Player Discussion The Slaf Thread - Parabolic Growth Edition

morhilane

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Feb 28, 2021
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And cold-starting from an upright dead-stop all the time is jarring on the body unlike being low and in motion. Always has to explode + he has shit balance compared to other big guys on the boards.
The lack of balance is very suspect, that was one of the element why he was rated so high and called an unicorn in his draft year: balance and mobility in tight for his size.
 
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Kennerback

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Posters are complaining about various issues. His anticipation when he doesn’t have the puck and his lack of hustle when he doesn’t have the puck. There’s definite things to improve there.

My main problem is his play with the puck. He doesn’t carry the puck enough between the two blue lines, he doesn’t drive the net and his shooting is the biggest disaster since the Hindenberg.
 

Nicko999

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Jan 23, 2008
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I would accept his lack of production if he was working hard.
He is flat out lazy out there. I don't know if it's the contract but that need to change ASAP.
 

morhilane

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His balance was okay last year though. Not the type of thing to suddenly regress for without an ailment
That's the point, you don't lose balance, mobility and speed without some physical ailment or a big muscle mass loss, but Slaf only removed about 10 lbs.

And losing those elements, which was a big part of his effectiveness, is impacting the rest of his game and his mental.
 

RationalExpectations

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MacKinnon coming off his ELC was looking like a 50 point player and signed a 6 year deal worth 8.63% of the cap. Slafkovsky's contract is at 8.64% of the cap, but is 8 years and that % will actually go down because the cap will increase before it even starts.

Do you not think Colorado kind of wished they had gambled a little more with MacKinnon and given him 8 years, a deal he would still be on this year?
In his 3rd year Galchenyuk was a 20 goal scorer, 46 points, should the Habs have signed him to an 8 year contract then ? ;) as mentioned before it all depends on what he will become.
 

Kennerback

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I get the complaints about the hockey IQ but not everything is. His shooting needs ZERO! intelligence, you just need to do the work. And it’s obvious he hasn’t done f*** all on this in the past year.

I could add driving the net which just needs stickhandling and brute strength and necessitates ZERO! intelligence. Absolutely no progress at all in the area. Either he’s doing no work outside the rink or he’s working on the wrong things. And I could add there seems to be a total lack of supervision from the coaching staff or advisors.
 

Victoire HuGo

Formerly le Barron de HF
Mar 12, 2008
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That's the point, you don't lose balance, mobility and speed without some physical ailment or a big muscle mass loss, but Slaf only removed about 10 lbs.

And losing those elements, which was a big part of his effectiveness, is impacting the rest of his game and his mental.
I think that's a fair evaluation of the take. It's just that some have criticized his balance his entire career
 

Revansky

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Mar 17, 2013
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I thini he's looking a bit better than during the November lull but yeah even when he's racking points, he's not as impactful as the second half of last year. Still feel he's processing things a bit too much and he's a bit late on must plays, makes him really less effective. I feel like it's more about his reads and positioning than his skating but being a bit more explosive and fast would help too. I think he'll either need to simplify his game a bit, get a bit stronger and work on his skating and acceleration or constantly move and have better reads like how Mark Stone was able to develop. Which path he'll choose will determine which kind of offensive ceiling he'll have. Still so young though and shouldn't hit his prime before 23-24 years as a big bodied winger. So i don't mind the gamble and still feel he should be able to get to a point his contract will be worth it.
 
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CHwest

Talent sets the floor, character sets the ceiling.
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To me he seems a little to comfortable with where he is at, needs to be hungrier for success.
 
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morhilane

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Just a thought:
Would Rangers trade former 1st pick Lafreniere, who has 21 pts in 38 games this year, for former 1st pick Slaf, 21 pts in 36 games?
Lafreniere contract, $7.45 million for 7 years
Slaf contract, $7.6 million for 8 years
Thoughts?
You forgot the part where Laf is 3 years older in your proposal.
 

CharleyHorse

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Sep 28, 2022
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He's not fine right now, but I agree with everything else.
I completely agree, he is not fine. The habits he's developed, gliding on his skates, holding the stick with one hand, and being soft as baby's shit along the boards, need to stop. Part of the reason I was excited when Habs drafted him is because he's a big mf. His main role on his line should be to aggressively retrieve pucks in the corners and along the boards and pass them off to CC or NS, and then get his ass in front of the net to screen the net or drive home rebounds. I am not sure it's in MSL to sit him in the pressbox, but maybe having Slaf ride to bench more often when he drifts into suckitude during games might be the answer for now.
 
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Sorinth

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In his 3rd year Galchenyuk was a 20 goal scorer, 46 points, should the Habs have signed him to an 8 year contract then ? ;) as mentioned before it all depends on what he will become.
It's always a risk, but it's a risk worth taking with some players and not others. You seemed to disagree with the principle of signing guys to long term deals who haven't reached their potential and proven that they are stars.

If Slaf was a bad risk to take we probably won't even know until 3-4 years from now.
 

RationalExpectations

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It's always a risk, but it's a risk worth taking with some players and not others. You seemed to disagree with the principle of signing guys to long term deals who haven't reached their potential and proven that they are stars.

If Slaf was a bad risk to take we probably won't even know until 3-4 years from now.

Yes I am more risk averse and would prefer to avoid those risks in most cases. Also if you think in terms of peak, a player is usually peaking somewhere between 24-32, those are the years you want to cover with the big contract. In addition, at 32 the player will be less likely to sign another long term expensive deal than if he were UFA at 29.
Sure a Bridge is a Risk to lose a Player to FA, so not a Perfect Solution either :)
 

rahad

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Feb 3, 2016
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Serious problem? What? If Slaf has 65 pts at 21 AND Demidov is even better at 20 that is a huuuuge win , not a problem lol.
lol are you serious? Your first overall pick on his FOURTH NHL season producing less than a 19 years rookie on his first rookie season is not a problem? I agreed that Demidov is more skilled. But Slaf is going to play with prime Suzuki and Caufield. One the first line and PP1.... Demidov will probably start on the second/third line to start the season. Beyond the point, Slaf is a power forward. I hope we get to see a more physical presence from him.

65pts for a 1ov is okay for you?:laugh:
 
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Sorinth

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lol are you serious? Your first overall pick on his FOURTH NHL season producing less than a 19 years rookie on his first rookie season is not a problem? I agreed that Demidov is more skilled. But Slaf is going to play with prime Suzuki and Caufield. One the first line and PP1.... Demidov will probably start on the second/third line to start the season. Beyond the point, Slaf is a power forward. I hope we get to see a more physical presence from him.

65pts for a 1ov is okay for you?:laugh:
If Demidov comes in and outproduces Suzuki is that also a problem? I mean our captain and #1 center getting outproduced by a 19 year old rookie, surely that's a huge problem right?

Or maybe it's actually not a problem and a huge boon because we've got a 19 year old phenom producing great numbers.
 
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rahad

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MacKinnon in his D+3 and D+4 seasons was a 50 point player and there was lots of talk about being a bust/disappointment for a 1st OA pick. Patience isn't just for 2nd round picks.
A yes! The classic Mackinnon example. I'm surprise you did not also include Jack Hughes. You want to know the big difference between Slaf and Mac? Skating. Mackinnon skating has in the top 5 in the league. Can you name a single skill of Slaf you will put in the top 5-10 in the league?

I never said that Slaf has bursting or anything else. Only that he is having a disappointing season and I hope he take the next step next year. For a 1OV he has a a little bit disappointing.
 
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Jurivan Demidovsky

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A yes! The classic Mackinnon example. I'm surprise you did not also include Jack Hughes. You want to know the big difference between Slaf and Mac? Skating. Mackinnon skating has in the top 5 in the league. Can you name a single skill of Slaf you will put in the top 5-10 in the league?

I never said that Slaf has bursting or anything else. Only that he is having a disappointing season and I hope he take the next step next year. For a 1OV he has a a little bit disappointing.
Slaf is more like Radulov when hes at his best
 
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Sorinth

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A yes! The classic Mackinnon example. I'm surprise you did not also include Jack Hughes. You want to know the big difference between Slaf and Mac? Skating. Mackinnon skating has in the top 5 in the league. Can you name a single skill of Slaf you will put in the top 5-10 in the league?

I never said that Slaf has bursting or anything else. Only that he is having a disappointing season and I hope he take the next step next year. For a 1OV he has a a little bit disappointing.
I mean if you don't think the MacKinnon example applies, then just go back to the OP where a ton of other players were used as comparisons. Or check out @Erika 's post that showed a bunch of other recent high picks who have put up similar or worse numbers then Slaf.
 

Captain97

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Not too early no, if he progresses to a 65 point big body forward he's worth the contract. If he stagnated at 50-55 points he's only slightly overpaid given the rising cap.

Super low risk with a high reward.

I think he'll be a 75-80 point forward. People forget this season is the age Suzuki and Caufield played their rookie seasons. He's got a few years before he hits his prime.
 
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rahad

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If Demidov comes in and outproduces Suzuki is that also a problem? I mean our captain and #1 center getting outproduced by a 19 year old rookie, surely that's a huge problem right?

Or maybe it's actually not a problem and a huge boon because we've got a 19 year old phenom producing great numbers.
Phenom? If Demidov can outproduce Suzuki(most playtime + most PP1) by playing with DACH. I will call him the next McDavid lol. When you draft 1ov are you not suppose to have a phenomenal prospect? I don't believe you understand by original comment.

If Slaf produce 60 pts by playing with Suzuki/Caufield and PP1 and Demidov come to the league and produce 70pts (in his first season). Are you not going to be disappointing with Slaf? Your 1OV pick? Is it not going to be a problem that your 1ov did not progress in his fourth NHL season?
 

SlafySZN

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Phenom? If Demidov can outproduce Suzuki(most playtime + most PP1) by playing with DACH. I will call him the next McDavid lol. When you draft 1ov are you not suppose to have a phenomenal prospect? I don't believe you understand by original comment.

If Slaf produce 60 pts by playing with Suzuki/Caufield and PP1 and Demidov come to the league and produce 70pts (in his first season). Are you not going to be disappointing with Slaf? Your 1OV pick? Is it not going to be a problem that your 1ov did not progress in his fourth NHL season?
No?

They’re not at all the same type of player.
 
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