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

[MTL Dirty Birdy]

I think I would prefer Slaf with Monahan and Anderson. In fact I would be really excited about a line of Slaf-Monahan-Dach, if the coming draft can get us a first line player who will click with Suzuki and Caufield. That would be two amazing young top lines.

But for now, being on an essentially third line with Dvorak and Gallagher is still better than where he was before, alongside offensive black holes.

The cycle game of that Slaf line would be devastating

 

[MarkovsKnee]

Beast mode tonight. Looks much stronger on his skates compared to the start of the season. Puck is following him. Little more selfishness would do him some good.


There is no way someone actually said he was dragging down Evans without joking

There's actual statistical evidence out there that Evans plays better without Slafkovsky on his line. Not sure he and Slaf are a fit. Slaf wants to cycle while Evans is more quick transition. His best moments are with other speedsters on his line.

 

[Sorinth]

He was sent back to the Q which is even worst, they should have left him in the NCAA. But ultimately Louis Leblanc wasn't a very good prospect.

Doesn't matter though, the claim is it never hurt a single player ever. Just pointing out that statement isn't true.

 

[BaseballCoach]

I mean he’s got 6 points in 18 nhl games. He’s clearly too good for the AHL

Personally, I do not say that Slaf is "too good for the AHL". I doubt he would lead the A in scoring for example. What I do say is that if he spends a year in Montreal and gets up to 12 minutes per night, he will be further ahead in readiness for the next level in October 2023, than if he plays the season in Laval.

Guys who go to the AHL and then graduate still start at the bottom of the Lineup to work their way up, so while this may not "ruin" him, it absolutely slows development.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Before tonight's 1st period goal, Slaf was 4th on the team in goals per 60 minutes and 6th on the team in points per 60 minutes. Not too shabby for an 18 year old playing mostly on 3rd and 4th line.

After tonight's game, Slafkovsky is 4th among our 15 forwards in goals per 60 minutes and 6th in points per 60 minutes.

I'd love to see him stay with Monahan and Anderson for a while. If Gallagher returns, he can take his usual spot and move Armia to play with Evans and Pezzetta. If/when Hoffman returns too, play him with Dvo and Gally, and put Dadonov in Pezzetta's spot.

 

[HuGort]

A lot of size on Monahan, Anderson, Slaf line. Hard for D to deal with.

 

[BaseballCoach]

A lot of size on Monahan, Anderson, Slaf line. Hard for D to deal with.

Size yep, plus above average skill and above average speed. I like the line, and have been hoping/asking to see it for a while. I think it makes good sense.

Also notice how Slafkovsky finds it much easier to work the boards in his own zone on the left side than on his wrong wing.

Also notice how the first line has been a minus line at ES lately with the undersized Caufield playing the wrong wing.

 

[26Mats]

A lot of size on Monahan, Anderson, Slaf line. Hard for D to deal with.

Who could have possibly predicted that?

 

[Sasha Orlov]

You can’t cite a single case where someone’s development was “slowed” down because of time in the AHL. The injury risk is greater in the NHL, it’s the fastest, least time and space league in the world AINEC.

I agree with you but the bolded is quite literally an impossible task lol

 

[KevSkillz4]

Best player of 2022 draft by far. No one in this draft have his tools. He don't have just tools, he have all things to succeed. He is strong, great skating, he is big, he have high hockey IQ, on PP we all see his high passing ability, no one in Habs team pass like him on PP (Suzuki is a amazing playmaker, but Slafkovsky passes on PP are sooo fun to watch). This guy is a 1st line quality type of player, we already see that at 18 years old. He is going to dominate in this league!!

Great work by Habs management, scouts to draft this beast

 

[Habs Halifax]

Jesus Slaf! Wow

Love how MSL is managing him. He's getting bits and grabs of opportunity as he gains more confidence. Definitely his best game and I'm sure it's a factor of him playing higher in the line-up. He rose to the occasion and I like this. Good sign.

I think Habs should do like Seattle has done with Wright, and send him down to AHL.

Bad timing for that post eh? How do you feel today?

Who could have possibly predicted that?

You were asking for it and you got it. And he played better. It was only a matter of time and sometimes it's the right time. Appears it was last night after the Gallagher injury

His puck management in terms of making the right play or keeping the puck on his stick was very good last night. It's been two months in the NHL and he has clearly made gains. Good stuff.

 

[Cournoyer12]

Louis Leblanc busted in large part because he got sent back to the AHL.

Good point, Nikita Scherbek also comes to mind.

Best player of 2022 draft by far. No one in this draft have his tools. He don't have just tools, he have all things to succeed. He is strong, great skating, he is big, he have high hockey IQ, on PP we all see his high passing ability, no one in Habs team pass like him on PP (Suzuki is a amazing playmaker, but Slafkovsky passes on PP are sooo fun to watch). This guy is a 1st line quality type of player, we already see that at 18 years old. He is going to dominate in this league!!

Great work by Habs management, scouts to draft this beast

Also getting better in his own zone, so much swagger for this kid!!!

 

[26Mats]

Love how MSL is managing him. He's getting bits and grabs of opportunity as he gains more confidence. Definitely his best game and I'm sure it's a factor of him playing higher in the line-up. He rose to the occasion and I like this. Good sign.



Bad timing for that post eh? How do you feel today?



You were asking for and you got it. And he played better. It was only a matter of time and sometimes it's the right time. Appears it was last night after the Gallagher injury

His puck management in terms of making the right play or keeping the puck on his stick was very good last night. It's been two months in the NHL and he has clearly made gains. Good stuff.

Just to note, I wasn't refering to myself when I said who could have predicted that a Slaf Monahan Anderson trio would be a big physical line that would be hard for the opposition to handle down low. I was referring to common sense based on their collective size and skill sets, and to the legion of fans who have been clamoring for Slaf to play with Monahan.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Louis Leblanc busted in large part because he got sent back to the AHL.

Leblanc busted cause he didn't work hard enough to overcome the development challenges. You can't teach obsession to improve. You either have it or you don't. Some have it and then some others are just obsessed to get better (Suzuki for example).

What are we complaining about? We could have developed Leblanc into a 4th liner?

 

[BaseballCoach]

Somebody tell me once again why Slaf belongs in Laval?

So that the people who wanted him there to start don't have to admit that it might not have been necessary.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Just to note, I wasn't refering to myself when I said who could have predicted that a Slaf Monahan Anderson trio would be a big physical line that would be hard for the opposition to handle down low. I was referring to common sense based on their collective size and skill sets, and to the legion of fans who have been clamoring for Slaf to play with Monahan.

The area you and others may be overlooking is modest growth and controlled opportunity as he performs and works through the challenges of playing in the NHL at age 18. MSL likely talked to him yesterday and said... You got two months in the NHL now and this is your chance to take all the things in you learned and what we are showing you and step up to the challenge.

It's a process for the 18 year old kid
Bottom 6 ice time (mostly 4th line) with no PP time.
to
Bottom 6 ice time (mostly 4th line) with 2nd unit PP time.
to
Opportunity to play with Monahan and Anderson due to Gallagher injury and PP time.
to
What's the next nit pick? Move him to 1st PP unit?

You and others wanted it earlier. MSL decides when. Said it before and will say it again... I trust MSL more than I trust myself.

Here is a question... Can Slaf creep into the rookie of the year conversation? Still lots of hockey left this season. Looks like Berniers is the front runner. Wondering how things start looking as teams tighten up. All it takes sometimes is for Slaf to have a few games where he has multi point games and that gap closes.

Great motivation for Slaf is for MSL to say... Do you want Rookie of the year?

 

[BaseballCoach]

Good point, Nikita Scherbek also comes to mind.


Also getting better in his own zone, so much swagger for this kid!!!

Working the boards in your own zone is easier for most guys on their strong side.

 

[26Mats]

The area you and others may be overlooking is modest growth and controlled opportunity as he performs and works through the challenges of playing in the NHL at age 18. MSL likely talked to him yesterday and said... You got two months in the NHL now and this is your chance to take all the things in you learned and what we are showing you and step up to the challenge.

It's a process for the 18 year old kid
Bottom 6 ice time (mostly 4th line) with no PP time.
to
Bottom 6 ice time (mostly 4th line) with 2nd unit PP time.
to
Opportunity to play with Monahan and Anderson due to Gallagher injury and PP time.
to
What's the next nit pick? Move him to 1st PP unit?

You and others wanted it earlier. MSL decides when. Said it before and will say it again... I trust MSL more than I trust myself.

Here is a question... Can Slaf creep into the rookie of the year conversation? Still lots of hockey left this season

Well since you asked, I wouldn't mind seeing the following pp1:

Dach
Caufield Nonahan Skaf
Suzuki

(But the may be too risky defensively, so maybe Guhle, Xhekaj, or Harris plays top of the diamond and Suzuki bumps Slaf back to pp2).

Other not pick, if Anderson can't keep up with Money and Skaf, I would love to see Dvorak or Evans with them. But I heard Andy was good last night.

 

[Habs Halifax]

Well since you asked, I wouldn't mind seeing the following pp1:

Dach
Caufield Nonahan Skaf
Suzuki

(But the may be too risky defensively, so maybe Guhle, Xhekaj, or Harris plays top of the diamond and Suzuki bumps Slaf back to pp2).

Other not pick, if Anderson can't keep up with Money and Skaf, I would love to see Dvorak or Evans with them. But I heard Andy was good last night.

I'm OK with nit picking as long as it don't become a distraction and it gets aggressive. It's good to talk these things with fans as long as we are reasonable and we don't try to throw MSL under the bus.

I would leave Anderson with them. Dvorak and Evans can't do what Anderson can do. Flaws yes but Anderson is getting attacked and we need to let him play

Just to note, I wasn't refering to myself when I said who could have predicted that a Slaf Monahan Anderson trio would be a big physical line that would be hard for the opposition to handle down low. I was referring to common sense based on their collective size and skill sets, and to the legion of fans who have been clamoring for Slaf to play with Monahan.

The other angle to this is extra energy Slaf would have knowing he is playing with better players.

 

[WeThreeKings]

You'd have to be blind at this point to not see what he could become.

His progression is awesome. He's making so many plays by easily pulling the puck off the boards, using his body and being in position to make a pass, shot or keep the cycle going.

 

[jcbio11]

I agree that Montreal is handling him well. Yes, watching him get limited ice time might be frustrating for his fans, but he's an 18 year old playing his first NHL season. Those minutes with some looks on the PP seem about right atm. Who's to say he won't be playing second line minutes by the 50 game mark? I think if he can handle it, he'll get it.

You'd have to be blind at this point to not see what he could become.

His progression is awesome. He's making so many plays by easily pulling the puck off the boards, using his body and being in position to make a pass, shot or keep the cycle going.

It's almost like the professional scouting staff of an NHL team with all the insider information that comes with the job know better than the HFboards hivemind.

 

[Andy]

He has almost as many goals and points as Kakko has this season.

 

[KevSkillz4]

You'd have to be blind at this point to not see what he could become.

His progression is awesome. He's making so many plays by easily pulling the puck off the boards, using his body and being in position to make a pass, shot or keep the cycle going.

He looks like a futur star type of player when we see all his tools and talent. On PP, his passing ability is truly impressive, no one on Habs team passe like he pass on PP (Suzuki the best playmaker in this team but Slaf on PP with his passes looks unique, no one passe like that).

He don't going to fail like KK and Galchenyuk, this guy have so much better hockey IQ than both, better skating ability, better physical attribute, he don't need his "dad" to help him, 14 years old in appartement, that's more than mature. This guy is a stud, beast and he is very good at defensive zone too, he is going to be a physical two-way beast.

 

[Habs Halifax]

A lot of size on Monahan, Anderson, Slaf line. Hard for D to deal with.

Size and skating combo is deadly. When big boys that skate well get a step on you, good luck

He has almost as many goals and points as Kakko has this season.

Imagine if Slaf ends up better than Suzuki, Caufield, Dach, Guhle? Premature thinking but you never know.

 

[Andy]

Size and skating combo is deadly. When big boys that skate well get a step on you, good luck



Imagine if Slaf ends up better than Suzuki, Caufield, Dach, Guhle? Premature thinking but you never know.

For me, the great sign is that he's already so physically strong as an 18 year old. He will only get stronger as he ages. When you add his skill level to that strength, you can see why scouts were excited.

Just look at how much stronger he's gotten from game 1 in October.