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

[Egresch]

NHL, AHL,… Doesn’t matter. If he doesn’t f*** up off the ice, in the end whatever they do, MSL and HuGo will end up looking like geniuses because he will break out and become a star. You might delay it a bit, but I don’t think you can f*** up Slafkovsky’s development. His size, speed,skill, shot package is already there. Truth is, Therrien and anyone else would also get him there.

I agree, this is about Slaf not really about the coaches. His attitude is just so different, I have not seen a kid like this in 20 years. Probably Marian Hossa is the last one I remember to have such great focus on hockey. He is constantly improving month by month (I watch him 2 years) and he handles the pressure extremely well. Yes, he needs to keep his head up and be 100% aware when on the ice, but he will fix that.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Simply untrue. It crucially matters - reps againt whom?

If a guy has trouble hitting a major league curveball, he won't learn by being sent down down to a league where the curveballs are both less biting and more erratic, and he can get lots of reps against fastballs, and ESPECIALLY where even the fastballs are mostly a bit less fast.

Well said. You don’t temper steel with lower temperatures. As long as a player is not being overwhelmed his development will be accelerated by playing with and against better competition. I don’t think any objective observer would claim that Slafkovsky is being overwhelmed at the NHL level. In fact, I thought he was one of our most physically imposing players against the Sharks. He played a heavy, fast and relentless game. It’s a game and style that we will sorely need against the Flames.

 

[26Mats]

Well said. You don’t temper steel with lower temperatures. As long as a player is not being overwhelmed his development will be accelerated by playing with and against better competition. I don’t think any objective observer would claim that Slafkovsky is being overwhelmed at the NHL level. In fact, I thought he was one of our most physically imposing players against the Sharks. He played a heavy, fast and relentless game. It’s a game and style that we will sorely need against the Flames.

If only this great game he was playing wasn't wasted by being on the 4th line, instead of next to Monahan.

 

[sandviper]

Meh, I think my opinion won’t be popular but I think he’s being developed properly. 4th line minutes and slowly getting more second unit PP time. He wasn‘t going to be the type of player to step right in and contribute right away, as a lot of people seem to expect from 1OVA picks.

Sure, ideally he should go to the AHL to get more ice time and play at a slower pace but Laval is a shit show. I wouldn‘t be surprised if Houle puts him on the bottom-6.

I’d leave things be for now and send him to the WJC if he’s open to it. He’ll be THE guy on the team so I’m guessing he’ll be ok losing out on an NHL salary for a few weeks. Once the WJC are over, all parties can re-evaluate then.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think he should stay on the 4th line all season. I think as we start to move players, he may start creeping up the line-up.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

If only this great game he was playing wasn't wasted by being on the 4th line, instead of next to Monahan.

Can’t disagree. But we have to see this as the long game. What Slafkovsky does this year is not crucial to the long term success of this team. Management is building a new ethos and style for the team that is built on speed, skill and physicality. Xhekaj, Slafkovsky, et al are sending a message to other teams that coming to Montreal is no longer an easy two points, where you can pad your statistics and then go for a smoke meat sandwich. Xhekaj, Slafkovsky and company are going to bang you, crash you and run you over. Everyone can be intimidated. That element of intimidation and resulting hesitation will create time and space for our current and future skillful players: Suzuki, Caufield, Mesar and Hutson. I care little what happens this year, as we are not ready to compete. Who Slafkovsky plays with this year is really not as important or relevant as just letting him play. As I said, we should be playing the long game.

 

[26Mats]

Can’t disagree. But we have to see this as the long game. What Slafkovsky does this year is not crucial to the long term success of this team. Management is building a new ethos and style for the team that is built on speed, skill and physicality. Xhekaj, Slafkovsky, et al are sending a message to other teams that coming to Montreal is no longer an easy two points, where you can pad your statistics and then go for a smoke meat sandwich. Xhekaj, Slafkovsky and company are going to bang you, crash you and run you over. Everyone can be intimidated. That element of intimidation and resulting hesitation will create time and space for our current and future skillful players: Suzuki, Caufield, Mesar and Hutson. I care little what happens this year, as we are not ready to compete. Who Slafkovsky plays with this year is really not as important or relevant as just letting him play. As I said, we should be playing the long game.

I really want us to lose to get one of these great young players that will go at the top of the upcoming draft. But I like the way Slaf is playing. Just want to see what he can with a CV player like Monahan. Not sure what Slaf has to gain playing opposite Pezetta versus Monahan.

 

[BaseballCoach]

You’re wrong, practice makes perfect in every discipline in life. Doesn’t have to be against the the best at the earliest stage in his development possible.

There is literally no risk in sending him down and unnecessary risk from keeping him up. Many prospects have been ruined from rushed development, virtually zero have been ruined by taking the slow, tried and true approach, none. He’s not Crosby or McDavid, he’s going to end up eating supper at the Lindros table if he doesn’t keep his head up. Those habits can be taught in the A where he will have a bit more time to process and the habit will be formed by the time he reaches the big leagues.


In short, I don’t think you have any idea what you are talking about here. We are rushing a kid because he’s too tall for other leagues, it’s a f***ing joke the way he is being used.

I don't claim to know everything, but Martin St. Louis said pretty much the same things, so I am not alone out in left field.

Please don't think sending a guy to the A means concussion risk is gone. Look at Poehling, Kotkaniemi and many others who got concussed or otherwise injured in the A.

Slafkovsky's last collision by the way was his own stupid fault (and not a head shot). What did he think would happen if he charged at high speed into a brick wall?

I do think he could be used a bit more and/or with better linemates, like he was in the 3rd period Tuesday, but in my opinion he is NOT being rushed, but rather the opposite, being fed more challenges quite slowly. As fans we are impatient, myself included, but in the end it is not me getting bonuses for more points, so I'll hope the better usage come soon as he continues to create more offensive chances than most of our other bottom 6 players.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Meh, I think my opinion won’t be popular but I think he’s being developed properly. 4th line minutes and slowly getting more second unit PP time. He wasn‘t going to be the type of player to step right in and contribute right away, as a lot of people seem to expect from 1OVA picks.

Sure, ideally he should go to the AHL to get more ice time and play at a slower pace but Laval is a shit show. I wouldn‘t be surprised if Houle puts him on the bottom-6.

I’d leave things be for now and send him to the WJC if he’s open to it. He’ll be THE guy on the team so I’m guessing he’ll be ok losing out on an NHL salary for a few weeks. Once the WJC are over, all parties can re-evaluate then.

Don’t get me wrong, I don’t think he should stay on the 4th line all season. I think as we start to move players, he may start creeping up the line-up.

I think your opinion lines up with a lot of other fans as we speak right now. Fans who are focused on AHL are going overboard with the development card. Personally, I'd be more open to him playing AHL if there was more talent there. I called that out mid summer or the weeks approaching training camp.

4th line minutes with 2nd PP Unit (NHL)
vs
Top 6F minutes and possibly drowning due to lack of talent (AHL)

AHL narratives are not considering he might struggle without a good center in Laval and then what happens? He tries too much on his own and that's not a foundation of development we want.

 

[FF de Mars]

MSL said the powerplay is a young powerplay and they have to find solutions, basically he begs for changes. 0-6 vs SJ... maybe Salfkovsky on the first wave could be a solution. If he plays 1st wave PP then he can play 4th line for all I care, he'll have more minutes and time to develop, and at his own pace.

 

[Habs Halifax]

MSL said the powerplay is a young powerplay and they have to find solutions, basically he begs for changes. 0-6 vs SJ... maybe Salfkovsky on the first wave could be a solution. If he plays 1st wave PP then he can play 4th line for all I care, he'll have more minutes and time to develop, and at his own pace.

How about Slaf producing a bit more on the 2nd unit before you move him to the 1st unit? This is not the same as the Caufield narrative. Caufield came into the NHL at age 20, not 18.

 

[FF de Mars]

How about Slaf producing a bit more on the 2nd unit before you move him to the 1st unit? This is not the same as the Caufield narrative. Caufield came into the NHL at age 20, not 18.

It's hard to produce on a such disorganised unit with a few seconds of play, with lesser talented teammates. That way he learns at a better pace than if he was playing on the top 6 yet you increase his responsability enough to warrent him a place on the team.

 

[Habs Halifax]

It's hard to produce on a such disorganised unit with a few seconds of play, with lesser talented teammates. That way he learns at a better pace than if he was playing on the top 6 yet you increase his responsability enough to warrent him a place on the team.

Don't look at points. Look at ability to protect the puck and make good puck management decisions. Evaluating him on points in a age 18 season is not the approach we should take.

Let him make gains on the 2nd PP unit. Force MSL hand to move him to 1st unit. Don't spoil the kid and make him earn it

 

[417]

MSL said the powerplay is a young powerplay and they have to find solutions, basically he begs for changes. 0-6 vs SJ... maybe Salfkovsky on the first wave could be a solution. If he plays 1st wave PP then he can play 4th line for all I care, he'll have more minutes and time to develop, and at his own pace.

As long as the Habs don't have an actual PP QB, one who can threaten teams with his shooting, movement and passing, this PP will continue to struggle because the other options (Suzuki & Caufield) are too static and play too predictably.

 

[Habs Halifax]

As long as the Habs don't have an actual PP QB, one who can threaten teams with his shooting, movement and passing, this PP will continue to struggle because the other options (Suzuki & Caufield) are too static and play too predictably.

I think our PP is better than the last few seasons. At least we are gaining possession in the offensive end more and not skating back to our own end multiple times during that 2 min.

I think Matheson is decent. I like what I see so far but he can make risky plays in critical areas. I prefer him to stick with his offensive mind and learn how to live effectively in that world. The min you have a coach that makes an offensive player think about a mistake, you have a coach like Therrien, Julien, Ducharme and players are not playing with confidence or the right energy.

However, you are not wrong... We can use a stud PP QB who is better than Matheson. All I'm saying is our PP is making gains when you compare it to previous years. That was very painful to watch

 

[rik schau]

It’s funny how posters support MSL’s development path for Slaf while simultaneously ridiculing his usage and line mates.

You're not gonna blow me away and tell me you're surprised are you?lol.

 

[26Mats]

As long as the Habs don't have an actual PP QB, one who can threaten teams with his shooting, movement and passing, this PP will continue to struggle because the other options (Suzuki & Caufield) are too static and play too predictably.

I was thinking, maybe Suzuki could be the answer as the PP QB. Yes, he's great on the right half wall. But if he's also great as the QB that may make up for the loss. And then, Slaf could step in and grow into the right half wall role. Put

Dach
Caufield Monahan Slaf
Suzuki

(Dach should be in front of the net if he's not going to shoot, and not the bumper)

 

[BaseballCoach]

I think your opinion lines up with a lot of other fans as we speak right now. Fans who are focused on AHL are going overboard with the development card. Personally, I'd be more open to him playing AHL if there was more talent there. I called that out mid summer or the weeks approaching training camp.

4th line minutes with 2nd PP Unit (NHL)
vs
Top 6F minutes and possibly drowning due to lack of talent (AHL)

AHL narratives are not considering he might struggle without a good center in Laval and then what happens? He tries too much on his own and that's not a foundation of development we want.

He could struggle without a good center, while on the other hand havng more success with moves that won't work in the NHL against better players.

The injury risk is the same, maybe even higher in the AHL where he could be more of a target than in Montreal.

The AHL does not "ruin" prospects, but it usually slows down their development if they are good enough to play in the top-12F or top-6 d.

 

[rik schau]

Eating 90 seconds of the pp is fine if you have Draistl and McDavid. But it’s not when it’s rock bottom. And Pezetta time usage + 21 seconds pp time here + 17 seconds there has to be exceptional for a top prospect.

I do admit that I do more than my share of head-scratching.lol.

 

[417]

I think our PP is better than the last few seasons. At least we are gaining possession in the offensive end more and not skating back to our own end multiple times during that 2 min.

I think Matheson is decent. I like what I see so far but he can make risky plays in critical areas. I prefer him to stick with his offensive mind and learn how to live effectively in that world. The min you have a coach that makes an offensive player think about a mistake, you have a coach like Therrien, Julien, Ducharme and players are not playing with confidence or the right energy.

However, you are not wrong... We can use a stud PP QB who is better than Matheson. All I'm saying is our PP is making gains when you compare it to previous years. That was very painful to watch

Yeah i'm a bit surprised it hasn't been a bit more successful with Matheson given he can move, shoot and pass.

But I still find it painful to watch personally, there's way too much time spent playing along the boards, too many guys picking rims off the boards among other issues.

I was thinking, maybe Suzuki could be the answer as the PP QB. Yes, he's great on the right half wall. But if he's also great as the QB that may make up for the loss. And then, Slaf could step in and grow into the right half wall role. Put

Dach
Caufield Monahan Slaf
Suzuki

(Dach should be in front of the net if he's not going to shoot, and not the bumper)

Potentially he could be an option, i'd rather see him where he is OR as the bumper spot guy.

But if the Habs continue to play Caufield & Suzuki on both flanks, ideally a RHD PP QB would be perfect IMO.

 

[Habs Halifax]

He could struggle without a good center, while on the other hand havng more success with moves that won't work in the NHL against better players.

The injury risk is the same, maybe even higher in the AHL where he could be more of a target than in Montreal.

The AHL does not "ruin" prospects, but it usually slows down their development if they are good enough to play in the top-12F or top-6 d.

Development needs to be managed individually. With Slaf, it's not a physical strength problem. It's a puck management and experience challenge. That can be learned in both the AHL or NHL. Habs are clearly managing the momentum/confidence area and with MSL, he is in the right spot.

I'd be totally opened to AHL if there was better culture and talent there. Especially up the middle

 

[Kennerback]

Development needs to be managed individually. With Slaf, it's not a physical strength problem. It's a puck management and experience challenge. That can be learned in both the AHL or NHL. Habs are clearly managing the momentum/confidence area and with MSL, he is in the right spot.

I'd be totally opened to AHL if there was better culture and talent there. Especially up the middle

I’m not quite sure why the Habs are doing what they’re doing with him in terms of usage. So I don’t want to be too critical. And I don’t think he should get preferential treatment, but it seems to me that they could nudge his time up.

 

[FF de Mars]

I’m not quite sure why the Habs are doing what they’re doing with him in terms of usage. So I don’t want to be too critical. And I don’t think he should get preferential treatment, but it seems to me that they could nudge his time up.

I get what they're doing actually. I see it that way, they take a CIV6 player that has never played Humankind and they make him play at the hardest difficulty because they don't want him to take bad habbits. Remember the article where they said hockey IQ could be acquired through experience? That's exactly what they're doing. This is like the time I taught myself how to play NBA streets 3 on hard mode or when I read Nietzsche then Spinoza cold turkey without attending a class. This is what they call the test of fire! They say the only way to learn is by burning yourself: you make mistakes and you learn. All the puck fumbling, bad passes, being lost on the ice, not releasing the puck right when taking a shot, the extra second you don't have, you can only learn in the NHL, that's their thinking it seems.

 

[Habs Halifax]

I’m not quite sure why the Habs are doing what they’re doing with him in terms of usage. So I don’t want to be too critical. And I don’t think he should get preferential treatment, but it seems to me that they could nudge his time up.

If Bergevin and previous coaches did the same, the narrative would be different with our fans. Go figure eh? I think Gorton/Hughes/MSL know what they are doing. We need to trust them

 

[FF de Mars]

If Bergevin and previous coaches did the same, the narrative would be different with our fans. Go figure eh? I think Gorton/Hughes/MSL know what they are doing. We need to trust them

Doesn't mean we can't nitpick; otherwise where would be the fun in being a fan? Shades of grey. I'm ok with what they're doing but it doesn't mean I wouldn't want Slaf on the first wave of the PP; afterall it is bound to happen, MSL just said it's a long processus, he said those guys haven't been toghether long enough to build chemistry. If you do the math you want Slaf in that equation, maybe after the deadline when they trade Monohan. But if you say a powerplay needs time to build and you have a player like Slaf, it's obvious he's bound for the first wave sooner than later.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Doesn't mean we can't nitpick; otherwise where would be the fun in being a fan? Shades of grey. I'm ok with what they're doing but it doesn't mean I wouldn't want Slaf on the first wave of the PP; afterall it is bound to happen, MSL just said it's a long processus, he said those guys haven't been toghether long enough to build chemistry. If you do the math you want Slaf in that equation, maybe after the deadline when they trade Monohan. But if you say a powerplay needs time to build and you have a player like Slaf, it's obvious he's bound for the first wave sooner than later.

You can nit pick if you want. Feel free but I trust MSL more than I trust myself. No way am I going to act like I know more than him.