be a reasonable substitute, if he plays with heart.

Caufield-Suzuki-Dach
Anderson-Dvorak-Gallagher
Slafkovsky-Monahan-Armia
Pitlick-Evans-best of rest

If Monahan is not a good enough playmaker to feed an improving Slafkovsky, we can always switch him with Dach. I think Monahan on the first line makes it a real first line that does not get bottled up in its own zone very often.

 

[BaseballCoach]

As I said earlier, Evans has been the biggest disappointment for this writer this early season. Some will quickly reply: bigger than Hoffman? My response is: did anyone seriously think or expect Hoffman would be a major contributor this year? After his year performance last year I had reasonable expectations that Evans' contribution this year would be more telling. I know its early, but with Beck and others on the horizon, I am suspecting that Evan's tenure with the club may not be as secure as many, including this writer, thought. But, as noted, it's still early.

OK, but it is easier to justify a defensive/support role at $1.7M than it is for the three Amigos.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

While I am excited with Owen Beck and what he could become but he is at least 2 years ago.

No question. But if Evans' play does not improve, he won't be here when Beck does arrive. As for Beck, if he continues to dominate in the OHL. has a strong WJC and shows well at next years training camp, he may be a fixture on the team sooner than many suspect. A lot of ifs, but many teams are now lamenting passing on Beck at the bottom half of the first round of last year's draft. As are many teams who passed on Hutson. The 2022 draft, with Slafkovsky, Mesar, Beck and Hutson may well turn out to be the best draft for us since 1984.

 

[RationalExpectations]

I'd prefer Anderson for Slaf if we were in a vaccuum, but if Anderson is really helping Dvorak's line, then Armia could be a reasonable substitute, if he plays with heart.

Caufield-Suzuki-Dach
Anderson-Dvorak-Gallagher
Slafkovsky-Monahan-Armia
Pitlick-Evans-best of rest

If Monahan is not a good enough playmaker to feed an improving Slafkovsky, we can always switch him with Dach. I think Monahan on the first line makes it a real first line that does not get bottled up in its own zone very often.

I actually would like to see a Slaf Dach Armia Line that could be fun.

 

[Tyson]

No question. But if Evans' play does not improve, he won't be here when Beck does arrive. As for Beck, if continues to dominate in the OHL. has a strong WJC and shows well at next years training camp, he may be a fixture on the team sooner than many suspect. A lot of ifs, but many teams are now lamenting passing on Beck at the bottom half of the first round of last year's draft. As are many teams who passed on Hutson. The 2022 draft, with Slafkovsky, Mesar, Beck and Hutson may well turn out to be the best draft for us since 1984.

Totally agree.

Oh btw the 1987 draft was pretty good too

 

[ChesterNimitz]

OK, but it is easier to justify a defensive/support role at $1.7M than it is for the three Amigos.

But only if the supposed defensive /support role player is a contributing factor. So far, and again, its early, Evans has been a liability on the ice. He can't win face-offs, he has multiple give-a -ways at crucial times and he provides little to no offence. If we had better options, he would be sitting.

 

[CAUFIELD]

As I said earlier, Evans has been the biggest disappointment for this writer this early season. Some will quickly reply: bigger than Hoffman? My response is: did anyone seriously think or expect Hoffman would be a major contributor this year? After his year performance last year I had reasonable expectations that Evans' contribution this year would be more telling. I know its early, but with Beck and others on the horizon, I am suspecting that Evan's tenure with the club may not be as secure as many, including this writer, thought. But, as noted, it's still early.

What is your expectation for our 4th C evans?

He is normally solid in faceoffs, great defensively, nice speed and can finish plays times to times . Good contract for 3 years . He’s ain’t a problem at all

 

[BaseballCoach]

While I am excited with Owen Beck and what he could become but he is at least 2 years ago.

Imagine in two years Farrell-Beck-Mesar as a 3rd line.

Slafkovsky-Suzuki-Caufield
2023 1st round pick (3 tries at one)-Dach-Anderson
Farrell-Beck-Mesar
Armia-Evans-Gallagher (almost another 3rd line)

Use Dvorak, Edmundson and our 2024 1st round pick to acquire two really good defencemen through draft or trade. UFA if all else fails.

But only if the supposed defensive /support role player is a contributing factor. So far, and again, its early, Evans has been a liability on the ice. He can't win face-offs, he has multiple give-a -ways at crucial times and he provides little to no offence. If we had better options, he would be sitting.

Evans is 52.4% on faceoffs over the 9 games. One game, good or bad, is not a reliable sample size.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

What is your expectation for our 4th C evans?

He is normally solid in faceoffs, great defensively, nice speed and can finish plays times to times . Good contract for 3 years . He’s ain’t a problem at all

You have aptly described last year's Evans. This year, he has shown little of what you described. But, as I said, its still early. But if his play does not improve, he will be replaced.

 

[Habs10Habs]

Disagree — he needs to learn to make plays and 10min a night is not sufficient.

It could be that he’s a really fast learner, we’ll see over the next few games, but he needs to develop his game before ‘adapting’ to the NHL.

But this is all aside from the fact he had a good goal and return from injury. More of the same, show you belong. Let’s go baby.

He's continuing to improve on a game to game basis. If he was being treated like Wright in Seattle. (6 mins per game, followed by lengthy stays in the press box.) Then I could see you having an argument. As of now, he's slowly getting spoon fed minutes, and being put into tougher situations. He had his first PP experience and responded well.

MSL stated his plan for Slaf, and seems to be following it to a T. As he continues to improve, so will his minutes. So, patience my friend, he has shown that he belongs.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Imagine in two years Farrell-Beck-Mesar as a 3rd line.

Slafkovsky-Suzuki-Caufield
2023 1st round pick-Dach-Anderson
Farrell-Beck-Mesar
Armia-Evans-Gallagher (almost another 3rd line)

Use Dvorak, Edmundson and our 2024 1st round pick to acquire two really good defencemen through draft or trade. UFA if all else fails.


Evans is 52.4% on faceoffs over the 9 games. One game, good or bad, is not a reliable sample size.

The season is now 10% over. Evans has one point so far. All I'm saying is if his game doesn't pick up and at 30 games played he has less than 10 points, a 52% face-off win rate will not save him a roster spot. Nor should it. But I remain hopeful that the effectiveness of his play will return to the level that we saw last year that earned him his contract extension. But what if it doesn't?

 

[Tyson]

He's continuing to improve on a game to game basis. If he was being treated like Wright in Seattle. (6 mins per game, followed by lengthy stays in the press box.) Then I could see you having an argument. As of now, he's slowly getting spoon fed minutes, and being put into tougher situations. He had his first PP experience and responded well.

MSL stated his plan for Slaf, and seems to be following it to a T. As he continues to improve, so will his minutes. So, patience my friend, he has shown that he belongs.

% Slaf is showing that he belongs.

 

[BlackEye from Xhekaj]

I'm for keeping Slaf here at this time, but the bolded reason is weak. It's certainly not "above all"!

What he should have done is elaborated.. Sports is entertainment, but above all it's a business about making money/profit.. Slafkovsky helps sell merchandise, helps tv ratings, helps sales overall. Fans want to watch him and will pay to do so.

Slaf has a media rep covering him specifically to relay everything back to Slovakia. He is a huge star there right now. Again, this brings in an entire fan base that's going to bring the team another revenue stream.

Overall, I both believe Slaf can learn and adapt while playing in the NHL this season, as long as they keep bringing him along slowly so he's not overwhelmed.. and secondly, I'm sure ownership/management have had discussions of the benefits of keeping him in the roster, both in terms of development, and how it affects their bottom line for the season.

 

[Kimota]

Why does he keep taunting other teams when he scores. Kid is a savage.

 

[BaseballCoach]

The season is now 10% over. Evans has one point so far. All I'm saying is if his game doesn't pick up and at 30 games played he has less than 10 points, a 52% face-off win rate will not save him a roster spot. Nor should it. But I remain hopeful that the effectiveness of his play will return to the level that we saw last year that earned him his contract extension. But what if it doesn't?

He got the contract extension before he played last season.