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

[417]

There's a huge difference between leaving your team during the regular season and the playoffs. I really shouldn't have to explain that to you. For example, have you heard of a player leaving his team when his wife/girlfriend has a baby during the playoffs? Exactly

I mean you care to make that distinction, and I get it, regular season games vs playoffs are at root, not the same.

But i'm thinking beyond that and just in terms of being a professional hockey player.

You have a job, if you're a player with a role on an NHL team...you don't leave to go play in a junior tournament you've already played in.

I think it's all moot anyway because I don't think guys who fight their whole lives to make it to the NHL, decide to take a 3 week leave of absence to go play junior hockey.

But again, that's just me and I certainly respect anyone who feels like you.

Agree to disagree on that.

I'm not saying he should go. I would just hope that it wouldn't be held against him if he would like too. That an open adult discussion would happen between Hughes and Slafkovsky. If it hasn't already happened. Like I mentioned earlier, this could all be pointless. Since no one knows whether he wants to go or not.

I know you're not saying he should go, I was just presenting the hypothetical.

All good.

Also if the reasons are good behind his decision to go to the tournament. I'm sure they (his teammates) wouldn't hold it against him. In fact, some might be happy because they would get more ice time.

If the reasons are

- I wanna play more
- i'm not playing enough
- I need to gain some confidence.
etc

In that vein...yes i'm sure every single player would understand (see Shane Wright situation)., and granted there's a lot of time between now and December and that might happen still (to which i've repeatedly said i'd be ok with sending him to the WJCs).

But if he'splaying, he's scoring goals and contrinbuting/developing, he's playing a role.

I would think the players might be a bit perplexed and frankly, so would I.

The fact that you're dragging this out in some huge dramatic form is way over the top. Questioning his commitment to the Habs, because he MIGHT want to play in some tournament? If he wanted to leave the Habs and go home and play right now. Then there would and should be red flags. Not for wanting to play in a short-term tournament.

I'm not dragging anything out...

I'm responding to posts made to me, if someone replies to my posts, I'll always respond. This is a discussion forum afterall?

I also never questioned his commitment to the Habs, I just said it would be a red-flag for me.

Not sure why that's controversial.

I never said that how you or anyone else should feel about it.

 

[BaseballCoach]

You are comparing playoff vs. maybe 5 games during the holidays season… Also WC where he could go every year vs. WJC this will be is last chance (WJC is more prestigious than WC, I sure there more kids looking and dreaming of the WJC than the WC). Yes, he is playing more than Wright but he is still the least used FW with no special team, what is that role… Is role will progress but right now getting turn down and that would be the reason, clearly that wouldn’t go over well with Slaf if he is asking it is important to him and because in is head he probably think he should be on the top 6 and is progression has nothing to do with Montreal or how he is used it is him having skills.

Putting the organisation above the team and player is also the kind of attitude that lead to MTL being such a middling team for so long. The player will get their way and get what they want they don’t need MTL, Montreal don’t run the league anymore we needs the player… As long as the requests isn’t unfair to other players or something that is negative to is career, he isn’t doing to party on Epstein island he is going to WJC, I don’t see the issue.

That is also the difference with a regular joe that would give is right arm to be about to play 1game in the NHL and all these guy that are top 500 in the world and they go out to the club and party don’t really care that much about the next game…
If is request is deal breaker for you, don’t be surprise that it could also be a deal breaker on is side… I prefer to manage the relationship…
Is it a good or reasonable resquest maybe not, but is it bad or irresponsible clearly not…
Different person at different time in the life from different background have different dream or want…

You are making a lot of assumptions that may not be true.

What I do know is that during the NHL season, the players work every day except for breaks. Breaks are prescribed by the CBA. Also a day or two off for a new baby, a couple of days for a death, but no one gets to leave work for an NHL team to go do something they "have their heart set on". Just does not happen.

The team can send a player on their payroll to Juniors (if under 20), AHL,, ECHL (if on ELC), Europe, or the WJC.

Team decides.

 

[tooji]

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.

I would say we have 1 1st line, 1 3rd line and 2 4th lines

 

[DAChampion]

Wouldnt you be more bummed if he got hurt playing in a tournament ?

No difference. Why would there be? Would you care more if he missed two games due to the flu?

The only thing that matters is the extent and duration of the injury.

 

[calder candidate]

You are making a lot of assumptions that may not be true.

What I do know is that during the NHL season, the players work every day except for breaks. Breaks are prescribed by the CBA. Also a day or two off for a new baby, a couple of days for a death, but no one gets to leave work for an NHL team to go do something they "have their heart set on". Just does not happen.

The team can send a player on their payroll to Juniors (if under 20), AHL,, ECHL (if on ELC), Europe, or the WJC.

Team decides.

I’m not saying that the team doesn’t decide, I’m saying that if a player make a request that isn’t detrimental to other player, the team or him self, has the GM I would accept. Again this isn’t a vacation, leading a team and winning is a positive experience.

 

[Habs10Habs]

I mean you care to make that distinction, and I get it, regular season games vs playoffs are at root, not the same.

But i'm thinking beyond that and just in terms of being a professional hockey player.

You have a job, if you're a player with a role on an NHL team...you don't leave to go play in a junior tournament you've already played in.

I think it's all moot anyway because I don't think guys who fight their whole lives to make it to the NHL, decide to take a 3 week leave of absence to go play junior hockey.

But again, that's just me and I certainly respect anyone who feels like you.

Agree to disagree on that.

I know you're not saying he should go, I was just presenting the hypothetical.

All good.

If the reasons are

- I wanna play more
- i'm not playing enough
- I need to gain some confidence.
etc

In that vein...yes i'm sure every single player would understand (see Shane Wright situation)., and granted there's a lot of time between now and December and that might happen still (to which i've repeatedly said i'd be ok with sending him to the WJCs).

But if he'splaying, he's scoring goals and contrinbuting/developing, he's playing a role.

I would think the players might be a bit perplexed and frankly, so would I.

I'm not dragging anything out...

I'm responding to posts made to me, if someone replies to my posts, I'll always respond. This is a discussion forum afterall?

I also never questioned his commitment to the Habs, I just said it would be a red-flag for me.

Not sure why that's controversial.

I never said that how you or anyone else should feel about it.

I think we're on the same page when it comes to whether or not he's going to ask to go. I think what caught my attention was the "red flag" comment.

You feel that IF Slafkovsky asked to go to the tournament. It should be considered a negative. Especially considering all the hoops management has gone through to keep him in the lineup. While I on the other hand, don't see it as a big deal.

 

[Goldenhands]

I would say we have 1 1st line, 1 3rd line and 2 4th lines

Yep, thats more accurate.

 

[417]

I think we're on the same page when it comes to whether or not he's going to ask to go. I think what caught my attention was the "red flag" comment.

Red flag just means it's peculiar for me.

Doesn't mean I'm branding him a Habs traitor for eternity.

You feel that IF Slafkovsky asked to go to the tournament. It should be considered a negative. Especially considering all the hoops management has gone through to keep him in the lineup. While I on the other hand, don't see it as a big deal.

My thoughts, and I stress that these are MY thoughts and are in no way meant to represent a reality necessary.

But I don't think its the player’s role or advisable, that he approach his GM to ask to be released to go play wjc or play PP or increase his minutes, etc.

Just like it wasn't his call to NOT participate in the WJC last September.

He just signed his ELC, he's a rookie...I seriously don't think this is how things work.

18yr olds don't go walking into the GMs office asking/demanding where they should play.

Sorry, just don't see this as a realistic thing.

If it happens, it will be mandated by the organization, not the player.

 

[calder candidate]

No, i'm comparing being a professional hockey player to being a professional hockey player.

He's already played in a WJC, WC and Olympic.

He's won an Olympic medal and won one of Slovakia's most prestigious awards for athlete's.

This part is just my guess, but i'm sure if he was asked (and i'm sure he probably will be asked), he'd say he'd rather play in the NHL at this point than go play for Slovakia at the WJC.

Again, just my guess and i'm just adding that anecdotally, not for any other reason.

Sorry, all due respect, I think you got this 100% wrong.

He's not asking the Habs to go play at the WJCs, there's no way man lol

There's some serious TSN WJC experience mojo going on here.

I get it, we're Canadian and we grew up watching Team Canada and the WJCs are so amazing and it's Xmas, and all that corny stuff.

But that's junior stuff...when you become a professional hockey player, you want to stay a professional hockey player.

We're not talking Olympics here, we're talking World JUNIOR championships.

Look you position is that don’t think that him asking is a possibility, if he did it you would be worried and wouldn’t let him go…

My position is that I’m willing to entertain the possibility that he might ask and that if is that If he ask to go, I would let him go…

99.9999999% chance that he isn’t going, I don’t even want him to go. I just don’t see any of the down side if he did.

 

[LaP]

But he could have learned the defensive part of the game playing in Laval, so that eventually he could learn to be a decent 3C. The trouble is the team saw him as their future 1C, and once Suzuki came along, 1A/1B C.

Mismatch.

JK can still learn to be a good 3rd line center. He's just 22. Far from over. But he'll more than very likely never be a top 6 guy.

 

[schwang26]

No difference. Why would there be? Would you care more if he missed two games due to the flu?

The only thing that matters is the extent and duration of the injury.

Ok. What if he broke his ankle while participating in a rodeo? Would you be pissed? The point I'm trying to make is you don't risk your assets if you don't have to. You manage risk. One way to do that is by not releasing him to play in a tournament.
If you still don't agree, I can't think of any other way to explain this.

 

[ZUKI]

Galchenyuk needed to work on his skating and defensive work and was instead rushed to the NHL where he never improved. The club didn’t make the same mistake with Suzuki and it is paying dividends now. They didn’t have the chance to rush Caufield, thankfully, but the previous administration did their best to try to ruin him too.

Kotkaniemi and Mete were both rushed with no consideration of their development.

Romanov was clearly not rushed, no need to bring him up, not Lehkonen… but both are limited offensively.

Developing playmaking ability is not this organization’s strong suit — and as we saw with Galchenyuk, Kotkaniemi, and Mete every player rushed in has stagnated big time. Hopefully this doesn’t happen with Slaf.

Name me one single player that doesn't need to work on something at 18 years old...

Galchenyuk put a 30 goals season. I don't call it a mistake. What Galchy did with his career after is only on him; night life +father telling him how to play+ not given a shit about what the coach was asking.

KK was maybe rushed, but once again, he wasn't a player easy to coach ( from Price ex-coach Waite) and got a prima donna attitude.

 

[Xirik]

I understand and acknowledge your position. I simply disagree that I (personally) need to be invested in HuGo until they deliver the goods.

Hiring MSL was inspired and phenomenal. Everything else was more or less predictable. Maybe the Dach trade was a swing.

It’s one thing to have faith that HuGo have a plan (I am sure they have a plan) but if they end up looking like they whiffed on Slaf and Dach (like Gorton might have done with Laf and Kakko) then they’d have wasted a friggin entire year+ and the 1OA.

I don’t think it’s sinful of me to be cautious when it comes to the Habs organization’s ability to develop sexy talent.

I definitely understand and see where you are coming from. when Fitzgerald was first starting as the NJ's GM all the Devils fans thought he was God. He did do some great things early on like the Hall trade which now has netted the Devils Siegenthaller, Bahl, and Mercer. but eventually all GM's are human and will make mistakes. Fitz missed the net when signing Tatar, Johnsson, and picking Chase Stillman in the 1st round. I still think he's a great GM but I know he can't preform miracles and steals all the time.

If fans know Hughes is human and will make mistakes thats fine but if people expect and see a saint they will eventually find themselves disapointed.

 

[BaseballCoach]

I’m not saying that the team doesn’t decide, I’m saying that if a player make a request that isn’t detrimental to other player, the team or him self, has the GM I would accept. Again this isn’t a vacation, leading a team and winning is a positive experience.

How is requesting to not play for the team not a detriment to the team if you are good enough to be on it?

 

[ZUKI]

Slaf has 3 goals in 9 games… on “ our” 4th line:

That. It's a different path if you compare him to some other players . Tkachuk was playing on the first or second line and got PP minutes in Ottawa. It was a no pressure situation because the team wasn't trying to make the playoffs , so they choose to let him live with his errors or bad plays.

MSL puts Slaf also in a no pressure situation, but instead he does it by putting him on the bottom lines. Difference here is that he wants also to develop Suzuki, Caufield, Dach...

I am sure that he will give more ice time and PP opportunities to Slaf as the season goes

 

[Habs10Habs]

Red flag just means it's peculiar for me.

Doesn't mean I'm branding him a Habs traitor for eternity.

My thoughts, and I stress that these are MY thoughts and are in no way meant to represent a reality necessary.

But I don't think its the player’s role or advisable, that he approach his GM to ask to be released to go play wjc or play PP or increase his minutes, etc.

Just like it wasn't his call to NOT participate in the WJC last September.

He just signed his ELC, he's a rookie...I seriously don't think this is how things work.

18yr olds don't go walking into the GMs office asking/demanding where they should play.

Sorry, just don't see this as a realistic thing.

If it happens, it will be mandated by the organization, not the player.

Then my bad. I took red flag to be more serious. As in you'd question his commitment to the team.

It probably wouldn't be Slafkovsky asking directly. It would be his agent who would bring it up Hughes. But I understand what you mean.

I don't think it's realistic either. Which is why I said I believe we're on the same page.

Agreed, if it were to happen. The decision would come from management.

 

[Jaaanosik]

The WJC horse must be dead by now, right?

 

[DAChampion]

Ok. What if he broke his ankle while participating in a rodeo? Would you be pissed? The point I'm trying to make is you don't risk your assets if you don't have to. You manage risk. One way to do that is by not releasing him to play in a tournament.
If you still don't agree, I can't think of any other way to explain this.

Is there an increases risk of injury at the WJCs than in the NHL?

 

[morhilane]

Is there an increases risk of injury at the WJCs than in the NHL?

Dach's wrist injury happened at the WJC, it totally screwed his development.

 

[The Great Weal]

Pretty useless stat, as Daigle being at the top shows.

Wasn't there a similar stat for Kotkaniemi with respect to goals in his first x number of playoff games at one point?

Lmao it was the KK has more goals than Crosby and Joe Sakic in the playoffs at the same age or something like that

 

[calder candidate]

How is requesting to not play for the team not a detriment to the team if you are good enough to be on it?

if you are the player with the least amount of ice time maybe you think you aren’t essential to that the team right now or that the next guy up can fill that role for 4-5 meaningless game, we have a few guy sitting out so I don’t see other player having a issue with it. Also the team is trending to finish bottom 10, so it isn’t like winning individual game is a factor… If anything a couple of extra win could hurt the team since 2 win will likely be the difference between drafting 6th or 10th.

 

[DAChampion]

Dach's wrist injury happened at the WJC, it totally screwed his development.

That didn't answer the question.

 

[Paddy17]

Jesus you're still arguing about the WJC? How long can you people argue over and over about a subject?

 

[DAChampion]

How long can you people argue over and over about a subject?

What are your thoughts on the Roy trade, the Recchi trade, Gainey losing Beauchemin to waivers, drafting Kostitsyn in 2003, Gainey not trading Sourray at the 2007 deadline, George Laraque's honour code, the McDonagh trade, Bergevin hiring Therrien, Lefebvre and Leblanc, the Subban bridge deal, the Weber trade, the Sergachev trade, Lars Eller, Alex Galchenyuk, Jesperi Kotkaniemi, and the Toffoli trade?

 

[the valiant effort]

A game misconduct, 1 half PP shift, and 2 goals for Hoffman, Slaf’s depression will be through the roof tonight