Player Discussion Emil Heineman

[Shutdown]

Assuming I was insulted because I simply just responded with a post that countered yours? Lol. Ok.

Heineman IS *currently* better in all aspects of hockey than Slaf right now. I said it *could* just be because he is a few years older and I hope that Slaf continues to develop. Right now he is a significantly worse skater, non existent shot threat, usually a step behind the play, less hustle and effort, more giveaways etc. I could go on. What's insane is turning a blind eye to it just because he is a big body and a shiny first pick. Slafkovsky is currently better on the power play and being fortunate enough to play it with Suzuki / Hutson / Laine, collecting secondary assists on Laine's perfect shot. That's about it.

You called it an "insane take" and tried to dismiss what Heineman is doing because it's vs 3rd and 4th liners. What did Slafkovsky do against them?
Guarantee if the roles were reversed and it was Heineman playing on the top line with Suzuki & Caufield and putting up points, you’d say it’s “only because he’s on the top line, Slaf is on the 4th line!” . Just looking for a cop out to diminish was he’s doing and make excuses for Slaf.

you're putting so many words in my mouth that i don't even know where to start. have a good one

 

[Andy]

Love how strong he is. Still room to get even stronger

 

[HuGort]

He reminds me of Mike McPhee. The guy could hit, play well defensively and score his fair share of goals.

McPhee was one of toughest guys in league

 

[Fatbiggie]

McPhee was one of toughest guys in league

Mike Mcphee was the best

 

[windycity]

He reminds me of Mike McPhee. The guy could hit, play well defensively and score his fair share of goals.

Man I LOVED McPhee, terrific player

 

[WeThreeKings]

It's so refreshing to see a young player just get who he is and be that player as a rookie, night in and night out.

This guy has a permanent place on our team.

 

[DAChampion]

Compared to someone like Celebrini / Bedard / Hughes / Hischier / Matthews / McDavid / MacKinnons of the first over all category, we were unlucky.

That is almost certainly the case but what can one do? That's life, it's full of probabilities, sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you don't. I would never compare Slafkovsky to McDavid I find that ridiculous. What matters to me are two questions:

- Are the Habs developing Slafkovsky in the optimal manner?
- Would one or more of Wright, Cooley, Nemec, or Jiricek have been better a better pick?

I don't know the answers. It's hard for me to judge.

The probabilities also need to be averaged over many picks. At the very least, how much luck is there in drafting Slafkovsky, Reinbacher, and Demidov at 1,5,5? I think that's probably ok. And what about the luck level in drafting Mesar and Hage?

 

[Andy]

That is almost certainly the case but what can one do? That's life, it's full of probabilities, sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you don't. I would never compare Slafkovsky to McDavid I find that ridiculous. What matters to me are two questions:

- Are the Habs developing Slafkovsky in the optimal manner?
- Would one or more of Wright, Cooley, Nemec, or Jiricek have been better a better pick?

I don't know the answers. It's hard for me to judge.

The probabilities also need to be averaged over many picks. At the very least, how much luck is there in drafting Slafkovsky, Reinbacher, and Demidov at 1,5,5? I think that's probably ok. And what about the luck level in drafting Mesar and Hage?

Edmonton drafted Hall, Yakupov, RNH before they got McDavid.

1OA isn’t a sure bet

 

[Sorinth]

Compared to someone like Celebrini / Bedard / Hughes / Hischier / Matthews / McDavid / MacKinnons of the first over all category, we were unlucky. If I'm unhinged for seeing that, so be it lol.

MacKinnon was a 50 point player in his D+3 and D+4 years. He's actually a perfect example of why you are rushing to conclusions to quickly with Slaf.

 

[Andy]

MacKinnon was a 50 point player in his D+3 and D+4 years. He's actually a perfect example of why you are rushing to conclusions to quickly with Slaf.

This is very true, but MacKinnon is just a different player.

I do think Slaf will be a 70-80 point winger, but I don't think he will ever be dominant like Mac is.

Even though MacKinnon was still a 50 point player in d+4, his play style was far more commanding. He's always attacked defenders with speed and intensity and was always able to make plays at a high pace. I still remember his first playoff stretch where he was dominant. I am not sure Slaf has that type of game in him.

I love Slaf, but I just don't see that level of 1OA in him. It's not a bad thing, there wasn't that type of player in the draft - or at least not an evident one.

We'll see, I would love to be wrong.

 

[windycity]

Man I loved his assist yesterday, looking forward to seeing him develop further. He's a moose

 

[KevSkillz4]

This guy is very legit man!!

He can be a really good one if he continue like that!!

 

[Goalfield13]

Man I loved his assist yesterday, looking forward to seeing him develop further. He's a moose

It's crazy to think about because he was getting injured so often in the AHL. The A is just full of goons.

 

[Paddy17]

Man I loved his assist yesterday, looking forward to seeing him develop further. He's a moose

He's a poor man's Tarasenko.

 

[Rapala]

I can eventually see this type of player being an instrumental compliment to a solid top six line.
He presents us with a much cleaner game than Slaf does at this point arriving with bad intentions using proper checking angles.
When I watch Slaf trying the same things the most I can hope for is a wide splat...
Not mention Heineman never fails to finish his check Slaf not so much.

 

[windycity]

He's a poor man's Tarasenko.

Maybe more if he keeps developing, he's a rookie

 

[Deebs]

I can eventually see this type of player being an instrumental compliment to a solid top six line.
He presents us with a much cleaner game than Slaf does at this point arriving with bad intentions using proper checking angles.
When I watch Slaf trying the same things the most I can hope for is a wide splat...
Not mention Heineman never fails to finish his check Slaf not so much.

The biggest difference between these two players is their respective "want to". Emil has that dog in him, the same as a Gallagher or Lehkonen where he'll do whatever is asked of him to benefit the team. It's extremely hard not to love and respect that type of player.

Slaf just isn't that guy, he wasn't bred that way and that's ok. He's a perimeter, set up guy and there's nothing wrong with that. Moving forward we need to play him with guys that will benefit from his skill set. It's working fairly well with Suzy and Cole. It will continue to improve as his game matures.

 

[LaP]

That is almost certainly the case but what can one do? That's life, it's full of probabilities, sometimes you get lucky and sometimes you don't. I would never compare Slafkovsky to McDavid I find that ridiculous. What matters to me are two questions:

- Are the Habs developing Slafkovsky in the optimal manner?
- Would one or more of Wright, Cooley, Nemec, or Jiricek have been better a better pick?

I don't know the answers. It's hard for me to judge.

The probabilities also need to be averaged over many picks. At the very least, how much luck is there in drafting Slafkovsky, Reinbacher, and Demidov at 1,5,5? I think that's probably ok. And what about the luck level in drafting Mesar and Hage?

He's is being developed like 100% of the 1st overall picks. They are giving TOI with good players, The coach is not shitting on him every night. There's no problem there but people thinking a player has reached his prime at 20 years old. Slaf was never going to be a McDavid we knew that all along.

 

[Rapala]

It's working fairly well with Suzy and Cole.

Personally I don't think it is.
Suzuki and Caufield are at their best when they are in motion before getting the puck and entering the zone with speed.
I'd like to see far less dump and chase from them and that won't happen until Slaf starts moving the puck much quicker.
His reach and size do make up for his lack of technique but seriously if he is a perimeter guy I feel like we've been short changed.
He was making far more plays in the Ozone off the boards at the tail end of last season. He needs more polish.

 

[JoelWarlord]

I love Slaf, but I just don't see that level of 1OA in him. It's not a bad thing, there wasn't that type of player in the draft - or at least not an evident one.

No there was a player like that and we got him at 62

 

[Andrei79]

It's so refreshing to see a young player just get who he is and be that player as a rookie, night in and night out.

This guy has a permanent place on our team.

The right coaching helps quite a bit too. Before, you had only one type of player who could succeed, now there's a place for every type of young player, from a physical defensive defenseman (Xhekaj), to a big winger who can score or a small sniper.

 

[Vachon23]

Perfect top 9 player probably better on a 3rd line but who can compliment each line with his speed/shoot/strength.

 

[Walrus26]

That line of Moose - Evans - slower Moose is feasting on typical 4th line matchups and is proving a handful to any opposing "smurfy" top lines.

You love to see it. And like many others, I found Heineman's play on Armia's goal vs Tampa quite arousing.

With another year or two's seasoning and experience, he could become a top PKer and legit short handed threat as well as a bona fide 3rd liner who could fill in higher up the lineup when needed.

 

[OldCraig71]

He's becoming someone I watch on every shift to see what he can do. His play on Armia's goal was strength, determination, and skill. That line has been good when the others weren't and now that the rest of the team is playing better it only makes them more valuable.

 

[montreal]

It's crazy to think about because he was getting injured so often in the AHL. The A is just full of goons.

His injury issues started in the SHL, he got injured like 5 minutes after being traded to the Habs, a concussion that cost him a chunk of the season. Staying healthy this year would be great to see for him since he isn't shy physically so once you get more then one concussion it's always going to be concerns.