Development Camp 2022 (July 10th-13th)

[GobigorGohome]

Chisholm is a great skater for 6’5”.

People on here and Twitter think he is a joke and shouldn’t be here.

Could be. Nick Paul type player 4th liner that can skate and is huge

 

[waffledave]

What hot takes? He looked good on day one but he literally didnt even land a single offensive play today? Its fine, it was high paced and not his game. We dont have to lie to ourselves and create unrealistic expectations.

To be good at puck protection, your puck protection has to lead you somewhere. He got boxed out a lot and thats why he couldn't get anything going today.

I know it's just scrimmage but I have said it before, many times. He struggles with pace, he's not a quick mover or a quick thinker, and this is going to be the main thing he needs to work on to really make his style work in the NHL. The pros he'll be playing against are big, many are as big as him or even bigger. They are coached to box people out on the boards, and it's going to take a lot of explosiveness and quickness for Slaf to navigate around that. If he just tries these long possession plays on the boards before taking it to open ice he will not be able to do anything, he'll get stifled. A guy like Armia never could, which is why he looks like a god on the boards but can't do a single thing offensively. Slaf's physical gifts by themselves aren't going to be enough in the NHL.

 

[calder candidate]

For now, let him develop as a Defenseman.

Hutson is a D I wouldn’t move… but looking at guys like Beaulieu or Poirier to me those guy weren’t D they just play D in Jr because the have NHL skills but all those strength translate better to being a winger than a D at the NHL level.

 

[Wats]

What does Streit and Subban have to do with this? They are nowhere near as small as Hutson. Let me guess, you think you can have undersized D and still win a cup?

Let Hutson develop as a defenseman but do we really think he will turn the needle in our own end in the playoffs if we are a contender down the road?

The next Krug? We will see. Until then, let him develop but after he turns pro and possibly struggles with dealing with bigger forwards in the NHL, it's something to consider if his skating/skill if off the charts. He can still play PP QB but forward at 5/5.

Streit (Habs actually did it) and Subban were also talked about to converting to W. I think you need a ton of skill to win a cup and this organization has only started to add it back.

Undersized defensmen can/have been on cup winning teams. Players just need to be good, being undersized on defense doesn't mean you can't win a cup. You are getting way ahead of yourself, but if Hutson makes the NHL, there shouldn't be any issues about contending with him on the roster if he's good.

 

[Adam Michaels]

What about Roy and Mysak

Mysak is not at the camp. He's off to Czech's camp before the WJC in August.

 

[Mrb1p]

I know it's just scrimmage but I have said it before, many times. He struggles with pace, he's not a quick mover or a quick thinker, and this is going to be the main thing he needs to work on to really make his style work in the NHL. The pros he'll be playing against are big, many are as big as him or even bigger. They are coached to box people out on the boards, and it's going to take a lot of explosiveness and quickness for Slaf to navigate around that. If he just tries these long possession plays on the boards before taking it to open ice he will not be able to do anything, he'll get stifled. A guy like Armia never could, which is why he looks like a god on the boards but can't do a single thing offensively. Slaf's physical gifts by themselves aren't going to be enough in the NHL.

Don't say it too loud the pitchforks will be after you.

Juulsen, too


It's not unheard of either. Ryan Ellis was drafted at 5'9" and did mighty fine (now listed at 5'10), Spurgeon is still 5'9", Krug is still 5'9"... The list isn't 60 deep, but it's no empty either.

Plus, that's discounting the whole medical context around Hutson which could see him gain an inch or three in the coming years.

Mon beau Noah

 

[Wats]

I know it's just scrimmage but I have said it before, many times. He struggles with pace, he's not a quick mover or a quick thinker, and this is going to be the main thing he needs to work on to really make his style work in the NHL. The pros he'll be playing against are big, many are as big as him or even bigger. They are coached to box people out on the boards, and it's going to take a lot of explosiveness and quickness for Slaf to navigate around that. If he just tries these long possession plays on the boards before taking it to open ice he will not be able to do anything, he'll get stifled. A guy like Armia never could, which is why he looks like a god on the boards but can't do a single thing offensively. Slaf's physical gifts by themselves aren't going to be enough in the NHL.

This is what I get from his highlights too. His release is good but he's kinda slow with puck. Really worried he'll get destroyed with huge hit with some of the highlights of him entering zone protecting the puck to get to a place where he can do something with it. Obviously, he could get better and probably will. But it's another reason why I hope he starts in AHL.

 

[waffledave]

Don't say it too loud the pitchforks will be after you.

I mean, this was the criticism in all of his scouting reports, all the videos, everything... They were posted here, it shouldn't be news to anyone. I am honestly baffled by some of the takes here comparing him to Svechnikov (???), Jagr (???), Rantanen (???)... Like nobody ever compared him to these players prior to the draft. It's like they look at his size, see he's European, and assume he must be like other big Euro wingers.

 

[Adam Michaels]

I mean, this was the criticism in all of his scouting reports, all the videos, everything... They were posted here, it shouldn't be news to anyone. I am honestly baffled by some of the takes here comparing him to Svechnikov (???), Jagr (???), Rantanen (???)... Like nobody ever compared him to these players prior to the draft. It's like they look at his size, see he's European, and assume he must be like other big Euro wingers.

And from all accounts, the Habs drilled him during the interview at the combine about the warts in his game. They did with Wright, as well. But according to MA Godin, the way he reacted to those comments and the replies he gave were much more impressive than Wright.

Slaf was accepting that his game has warts and he agreed on things they showed him and that he needs to improve on and can see the Habs help him improve on them. And there were other things he didn't agree with and was able to explain why.

Hughes also said before the draft that they're not looking to draft the best 18-year old. But they're looking to draft the guy they think will be the best at 23-24-25 years old. So they will work with Slaf. And Slaf will be able to learn things on his own when he actually gets in the games.

 

[GobigorGohome]

By skating around them, moving the puck before they arrive, pokechecking... You know.. the same way Gretzky dealt with all these "big bodies"

Gretzky had a 10 foot Untouchable zone enforced by Giants like Smenko etc The odd time he got hit he cried like a frikkin baby

 

[Adam Michaels]

 

[Kennerback]

Gretzky had a 10 foot Untouchable zone enforced by Giants like Smenko etc The odd time he got hit he cried like a frikkin baby

He was also extremely hard to hit. He would slip checks and was elusive. I believe it was Potvin that said “trying to hit him was like trying to grab air.”

 

[BenchBrawl]

Gretzky would have struggled more in the O6 era where defenses and goalies were much stronger than in the early 80's. He would eventually have become a big star but he would never have been allowed to play so poorly on defense, or to get away with such a total lack of self-protection.

 

[Justin11]

I see some are getting overly excited 2nd day of the development camp - I get it, new toys.
I strongly suggest to temper your expectations.

For the ones that love what they see from Slaf, wait until you see what's on next year's menu in the draft.

 

[Kennerback]

Gretzky would have struggled more in the O6 era where defenses and goalies were much stronger than in the early 80's. He would eventually have become a big star but he would never have been allowed to play so poorly on defense, or to get away with such a total lack of self-protection.

He started playing behind the net as a substitute to standing in the slot where he kept being knocked down.

 

[waffledave]

And from all accounts, the Habs drilled him during the interview at the combine about the warts in his game. They did with Wright, as well. But according to MA Godin, the way he reacted to those comments and the replies he gave were much more impressive than Wright.

Slaf was accepting that his game has warts and he agreed on things they showed him and that he needs to improve on and can see the Habs help him improve on them. And there were other things he didn't agree with and was able to explain why.

Hughes also said before the draft that they're not looking to draft the best 18-year old. But they're looking to draft the guy they think will be the best at 23-24-25 years old. So they will work with Slaf. And Slaf will be able to learn things on his own when he actually gets in the games.

That's fine, I don't think I ever disputed any of that. We are just talking about how his performance today showed some of the weaknesses in his game that were pointed out by many on this board and in scouting reports. I can't be anything but hopeful that he is coachable and able to improve.

 

[BenchBrawl]

He started playing being the net as a substitute to standing in the slot where he kept being knocked down.

Gretzky was the smartest player in the offensive zone that ever lived. But it's still a fact that the early 80s was the worst era of all-time in terms of goalies, and defenses were very bad. The league was watered down and that's why offense exploded. High offensive league is a sign of a weak league, not quality, despite many thinking the opposite. If he had played in 1955-1967 some things he did wouldn't have passed muster. His coaches would not have allowed him to be so weak defensively. Quality of depth players was much higher and level of play too.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Gretzky would have struggled more in the O6 era where defenses and goalies were much stronger than in the early 80's. He would eventually have become a big star but he would never have been allowed to play so poorly on defense, or to get away with such a total lack of self-protection.

You're literally talking about The Great One here. He would have been The Great One in any era.

 

[Kennerback]

Gretzky was the smartest player in the offensive zone that ever lived. But it's still a fact that the early 80s was the worst era of all-time in terms of goalies, and defenses were very bad. The league was watered down. If he had played in 1955-1967 some things he did wouldn't have passed muster. His coaches would not have allowed him to be so weak defensively. Quality of depth players was much higher and level of play too.

He didn’t have a one-timer but goalies only started playing butterfly a few years later. They didn’t care about his weak defensive play because of the cost benefit ratio that he scored so much it didn’t matter. His first coach at the Soo Greyhounds tried unsuccessfully to change his game to play more physical and defensive. But even back then the only guy that got away playing that way was Gretzky.

 

[BenchBrawl]

You're literally talking about The Great One here. He would have been The Great One in any era.

He would have been great but he wouldn't have been allowed to play like he did to the same extent, which ultimately would have made him a better player. Gretzky in his 30's produced but never matured his game. He was just a weaker replica of his young self. That's not a good maturation. Same is true of Mario Lemieux.

Compare that to Jean Béliveau or Sidney Crosby, who became complete players in their 30's.

 

[NotProkofievian]

He would have been great but he wouldn't have been allowed to play like he did to the same extent, which ultimately would have made him a better player. Gretzky in his 30's produced but never matured his game. He was just a weaker replica of his young self. That's not a good maturation. Same is true of Mario Lemieux.

Compare that to Jean Béliveau or Sidney Crosby, who became complete players in their 30's.

You can compare Gretzky to any player you like, he's still The Great One, and they're not.

 

[peto10]

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

What does Streit and Subban have to do with this? They are nowhere near as small as Hutson. Let me guess, you think you can have undersized D and still win a cup?

Let Hutson develop as a defenseman but do we really think he will turn the needle in our own end in the playoffs if we are a contender down the road?

The next Krug? We will see. Until then, let him develop but after he turns pro and possibly struggles with dealing with bigger forwards in the NHL, it's something to consider if his skating/skill if off the charts. He can still play PP QB but forward at 5/5.

Now where would we be getting that idea from?

 

[Nedved]

I feel nausea every time I watch clips of Wright at his development camp. Bad feeling.

 

[Adam Michaels]