Galchenyuk did not really stagnate. By age 22, he was scoring 1.0 ppg for 46 games straight until he got hurt and did not rehab properly for whatever reasons.
Many fans say the same thing about new GM regimes across sports and 90% of them are left disappointed. I was in grad school when Buffalo started their rebuild with so much fanfare… my classmate was a die hard Sabres fan and he was so stoked. Blessed him.
Yes, it's hard to know what sparked him to post that, but I wouldn't be surprised if he saw some people complain on twitter about Slaf's production in 9 games for a 1st overall.
Exactly, so they should do what's in Slafkovsky's best medium to long term interests.
It absolutely is. If there's a greater chance of being injured in one venue or another then that should absolutely be a factor in where any developing player (not just Slafkovsky) gets deployed.
It appears MSL passed the 'smell test'.
I just think people are putting up double standards when defending management. When it's convenient to their argument, people acknowledge Montreal is a different market and has added pressure/social responsibility/no one wants to come/etc etc. Yet, from what I see, it seems to be ignored when we are talking development. Is it really just all a coincidence or maybe there's just something with young kids not being able to handle being in the NHL in a large market like Montreal?
That's the reason a psychological/personality assessment is a one of the input factors.
Galchenyuk was not rushed. Until he blew (?) his rehab almost 5 years after he was drafted, he was progressing to the point where at 22, he was a regular center putting up 1.0 ppg.
I don't think its a matter of trust. All of us have the opportunity to observe this player and make our own assessment. Nothing that I have seen of Slafkovsky's play (other than one incident at the end of his shift in the closing minutes of one game where he failed to protect himself) would demonstrate that this young player is overwhelmed by the physicality of the game. He is competing physically along the boards and on the forecheck. He is keeping up with the play. He is making plays in the offensive zone. His shot is overpowering NHL level goalies. He's scoring. No one has to trust the judgement of the rookie GM. Use your own judgment to assess the stage of this young player's development. Until I see that Slafkovsky is overwhelmed by the speed, pace and physicality of the game (like some other highly drafted player) and he continues to produce, I see little benefit in having him play against lesser competition.
We just heard a comment no long ago from Slaf saying he was sleeping even better since he got some PP time. Kid wants to play, he deserves to play more and with better linemates, problem we only have a top line and 3 third lines.Wow. The coaching staff that observes him every day must be noticing Slaf's slumping attitude and enthusiasm. Perhaps that is why the head coach called Slaf's progression "superb", just before they decided to keep him with this miserable bunch of losers beyond the 9 game trial. St-Louis was just trying to get the kid out of his depression, that's it!
No doubt that Slafkovsky can learn in the NHL, given that he is and that MSL as a coach is more likely to be consistent in his treatment of young players than certain coaches.
My concern isn’t his physicality. It’s his vision and playmaking ability. I want him in a position to thrive and make plays. If he is merely just keeping up, he would look much like he looks these past nine games of his.
I am a big big fan of MSL. A total breath of fresh air. Him and Caufield and Suzuki are the three most important figures right now.It appears MSL passed the 'smell test'.
He is a rookie coach but the results are coming to fruition.
Galchenyuk is not like the rest.
Agreed with this. I would add that KK was rushed because he was seen as a huge need and thus huge pressure on his shoulders, which is really not the case with Slaf right now, so he can quietly develop without any big expectations for the season.
He had the strength and wisdom to ignore the consensus and use his own judgment. For that small act of critical analysis, his tenure to date should be viewed positively.
