F Juraj Slafkovsky - TPS, Finland U20 (2022 Draft)

[thomast]

Clearly the best prospect in liiga this year.

 

[JabbaJabba]

Clearly the best prospect in liiga this year.

Kinda hard to agree when you remember what Kemell did in Autumn.

 

[stastny12]

Kinda hard to agree when you remember what Kemell did in Autumn.

Also hard to disagree when you remember what Slafkovsky did at the Olympics.

 

[thomast]

Kinda hard to agree when you remember what Kemell did in Autumn.

Kemell has better numbers sure. He have also been best player in liiga for draft eligible players, but his utilization is different compared to Slaf. I’m talking about projection, not where they are now. Slaf is much more raw player compared to Kemell and at their best is clearly more dominant player. Kemell despite of his young age is really mature for his age mentally and physically. Yes, of course he is still going to mature, but he is closer to his ceiling IMO and i believe it is knock on Kemell. I’m afraid there is not much room for improvement. I have been wrong before, but to me Slaf is clearly best prospect on liiga because of his projection. I’m finnish and i don’t have horse in this race.

Finland most likely will have extremely good year in 2024 even outside of Kiviharju.

 

[JabbaJabba]

Also hard to disagree when you remember what Slafkovsky did at the Olympics.

I take Kemell's Autumn over it. Not saying that Slafkovsky couldn't become the better player in the end, just based on what we have seen so far I rate Kemell higher.

 

[Big Empty]

Can't wait for Slafkovsky to be a Hab.

 

[Eggtimer]

Can't wait for Slafkovsky to be a Hab.

Devils won’t be interested in trading him .

 

[Big Empty]

Devils won’t be interested in trading him .

You won’t get the chance to trade him if we draft him first

 

[Eggtimer]

You won’t get the chance to trade him if we draft him first

MSL will have the Habs win at a .750 clip and Devils continue to suck and finish one point behind you , draft Slaf . We will let you draft a C

 

[KevSkillz4]

He reminds me so much of Andrei Svechnikov.

It's a good comparison?

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

He reminds me so much of Andrei Svechnikov.

It's a good comparison?

Probably not a bad comp.

I see a Puljujarvi / Rantanen hybrid.

 

[lanky]

Weren't Svech, Rantanen and Puljujarvi all quicker than Slafkovsky? I haven't seen much of Slafkovsky but in my limited viewing, he seemed more like a puck protection beast on the O-zone cycle. Less of a quick strike speedy winger.

 

[Akrapovince]

Weren't Svech, Rantanen and Puljujarvi all quicker than Slafkovsky? I haven't seen much of Slafkovsky but in my limited viewing, he seemed more like a puck protection beast on the O-zone cycle. Less of a quick strike speedy winger.

Winger Draisatl maybe?

 

[TopTenPlayz]

Can he be transitioned to center down the road?

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Weren't Svech, Rantanen and Puljujarvi all quicker than Slafkovsky? I haven't seen much of Slafkovsky but in my limited viewing, he seemed more like a puck protection beast on the O-zone cycle. Less of a quick strike speedy winger.

Rantanen was definitely not quicker than Slaf.

 

[NHL Dude 120]

Slafkovsky-Stutzle-Browm
Tkachuk-Norris-Batherson

Has the makings of an impressive top six.

 

[thomast]

Rantanen was definitely not quicker than Slaf.

You’re right. Puljujärvi is more explosive and they share similar top speed, but Pulju isn’t a tank like Slaf. Yes, a big strong dude for sure but Slaf has ridiculous strength for player of his age and he can handle the puck in top speed. Barkov now is a good comparison for skating and strength. Physical beast with excellent/elite skating.

 

[Reddwit]

He’s gotta keep the energy going from the Olympics. He better not slack offsky.

 

[JabbaJabba]

He’s gotta keep the energy going from the Olympics. He better not slack offsky.

 

[ijuka]

Still looks like low hockey IQ to me.

 

[Intangir]

Still looks like low hockey IQ to me.

I like Slafkovsky, but I see a lot of Joel Armia in his game. He's faster, has a better shot, but puck protection and IQ are pretty close as prospects. Hopefully for him he progresses more than Armia ever did as a prospect.

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

I don't see low hockey IQ at all. In the 2 games I watched at the WJC he was tremendous with the puck, efficiently distributing the puck to high danger areas that resulted in scoring chances. I believe he has a shot to shift to center in the future given his skillset.

 

[kudla]

His hockey IQ is one of his biggest assets...

 

[Jason MacIsaac]

His hockey IQ is one of his biggest assets...

I just ignore certain posters after the Kaako/Hughes discussion. You are correct, he has tremendous hockey sense.

 

[thomast]

He was best and most effective 5-on-5 player on team Slovakia at olympics despite of his goals. People tend to forget that aspect in his olympic performance. He is awesome at puck management and great at reading plays. Certainly not low hockey iq. It's his strength for sure.