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

[HostileCapSpace]

Is it only me, but does Brown look like he soiled himself when he saw the Costco Comet barreling toward him?

Okay, was getting tired of the Costco thing but Costco Comet legit made me laugh. Well done.

 

[waitin425]

Because he scored a goal against an AHL team?

Arizona sucks...but that "AHL" team also beat the Leafs. I don't think it diminishes Slaf's game one bit. He played well.

 

[morhilane]

As George Laraque said on Tomy Marinaro's podcast, Slaf needs to start using his body more to make space and protect himself.

I know it's not his style, but I would like to see him more involved and use more body check in the match.

BTW, GL proposed in the podcast to give MR.X a free boxing lesson, which I think is a good option.

People want to Slaf to do more body checks, but he's 2nd in hits per 60 minutes on the team (68th league wide).

 

[Habs Halifax]

First I thought Brown said something to Slaf (after scoring his 1st goal). However, it looks like Costo Comet said something to Brown first and then Slaf said F off

 

[Habs Halifax]

Arizona sucks...but that "AHL" team also beat the Leafs. I don't think it diminishes Slaf's game one bit. He played well.

How in the world did the Leafs only score 2 goals against the Coyotes at home! Next 5 games are on the road for them. Image if they lost last night heading into the road trip. Panic city

 

[waitin425]

How in the world did the Leafs only score 2 goals against the Coyotes at home! Next 5 games are on the road for them. Image if they lost last night heading into the road trip. Panic city

They don't look good. Matthews hasn't got hot yet, so that could change....but these 5 games will tell a lot for them. If they go 1-4 or something....Keefe goes bye bye

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Writing thousands of posts worded differently about the same flawed argument isnt for discussion purpose, thats trolling.

To be fair… didn’t a lot of people think that about you when you were arguing against Wright?

People are entitled to their own opinions. They may not be popular but they’re free to express them.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

The thing that kills me the most from lurking this thread, is most of the people who want Slaf to go down to the AHL/OHL, claim they are not haters, but come up with an avalanche of passive-aggressive comments that show how they really feel.

I’m not a hater.

I’d prefer he’d have started in the minors. He’d get more ice there and could dominate. That’s not a bad thing.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Watched this kid all last year & absolutely adored him. Great game. Great personality. Man, this team has personality again. Love it.

I like him. Sweet that he gets his first early.

 

[Habs Halifax]

They don't look good. Matthews hasn't got hot yet, so that could change....but these 5 games will tell a lot for them. If they go 1-4 or something....Keefe goes bye bye

If they run into goalie and D issues, it will be difficult to overcome and their style of play will be altered. Still lots there to win games but it could snow ball on them.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

If and I cringe just typing this. Bergevin and the boys were still running things. I'd have a totally different view of things. Seeing how MSL has reacted to how our young players have played so far is refreshing.

For example, MSL was asked how he felt about Xhekaj making a hit, deep in the opposition zone. He laughed and said that maybe he went in a little deep. Previous Habs coaches would have stapled his ass to the bench. MSL lets them play, while helping them learn from their mistakes.

MSL is great. And I trust our mgmt way more than in the past. I’d still prefer he’d started in the minors but he’s not going to get ruined starting in the NHL.

If the old crew were here? No!

 

[Habs10Habs]

MSL is great. And I trust our mgmt way more than in the past. I’d still prefer he’d started in the minors but he’s not going to get ruined starting in the NHL.

If the old crew were here? No!

Haha if the old crew were still here. You'd probably hear me screaming all the way from Ontario for him to be sent down.

Personally, I think it still may come to that. So I'm definitely flexible to the idea of Slaf being sent down. The only reason I stated keeping him with the Habs is I like the progress he's made so far. If the progress doesn't continue, or he faulters in anyway. I'd be fine with him being sent down.

 

[Trabdy2]

Happy to see him get his first. He seemed to be more engaged and playing with more confidence yesterday. Hoping to see him carry it forward into the next game.

 

[SOLR]

Arizona sucks...but that "AHL" team also beat the Leafs. I don't think it diminishes Slaf's game one bit. He played well.

They won't beat the leaf after 10 games, first 5-10 games are always flukey.

 

[nhlfan9191]

I’m not a hater.

I’d prefer he’d have started in the minors. He’d get more ice there and could dominate. That’s not a bad thing.

It seems some fans want to divide the fanbase with Slafkovsky. Not only on HF, but everywhere I go it seems people are either way to critical of Slafkovsky or super fans where he can’t do know wrong and he’s entitled to things he hasn’t earned. The fans in the middle are the ones that suffer because they get thrown into one of these groups whenever they say something either good or critical about his play and it’s frustrating.

 

[HabsForHire]

Anyone's opinions change after last night? Up or Down for Slaf?

Any softening of stances?

I'm good with him staying at this point and learning the game in the show. In Marty we trust.

I still say down, 1 goal and game won't change my mind. He's been playing better as of late but 4th line is brutal

 

[Wats]

The thing that kills me the most from lurking this thread, is most of the people who want Slaf to go down to the AHL/OHL, claim they are not haters, but come up with an avalanche of passive-aggressive comments that show how they really feel.

Thing that gets me is people assuming being sent to AHL to develop, like MANY stars before him, is somehow bad. Say Habs do send him down, are you going to act like they are ruining him? 2 big boy picks were sent down in their draft+1 after being mediocre in their NHL stint Draisaitl and Rantanen. Somehow I'm supposed to believe Slafkovsky too good to do the same as those guys and a hater now? Meanwhile we have to be happy with trying the Galchenyuk/Kotkaniemi path with yet another top 3 pick because it's a different player.

 

[BLONG7]

Funny thing is that both are pretty fair players beyond their pugilistic skills. But the Costco Comet plays the more challenging position and as he showed in Hamilton last season, he is only at the beginning of his ascendency. Elite size, toughness, adequate mobility, offensive vision and leadership skills, this kid will be a core player for the team for the next decade.

As his legend grows, (warranted or otherwise), you may see a recreation of the Philly Flu in Montreal as some less valorous opposing players develop mysterious illnesses before Montreal games. Scientists may call it: the Montreal Malaise.

You can bet that every NHL player has now seen Xhekaj’s dismantling of Kassian. It reminded me of John Ferguson’s destruction of Ted Green in the playoffs in the 1960s. It was designed and calculated to intimidate the opponent . It worked. The Bruins, as a team, never recovered. Xhekaj sent a message. If anything, it bought him a split second more time when he goes into the corner for a put. Intimidation is real. It causes opponents to hesitate. That was the real result of lasts night’s destruction of a hapless opponent. It will take a brave soul to challenge this beast of a player. Some players create time and space with their speed and skill and some with their physical play and reputation.

Hey Chester, do you think The Costco Comet could become a version of Larry Robinson?? Wishful thinking on my part maybe...

Thing that gets me is people assuming being sent to AHL to develop, like MANY stars before him, is somehow bad. Say Habs do send him down, are you going to act like they are ruining him? 2 big boy picks were sent down in their draft+1 after being mediocre in their NHL stint Draisaitl and Rantanen. Somehow I'm supposed to believe Slafkovsky too good to do the same as those guys and a hater now? Meanwhile we have to be happy with trying the Galchenyuk/Kotkaniemi path with yet another top 3 pick because it's a different player.

Sending Slaf down is a real possibility for me, and then seeing how he handles that, and then returns when more ready.
That said, would love to see him go on a run of scoring and setting up others and staying...

 

[Kennerback]

It seems some fans want to divide the fanbase with Slafkovsky. Not only on HF, but everywhere I go it seems people are either way to critical of Slafkovsky or super fans where he can’t do know wrong and he’s entitled to things he hasn’t earned. The fans in the middle are the ones that suffer because they get thrown into one of these groups whenever they say something either good or critical about his play and it’s frustrating.

These posters prey on the ignorance of fans of the significance of stats in Top Euro men’s leagues.

 

[Justsayin]

I’m not a hater.

I’d prefer he’d have started in the minors. He’d get more ice there and could dominate. That’s not a bad thing.

I think he should go to the A for a while as well. And I think he likely will if only for part of the season.

But I think this discussion gets conflated sometimes with the argument about whether he should have been picked 1OA or not. Then disingenuous statements are made by either side of that debate and things go sideways from there.

 

[Kennerback]

Happy to see him get his first. He seemed to be more engaged and playing with more confidence yesterday. Hoping to see him carry it forward into the next game.

I think he is no shrinking violet and doesn’t need his ego massaged. He’ll do great.

 

[Kennerback]

I like him. Sweet that he gets his first early.

He’s on a 16 goals pace same as McDavid his draft year.

 

[le_sean]

Anyone's opinions change after last night? Up or Down for Slaf?

Any softening of stances?

I'm good with him staying at this point and learning the game in the show. In Marty we trust.

He still needs to go down IMO. I’d like him to follow a similar path to Rantanen. Laval has a really good team as well so it’s not like he’d be in a dire situation.

 

[Kennerback]

He still needs to go down IMO. I’d like him to follow a similar path to Rantanen. Laval has a really good team as well so it’s not like he’d be in a dire situation.

Rantanen was a total weakling getting ragdolled and didn’t get a point during his 9 game stint.

 

[No More Subban]

As George Laraque said on Tomy Marinaro's podcast, Slaf needs to start using his body more to make space and protect himself.

I know it's not his style, but I would like to see him more involved and use more body check in the match.

BTW, GL proposed in the podcast to give MR.X a free boxing lesson, which I think is a good option.

I think they're asking Slaf to simplify his game for now. Not to do too much. Just have a feel for the (north american) game. He will improve eventually and naturally. I trust this process.