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

[WeThreeKings]

Almost as many points as Kotkaniemi at 18 after 9 games.

Sometimes it feels like people just want him in NHL for their own personal needs. Watching the Habs this season obviously becomes more interesting with him in the lineup.

It's more that I see marked progress in Slaf's game, every game.. and I wouldn't put my worst enemy down in Laval to be coached by Houle.

 

[Kennerback]

Agreed

Which would be weird, wouldn't it?

I mean if he a NHL regular, why would his NHL team send him off?

Just doesn't make sense to me.

Not even sure why this is even a debate at this point.

But apparently pointing that out is being disrespectful.

There’s a list of hurdles and issues that complicate matters, the least of which is the player’s opinion. It’s so unlikely a team goes through this that someone has to have a source in the Habs org that that’s what they want to do. Otherwise what are we debating?

 

[417]

It's like Young Sheldon getting into university at 11, but going back to help his Middle School in the State Championship science contest.

Nailed that analogy lol

 

[Retired]

I was responding to folks who were saying he would go.

So not sure what your point is.



He signed an NHL ELC...safe to assume his priority is to be an NHL player.

That's what I been doing.

I been saying he's developing in the NHL and right now, that's where he should be.

Playing in the WJC *if it were held right now * would be a step back with the way he playing.

If his play slips or if he's a healthy scratch come December.

Then sure...WJC could be an option.

I'm not quite sure why that's so controversial or upsetting to some.

Team's don't draft players to fulfill their WJC aspirations, they draft them to be NHL players.

Pretty simple if you ask me.

My point has to do with how the internet works. Someone writes “I believe player x thinks this or that” and it steers conversations to what people think about him thinking that... Your points are valid to me up to the point where we talk about what he wants (or anyone), what motivates him, what his thoughts are on a given subject we have not heard him comment, or what the team thinks of it.

My own observation is that the way Hughes talks about his sons and young players (Dach, Slaf, Beck, all the draftees) he seems very sensitive to these learning experiences. Whether draft interviews or any other public statements, the org keeps saying they want players who develop as men, not just big legs.

Is the wjc part of that for Slaf? I think yes, and it’s ok to disagree.

 

[417]

My point has to do with how the internet works. Someone writes “I believe player x thinks this or that” and it steers conversations to what people think about him thinking that... Your points are valid to me up to the point where we talk about what he wants (or anyone), what motivates him, what his thoughts are on a given subject we have not heard him comment, or what the team thinks of it.

He signed an ELC...does that not signify his priority?

Unless his employer, who is the Montreal Canadiens, decide that the WJC are more important for his development, then what he wants is really immaterial.

I didn't make up the rules.

My own observation is that the way Hughes talks about his sons and young players (Dach, Slaf, Beck, all the draftees) he seems very sensitive to these learning experiences. Whether draft interviews or any other public statements, the org keeps saying they want players who develop as men, not just big legs.

Is he not in the middle of the most important learning experience there is for him?

Playing in the NHL...

Do people really think a few games against amateur players is more valuable then experience playing in the NHL?

Is the wjc part of that for Slaf? I think yes, and it’s ok to disagree.

I don't have an issue with folks disagreeing but I'm also allowed to disagree too.

 

[rickthegoon]

On pace for a 20+ goal season and zero assists.

And they said he was a playmaking power forward…

I'm guessing you're being ironic?
More than his 3 goals, Slaf has impressed me with his nifty passes, that sadly are aimed at clueless linesmates.
Put this big kid with decent linesmates and he would already have at least 10 points in the bank.
He has to be promoted soon and play with Monahan.

 

[Kennerback]

What is the WJC level? A 1st line in a mid-range country like Slovakia is perhaps a 4th line on an AHL team. On Canada’s first line uberdominant McTavish looks plain vanilla on an NHL team. His first line linemate Roy might or might not be an NHL player on day.

The WJC is a big step up from a major junior game. However, performing in the AHL is much more impressive than the WJC.

Bottom line is, the Habs would be sending him there for another reason than the level of hockey.

 

[Sorinth]

Correct, which is what I said.

But otherwise, wouldn't you find it a bit odd

Let's just hypothesize and say the WJC was next weekend.

You wouldn't find it a bit peculiar if Slafkovsky went to Kent Hughes and asked to be released to go play in the WJC? With the way he’s been playing and the role he has on the team?

I don't know man...I think some folks might be over playing this WJC experience.

Sure all kids dream of representing their countries at that tournament, but I doubt its at the expense of being NHL players lol.

The suggestion is even comical tbh

I'd be surprised by the ask but I wouldn't find it odd necessarily. That said I think the people believing this is at all likely are living in the past. There was maybe a time 20-30 years ago where European players cared more about those types of tournaments then they did NHL games but nowadays I doubt that's the case. That said there's always going to be a few exceptions and if Slaf is one of them so be it let him play in the WJC if that's really what he wants to do.

 

[417]

I'd be surprised by the ask but I wouldn't find it odd necessarily. That said I think the people believing this is at all likely are living in the past. There was maybe a time 20-30 years ago where European players cared more about those types of tournaments then they did NHL games but nowadays I doubt that's the case. That said there's always going to be a few exceptions and if Slaf is one of them so be it let him play in the WJC if that's really what he wants to do.

Sure that fair.

But look at all the roster gymnastics the Habs are going through just to keep him on the roster.

They're probably waiving Rem Pitlick today, they put Dadonov on IR when he was “sick”.

They're not acting like a team who has any intention of sending him anywhere.

 

[An0n]

Yes it is a red flag if he wants to do that rather than play in the NHL. Again, he's playing, he's 3rd on the team in goals, he's arguably the 3rd best winger on this team. He's on the 2nd PP unit.

He's a PROFESSIONAL NATIONAL HOCKEY LEAGUE hockey player...NOT a member of the Slovakian National Junior Team or the IIHF and the Montreal Canadiens are NOT stakeholders in the Slovakian National Junior Team either.

Unless the Habs deem it best for his development to go play there, he has his priorities misaligned if he's prioritizing playing there over playing for the team that employs him.

This conversation is ridiculous honestly, just because you enjoy watching the WJC doesn't mean players would prioritize that over their jobs.

He's an NHL player, not an amateur...

NHL > WJC. I get it as fans it's fun for us to watch, but once you sign an ELC, your priority is your NHL team.

The guy is trying to establish himself as an NHL player, he wants to be a top line player and considering beyond Cole Caufield, the opportunity to play big minutes on the Habs as a winger is right there, you think he's gonna sabotage that so he can play with the Slovakian junior team for a few weeks?

Get real and pump YOUR breaks.

One could say otherwise with their recent draft picks

But I agree with you, he should stay in the NHL. Unless the rumour, at the beginning of the year, that he would be sent down before playing 40 games so the Habs gain 1 more year of control is true, I don't see what he can gain by playing there.

 

[Redux91]

Personally, I'd like him to go, have fun as a kid one last time, potentially dominate
Chance to help Slovakia where they dont medal often

If they DON'T let him go, I'll understand that too.

It's all good really

 

[stenlis]

Inspired by ExpatHab I created the following table:

I took all 1OA and 2OA forwards since 2000, got stats for their first 9 games they played at the age of 18 (some, like Malkin never played an NHL game at 18) and sorted them by Points per 60 minutes of gameplay.

Slaf fits squarely between Rick Nash and Ilya Kovalchuk. If he had one more point he'd be slightly better than Kovy and had he scored 1 less he'd still be better than Eichel.

Some things to note:
- if Slaf had one more point he'd be slightly better than Kovy and had he scored 1 less he'd still be better than Eichel.
- he's got way better +/- than other players. +/- 0 to MTL's is -6. Kakko was the worst performer who managed to accumulate -26 on NYR's +12 season.
- other player's high TOI also means they were deployed in offensive zone face offs with some of the team's best forwards. Slaf mostly gets defensive zone deployment and not quite the best team mates.
- Slaf's stats and performance are most similar to Steven Stamkos who had similar TOI, similar deployment and +/- but hat 2g 2a instead of Slaf's 3g 0a.

 

[Kennerback]

Leadership and victory at the WJC certainly counts for something, but how much? It might have boosted a bit Kyle Chipchura’s overal package to be Captain to Canada’s WJC Gold medal team, but his success as a pro was much more conditioned by how good of a player he was to start off with.

 

[Kennerback]

Inspired by ExpatHab I created the following table:
View attachment 604584
I took all 1OA and 2OA forwards since 2000, got stats for their first 9 games they played at the age of 18 (some, like Malkin never played an NHL game at 18) and sorted them by Points per 60 minutes of gameplay.

Slaf fits squarely between Rick Nash and Ilya Kovalchuk. If he had one more point he'd be slightly better than Kovy and had he scored 1 less he'd still be better than Eichel.

Some things to note:
- if Slaf had one more point he'd be slightly better than Kovy and had he scored 1 less he'd still be better than Eichel.
- he's got way better +/- than other players. +/- 0 to MTL's is -6. Kakko was the worst performer who managed to accumulate -26 on NYR's +12 season.
- other player's high TOI also means they were deployed in offensive zone face offs with some of the team's best forwards. Slaf mostly gets defensive zone deployment and not quite the best team mates.
- Slaf's stats and performance are most similar to Steven Stamkos who had similar TOI, similar deployment and +/- but hat 2g 2a instead of Slaf's 3g 0a.

Also the fact it’s just goals is much more valuable than just assists or a mix.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

I get the point people are trying to make since as a Canadian I couldn't care less about the wjc but its different for Euro players. That said if it was the olympics Id be all for it but WJC meh kid is in the big leagues now

 

[GaboriklessWild]

Literally no one cares about the WJC in Slovakia, so I doubt he'll have sleepless nights because of not participating in the WJC. Unless there is some miracle and Montreal goes deep into the PO, he will be playing in the men's world championships, which is more important to the Slovak people.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Personally, I'd like him to go, have fun as a kid one last time, potentially dominate
Chance to help Slovakia where they dont medal often

If they DON'T let him go, I'll understand that too.

It's all good really

What happens to this development/confidence/momentum if he gets sent to Laval and the following happens?
* He struggles in the AHL with more ice time due to the talent and structure of play around him
* He doesn't have a good WJC.

Then what? I would call that negative development. Slaf close to MSL and our young NHL core is a good situation for him IMO. This is about gaining confidence/momentum as the season moves along. That's good development and each player needs to be managed independitly

Also the fact it’s just goals is much more valuable than just assists or a mix.

Agreed. All 3 goals are top end type goals IMO.

I said this before the season... his biggest challenge in development is pace of play and less time and space. He's very fit and skates OK for his size but he's going to need time to adjust to the NHL.

Goals and Assists are one thing. Ability to play within the structure and work with your line-mates while you are a solid 200' player is something many fans will look past in their stat watching.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

 

[morhilane]

Booooooo!

 

[ReHabs]

Mansplaining -- how typical of Arpon Basu. Pfft.

 

[ReHabs]

Inspired by ExpatHab I created the following table:
View attachment 604584
I took all 1OA and 2OA forwards since 2000, got stats for their first 9 games they played at the age of 18 (some, like Malkin never played an NHL game at 18) and sorted them by Points per 60 minutes of gameplay.

Slaf fits squarely between Rick Nash and Ilya Kovalchuk. If he had one more point he'd be slightly better than Kovy and had he scored 1 less he'd still be better than Eichel.

Some things to note:
- if Slaf had one more point he'd be slightly better than Kovy and had he scored 1 less he'd still be better than Eichel.
- he's got way better +/- than other players. +/- 0 to MTL's is -6. Kakko was the worst performer who managed to accumulate -26 on NYR's +12 season.
- other player's high TOI also means they were deployed in offensive zone face offs with some of the team's best forwards. Slaf mostly gets defensive zone deployment and not quite the best team mates.
- Slaf's stats and performance are most similar to Steven Stamkos who had similar TOI, similar deployment and +/- but hat 2g 2a instead of Slaf's 3g 0a.

Great stuff! How did you figure out who was 18 as a rookie? I found the process quite tedious so I went with 'rookie season following draft' instead. As the games tick on I think we will see if he trends up or down - 9 games really is premature, the difference between 2pts in 9gp and 4pts in 9gp is 50%... but the plus/minus is interesting to see, good job by Slaf there so far, for sure.

I just posted my earlier table and analysis on the substack if you want to take a look!

 

[BaseballCoach]

Great stuff! How did you figure out who was 18 as a rookie? I found the process quite tedious so I went with 'rookie season following draft' instead. As the games tick on I think we will see if he trends up or down - 9 games really is premature, the difference between 2pts in 9gp and 4pts in 9gp is 0.5PPG... but the plus/minus is interesting to see, good job by Slaf there so far, for sure.

I just posted my earlier table and analysis on the substack if you want to take a look!

All good stuff. Eye test, stats, advanced stats and Coach's comments all point to one thing:

Slaf is off to a good start, well within the norms for a top pick of his age. The future? We will see.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Great stuff! How did you figure out who was 18 as a rookie? I found the process quite tedious so I went with 'rookie season following draft' instead. As the games tick on I think we will see if he trends up or down - 9 games really is premature, the difference between 2pts in 9gp and 4pts in 9gp is 0.5PPG... but the plus/minus is interesting to see, good job by Slaf there so far, for sure.

I just posted my earlier table and analysis on the substack if you want to take a look!

The difference between 2 pts and 4 pts in 9 games is 0.22/game

 

[ReHabs]

The difference between 2 pts and 4 pts in 9 games is 0.22/game

Ahhh I meant 50% not 0.5ppg. Good catch