CHwest
Talent sets the floor, character sets the ceiling.
- May 24, 2011
- 3,447
- 5,262
He needs to study Jager and Armia tape.Slafkovsky's actually pretty good at planting himself in front of the net. Once we're set up in the offensive zone, he often heads towards the net and acts as a screen/deflector, which he's done well. It doesn't look like a problem with his net-GPS or brute strength; it looks like an inability to protect the puck while it's on his stick. He lacks the dodge & weave skills to carry the puck around players, and he lacks the body-positioning to protect the puck if he wants to skate through players. The result is he gets pressured easily and either rushes his pass or loses the puck altogether.
Slaf's a really good passer. If he learns how to protect the puck and maintain control a bit longer, he could become a great playmaker.