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

[Kennerback]

Agreed................all the kid did wrong there, was let up thinking he would not get hit, from behind mind you.

People are way over reacting about this..........

It was a blind side hit that doesn’t warrant supplementary discipline in that Slaf “is not aware of the impending hit” (Rule43). Some hits are dangerous but the league won’t react.

That’s why there needs to be on-ice policing. That comes in 2 forms. Enforcers or payback. I believe it was Nurse a while back that had hit Gallagher with a dangerous hit. No suspension. Gallagher waited until another opportunity to hit Nurse back with a dangerous hit. No suspension either.

Slafkovsky needs to bide his time and hit Rossi back when he’s ‘unaware’ next season if he’s in the NHL.

 

[Justsayin]

It was a blind side hit that doesn’t warrant supplementary discipline in that Slaf “is not aware of the impending hit” (Rule43). Some hits are dangerous but the league won’t react.

That’s why there needs to be on-ice policing. That comes in 2 forms. Enforcers or payback. I believe it was Nurse a while back that had hit Gallagher with a dangerous hit. No suspension. Gallagher waited until another opportunity to hit Nurse back with a dangerous hit. No suspension either.

Slafkovsky needs to bide his time and hit Rossi back when he’s ‘unaware’ next season if he’s in the NHL.

I didn't like the hit either. But Slaf's got better things to do than collect vendettas. I certainly wouldn't be holding back on Rossi in the future if I were anyone on the team, but I wouldn't go looking for it either.

 

[Kennerback]

I didn't like the hit either. But Slaf's got better things to do than collect vendettas. I certainly wouldn't be holding back on Rossi in the future if I were anyone on the team, but I wouldn't go looking for it either.

When Wilson took out Panarin, it was dangerous but not suspendable. But that doesn’t mean on ice discipline shouldn’t be metted. There was all that drama in NY and they deemed Parros just wants some issues dealt between the players.

 

[Skip Bayless]

The ship is coming for Slaf, none of you can do anything about it.

 

[417]

Is “send him down to the AHL” just a reflex for some?

Any time the dude has a mistake on the ice, loses the puck, gets drilled, misses an assignment.

I see the same requests lol

So in other words, we want development…we just don’t want to see it unfold?

 

[Kennerback]

I didn't like the hit either. But Slaf's got better things to do than collect vendettas. I certainly wouldn't be holding back on Rossi in the future if I were anyone on the team, but I wouldn't go looking for it either.

It was too close to the end of the game for Rossi to pay the consequences. Typically those things carry over to next season. The enforcer “Code” would be that a Wild player takes a beating next time the teams meet...

In this case, it should be Slaf that takes care of Rossi himself. Beliveau had a ton of PIMs when he first came in the NHL to pay back all the cheap shots he was getting. After a while, players stopped targeting him.

 

[Kennerback]

Is “send him down to the AHL” just a reflex for some?

Any time the dude has a mistake on the ice, loses the puck, gets drilled, misses an assignment.

I see the same requests lol

So in other words, we want development…we just don’t want to see it unfold?

There’s some people that just can’t accept he’s ready for the NHL already. Take a look at the posters history and it almost corresponds perfectly with those that were vociferously denouncing the Slaf pick.

Now other than what your eyes should be telling you about his on-ice play, just ask yourself if those are the posters who really have Slafkovsky’s best interest at heart.

 

[HitHard]

Well said about the AHL's decline as a development league.

It’s the NHL organizations fault to employ minor league coach that just want to win to coach NHL instead of being formative for your young guns.

 

[River Meadow]

Wish he had an edge to his game. Like Svech.

Instead he's playing like Armia/Drouin. Knocked down by 5'9 Rossi? Jesus.

I just wanted to bump this post.

 

[417]

There’s some people that just can’t accept he’s ready for the NHL already. Take a look at the posters history and it almost corresponds perfectly with those that were vociferously denouncing the Slaf pick.

Now other than what your eyes should be telling you about his on-ice play, just ask yourself if those are the posters who really have Slafkovsky’s best interest at heart.

I don’t know…if he’s not ready for the NHL, then half of the team isn’t either.

I know people wanna focus on the Rossi hit last night as evidence he’s not ready (selective confirmation bias) but did they seriously ignore several other sequences earlier where he was strong on the puck, shielding it and using his body while protecting it?

Just bizarre

I just wanted to bump this post.

Did people miss 59 mins and 30 of the entire game and just tune in for that 30 second sequence?

Y’all wildin’

 

[Kennerback]

I just wanted to bump this post.

Did you see 5’9 Gallagher demolish 6’5” Darnell Nurse? Maybe someone could make a compilation of the best non suspended blind side hits by small players on players 6’2 and more.

 

[HabsForHire]

There’s some people that just can’t accept he’s ready for the NHL already. Take a look at the posters history and it almost corresponds perfectly with those that were vociferously denouncing the Slaf pick.

Now other than what your eyes should be telling you about his on-ice play, just ask yourself if those are the posters who really have Slafkovsky’s best interest at heart.

And some people can't accept other people's opinions, I still don't think he's fully ready and 4th line isn't helping. What are you going to do about it...

 

[Egresch]

Top 6 + PP time or AHL. Enough of this already, he needs the puck on his stick.

12 minutes and 50 seconds of PP again, in a meaningless game.

I don't agree. People tend to forget that players also develop by training. If you consider all skill coaches, all teammates he has around, those training session can give him more than 5 extra minutes in meaningless AHL game.

 

[Mrb1p]

It was a blind side hit that doesn’t warrant supplementary discipline in that Slaf “is not aware of the impending hit” (Rule43). Some hits are dangerous but the league won’t react.

That’s why there needs to be on-ice policing. That comes in 2 forms. Enforcers or payback. I believe it was Nurse a while back that had hit Gallagher with a dangerous hit. No suspension. Gallagher waited until another opportunity to hit Nurse back with a dangerous hit. No suspension either.

Slafkovsky needs to bide his time and hit Rossi back when he’s ‘unaware’ next season if he’s in the NHL.

Gallys a little rat and that is one of the most dangerous thing you could do. Literally two very different situations.

 

[Tyson]

It’s the NHL organizations fault to employ minor league coach that just want to win to coach NHL instead of being formative for your young guns.

Every team has to surround their prospects with a certain amount of vets, many of whom are lacking in talent and make up for it with thuggery.

 

[Kennerback]

Gallys a little rat and that is one of the most dangerous thing you could do. Literally two very different situations.

It was tit for that. Until blind side hits are suspended more, there’s no other choice.

This is what nurse had done to Gallagher before. No suspension.



And Gallagher’s payback again... No suspension.

 

[Mrb1p]

Is “send him down to the AHL” just a reflex for some?

Any time the dude has a mistake on the ice, loses the puck, gets drilled, misses an assignment.

I see the same requests lol

So in other words, we want development…we just don’t want to see it unfold?

This isnt development. Hes barely playing. He needs puck touches, he needs situations in which he can learn. You don't learn physics by watching the world around you, you do hands-on maths. Its the same with anything.

Most important time of his career is right now, his brain is still in full development, the gains he could make are insane. Instead hes glued to the bench.

I don't agree. People tend to forget that players also develop by training. If you consider all skill coaches, all teammates he has around, those training session can give him more than 5 extra minutes in meaningless AHL game.

Training is a non-factor because it happens at similar frequency anywhere he would be. The facilities in Laval and Brossard are very similar and its a 15 minutes ride from the bell center, pretty sure Nicholas would stick around there.

I don’t know…if he’s not ready for the NHL, then half of the team isn’t either.

I know people wanna focus on the Rossi hit last night as evidence he’s not ready (selective confirmation bias) but did they seriously ignore several other sequences earlier where he was strong on the puck, shielding it and using his body while protecting it?

Just bizarre


Did people miss 59 mins and 30 of the entire game and just tune in for that 30 second sequence?

Y’all wildin’

Thats just a lame come back, sophism 101.

Anyway, nah, theyre not, thats why this team will finish in the bottom of the barrel lol.

 

[JoelWarlord]

I don’t know…if he’s not ready for the NHL, then half of the team isn’t either.

This is where I am too. I think the AHL vs NHL argument is still an open question in a vacuum and I wouldn't begrudge someone for thinking he'd be better off with 18-20 minutes a night as a first liner and PP1 mainstay in the AHL. The thing is though, he's in actuality playing for the 22-23 Canadiens and not a median NHL team in a vacuum. And for the 22-23 Canadiens it's a lot murkier as he doesn't stand out as "less NHL-ready" than about half of our forward group on any given night.

There's a practical reality that these are real people and real careers at stake at the top of the highly competitive field of pro sports, and even the most negative appraisal of his play puts him as the 6th best winger on the team right now. Everyone can see that he's raw and making mistakes, but there is no convincing argument that he has been less effective as an NHLer so far than Drouin, Pitlick, Hoffman, or Dadonov.

I just don't really know how you send him down right now when he's legitimately outplaying a third to half of the forward lineup every night. That isn't some huge accomplishment or anything, but he's legitimately earning a spot in the NHL based on his play and is improving and earning a bit more leash every single night. To me, that's development and I think it's fine to carry on a while longer and adjust plans according to his play.

 

[jrom]

It would help to have an AHL team able to develop prospects, starting with the coach + having some veterans that can help young players.

Every team has to surround their prospects with a certain amount of vets, many of whom are lacking in talent and make up for it with thuggery.

That’s one of the things about the Rocket (beyond Houle). There are no gritty players in Laval, no skilled veteran that can mentor a high level rookie.

These issues should be looked into if we says we want to focus on player dev.

Imagine Mesar in Laval this year, who is playing on his line to both protect him and complete plays.

 

[Mrb1p]

This is where I am too. I think the AHL vs NHL argument is still an open question in a vacuum and I wouldn't begrudge someone for thinking he'd be better off with 18-20 minutes a night as a first liner and PP1 mainstay in the AHL. The thing is though, he's in actuality playing for the 22-23 Canadiens and not a median NHL team in a vacuum. And for the 22-23 Canadiens it's a lot murkier as he doesn't stand out as "less NHL-ready" than about half of our forward group on any given night.

There's a practical reality that these are real people and real careers at stake at the top of the highly competitive field of pro sports, and even the most negative appraisal of his play puts him as the 6th best winger on the team right now. Everyone can see that he's raw and making mistakes, but there is no convincing argument that he has been less effective as an NHLer so far than Drouin, Pitlick, Hoffman, or Dadonov.

I just don't really know how you send him down right now when he's legitimately outplaying a third to half of the forward lineup every night. That isn't some huge accomplishment or anything, but he's legitimately earning a spot in the NHL based on his play and is improving and earning a bit more leash every single night. To me, that's development and I think it's fine to carry on a while longer and adjust plans according to his play.

It is the same line of thought that brought us to screw up Kotkaniemi.

If he is the 6th best winger, (he is, I think, more or less.) Why is he playing the least?

It would help to have an AHL team able to develop prospects, starting with the coach + having some veterans that can help young players.


That’s one of the things about the Rocket (beyond Houle). There are no gritty players in Laval, no skilled veteran that can mentor a high level rookie.

These issues should be looked into if we says we want to focus on player dev.

Imagine Mesar in Laval this year, who is playing on his line to both protect him and complete plays.

JFH and the make-up of the Rockets is my first red flag towards HuGo.

The handling of Juraj.
The handling of the vets this year (Money, Dvo, Gally, Hoff, Dads, Drouin, Matheson, Edmundson, Savard, Armia) is also scaring me and will be a make or break for me.

If the Habs end the year with the situation not changing, I will rank HuGo as Bergevins heirs.

 

[Destopcorner]

It was a blind side hit that doesn’t warrant supplementary discipline in that Slaf “is not aware of the impending hit” (Rule43). Some hits are dangerous but the league won’t react.

That’s why there needs to be on-ice policing. That comes in 2 forms. Enforcers or payback. I believe it was Nurse a while back that had hit Gallagher with a dangerous hit. No suspension. Gallagher waited until another opportunity to hit Nurse back with a dangerous hit. No suspension either.

Slafkovsky needs to bide his time and hit Rossi back when he’s ‘unaware’ next season if he’s in the NHL.

Blindside hit? You have to be blind to not be aware that Rossi was in his boots 5 seconds before the hit.... How can he stand still like this when he knows it's coming is pretty telling.. Yeah he's 230 but he falls as much / more than KK at 18. To me its clear as day Slaf can't protect himself with the number of big hits near the boards he already received. He doesn't process the game fast enough on american ice size and will need time to... Which is why I want him in the AHL or wouldn't even be mad to see him dominate in juniors just like Mesar. Learn to position yourself before getting killed son, we don't want another Nolan Patrick...

 

[hardcorehabs]

Yeah Svech is 23 now bub
Wait til you see this kid at 23

Lol @ making a big deal about getting hit from behind unsuspectingly, which he will have to be more alert on no doubt, but LOL if he had come up to him in full view and in front he most likely clenches and doesnt budge
But no yeah, breaking news Teenager in NHL gets bumped from behind into the boards = bust

Just bugs me he was described as some genetic freak who was going to be mini Jagr and dominate physically.

Seems it’s not in his blood. Look at the Tkachuks or Lucic or even Jackeye. They’re young and all play solid the moment they got to the league.

Slaf looks like he doesn’t want to play a physical game at all.

 

[ReHabs]

This is where I am too. I think the AHL vs NHL argument is still an open question in a vacuum and I wouldn't begrudge someone for thinking he'd be better off with 18-20 minutes a night as a first liner and PP1 mainstay in the AHL. The thing is though, he's in actuality playing for the 22-23 Canadiens and not a median NHL team in a vacuum. And for the 22-23 Canadiens it's a lot murkier as he doesn't stand out as "less NHL-ready" than about half of our forward group on any given night.

There's a practical reality that these are real people and real careers at stake at the top of the highly competitive field of pro sports, and even the most negative appraisal of his play puts him as the 6th best winger on the team right now. Everyone can see that he's raw and making mistakes, but there is no convincing argument that he has been less effective as an NHLer so far than Drouin, Pitlick, Hoffman, or Dadonov.

I just don't really know how you send him down right now when he's legitimately outplaying a third to half of the forward lineup every night. That isn't some huge accomplishment or anything, but he's legitimately earning a spot in the NHL based on his play and is improving and earning a bit more leash every single night. To me, that's development and I think it's fine to carry on a while longer and adjust plans according to his play.

The thing you need to ask is if it is in Slaf or the Habs’ best interests to keep him in the NHL despite the fact he’s one of our 12 best forwards?

On one hand it is a lost year with a bad roster so the NHL quality of this roster is irrelevant

On the other hand the single biggest knock on Slaf is his hockey IQ. Will he develop his playmaking ability in the NHL playing bottom6 minutes? The game is too fast and fierce in the NHL in any case. Many young players get stuck in one way of doing things because it’s the only way they feel they can survive.

He needs heavy, all-purpose minutes wherever he plays. He needs to be leaned on to tie games up, to break ties and put his team ahead, to be the Ovechkin of his team — the guy you turn to help tilt the ice.

If we agree he’s a quick study, and the fact he has this tremendous frame and figure which we can see every game, then maybe sticking in the NHL and getting eased into a top6 role is good. But if we’re at the 25 game mark and he’s still looking like a bit of a headless chicken then this has been a lost opportunity to get him serious minutes in Jrs or Minors.

J

Just bugs me he was described as some genetic freak who was going to be mini Jagr and dominate physically.

Seems it’s not in his blood. Look at the Tkachuks or Lucic or even Jackeye. They’re young and all play solid the moment they got to the league.

Slaf looks like he doesn’t want to play a physical game at all.

Jagr, Hossa, Kovalchuk, Svechnikov…

If there was a big winger, Habs fans here favourably compared Slaf to him.

JFH and the make-up of the Rockets is my first red flag towards HuGo.

The handling of Juraj.
The handling of the vets this year (Money, Dvo, Gally, Hoff, Dads, Drouin, Matheson, Edmundson, Savard, Armia) is also scaring me and will be a make or break for me.

If the Habs end the year with the situation not changing, I will rank HuGo as Bergevins heirs.

Can you elaborate on this thought “the handling of the vets” ?

 

[Tyson]

It would help to have an AHL team able to develop prospects, starting with the coach + having some veterans that can help young players.


That’s one of the things about the Rocket (beyond Houle). There are no gritty players in Laval, no skilled veteran that can mentor a high level rookie.

These issues should be looked into if we says we want to focus on player dev.

Imagine Mesar in Laval this year, who is playing on his line to both protect him and complete plays.

Not a good place currently to help develop young players.

 

[Mrb1p]

The thing you need to ask is if it is in Slaf or the Habs’ best interests to keep him in the NHL despite the fact he’s one of our 12 best forwards?

On one hand it is a lost year with a bad roster so the NHL quality of this roster is irrelevant

On the other hand the single biggest knock on Slaf is his hockey IQ. Will he develop his playmaking ability in the NHL playing bottom6 minutes? The game is too fast and fierce in the NHL in any case. Many young players get stuck in one way of doing things because it’s the only way they feel they can survive.

He needs heavy, all-purpose minutes wherever he plays. He needs to be leaned on to tie games up, to break ties and put his team ahead, to be the Ovechkin of his team — the guy you turn to help tilt the ice.

If we agree he’s a quick study, and the fact he has this tremendous frame and figure which we can see every game, then maybe sticking in the NHL and getting eased into a top6 role is good. But if we’re at the 25 game mark and he’s still looking like a bit of a headless chicken then this has been a lost opportunity to get him serious minutes in Jrs or Minors.

J

Jagr, Hossa, Kovalchuk, Svechnikov…

If there was a big winger, Habs fans here favourably compared Slaf to him.


Can you elaborate on this thought “the handling of the vets” ?

Well, its mostly as something I will look at throughout the year.

If we end the season with the same roster and vets not moved out, still being used on the PP to calm their little ego and still trying to squeeze wins. As of now its too early to say anything for sure.