HF Habs: Habs All Access Draft Feature

[SOLR]

We dont have the same definition of what is talent. Slafkovsky has the smoothest hands in the draft and can deke players at full speed, thats talent.

That's true, but he's not that special on this - because that speed isn't creating a big advantage for him (vs. someone like Savoie, or if you prefer, Gaborik).

 

[ReHabs]

Hughes did say they don't want to pick the player based on what he is at 18, but what he'll be when he's 23-24. In other words, it's not about the now, but the later. A reason they took Slaf is also because he's one the most NHL ready among the draftees. But they still didn't take him because of what he is now, but what he will become in a few years.

As for NHL games, if he earns NHL games, he should play there. But it shouldn't be an automatic. If he needs to be in the AHL the whole year, then let him be there all year. But I wouldn't put a limit to him playing zero NHL games.

I think he’s not quite NHL ready.

Would be better to see him play at least half a season in Liiga or AHL and demonstrate the ability to produce points in a men’s league setting.

I can’t see how the Habs roster situation is favourable for Slaf. I feel like he will get bottom6 minutes and struggle like he did in Liiga. Maybe he will earn his way to top minutes but why not rather have him parachuted into a situation where he can be relied on to advance and evolve his game, try new solutions, be given tons of minutes?

You nailed my reaction when I read ridiculous hyperbole dumped by the truckload on Habs draftees.

I wish the video in question would talk about their takes on Slaf’s question marks — but nope. He has none and nothing to improve or monitor progress. He only has silky mitts, full speed dekes, and a Can Do attitude!

 

[salbutera]

Yup, this guy is surfing on reputation, he brought us nothing through the years. We have made terrible euro picks, awful.

When I reflect on it, I think I have PTSD on high euro picks. That might be why I'm not ready to surrender my full fandom to Slaf. I've been hurt guys. Or maybe it's because I don't get what Liiga is all about .

Slaf will be fine I'm sure, really. But the scouts didn't sell him to me. Bobrov and Christer were totally pro euro (like being the King of Slovakia is more pressure than being dubbed the next canadian golden boy and whatnot) and there was a sense of size that even Boucher mentionned: if you guys can just shoot your wad on size right away, we might be able to have an ok draft this time

Many times it’s not the player but the fit. Habs have traditionally been successful w players who can accept & learn to play the 200-ft game. Most Euro talents are more offensively focused and simply don’t meet the fit / don’t care to meet it, which is further amplified by the demands of the Mtl market increasing lack of success probability. Ex. Naslund, Koivu, Plekanec were willing to transform their game to meet the criteria, Dahlin, AKos, Galchenyuk etc simply were unable or didn’t care to (same applies for North American players as well)

It was interesting Hughes told Dach, “get ready to play offensive hockey”…. those words have never been uttered by Habs management since prior to Frank Selke coming over from Leafs & establishing the 200-ft game criteria back in 1947…

Let’s see if HuGo are successful with their strategic approach… they’re trying to reconfigure the Habs entire DNA makeup

 

[Adam Michaels]

I think he’s not quite NHL ready.

Would be better to see him play at least half a season in Liiga or AHL and demonstrate the ability to produce points in a men’s league setting.

I can’t see how the Habs roster situation is favourable for Slaf. I feel like he will get bottom6 minutes and struggle like he did in Liiga. Maybe he will earn his way to top minutes but why not rather have him parachuted into a situation where he can be relied on to advance and evolve his game, try new solutions, be given tons of minutes?

I'm good with all of that. Him going back to Liiga would not be my favorite option, though. If it's not NHL, I want him in Laval. I want him to be in North America.

As for 3rd line minutes in the NHL, it might not be the worst thing. Lecavalier has said how much it helped him starting out his career on the third line. And since he's with the Habs, he surely shares that with the management and coaching staff.

I just wouldn't put a cap to how many games he plays in the NHL. If he plays zero games and plays all year in the AHL, I think that would be a good thing. But I wouldn't decide before camp and pre-season that he will not play any NHL games.

 

[Habs Icing]

Or to Bobrov: who’s more incompetent, you with the spotty draft record or Biceps Marty, the holdover from the failed prior regime?

That question would have exploded half the heads in that video. The other half would have developed PTSD.

Having said that, I'm having a problem reconciling that well-spoken (English is his 2nd language) Bobrov with his drafting record.

 

[ReHabs]

That question would have exploded half the heads in that video. The other half would have developed PTSD.

Having said that, I'm having a problem reconciling that well-spoken (English is his 2nd language) Bobrov with his drafting record.

He speaks French too. Impressive person, hope his drafting will prove to be equally impressive.

 

[FlatIron]

Obviously highly edited but it says a lot. Go watch the 2018 version when they were prepping for the 3rd pick, no one on the staff showed confidence, look at their body language compared to the new staff. It's very telling, sure there's some confirmation bias but have a look.

PS Will they release the Shane Wright footage in 100 uears? Man I'd love to see it. Lol

 

[Goldenhands]

Lol, these nonsense hyperbolic posts are not helping your cause.

You are behind the time on the topic.

We saw this in action with his blistering production in the Liiga playoffs. End of the season, he had all the confidence and experiences he needed to be unleashed. He scored almost 0.4ppg imagine those silky mitts in the NHL against NHL level defenders

Im expecting you to expatriate toward another forum pretty soonly. Camp is coming dude, camp is coming!

 

[KevSkillz4]

The Habs management looks high on Kirby Dach, when Hughes call him he said that they are thrilled to have him. I'm thrilled too, because he have the talent to becoming a pretty good hockey player. Ryan Johansen type of C will be a huge W for Habs. Their profile looks pretty similar to me.

 

[BLONG7]

I'm good with all of that. Him going back to Liiga would not be my favorite option, though. If it's not NHL, I want him in Laval. I want him to be in North America.

As for 3rd line minutes in the NHL, it might not be the worst thing. Lecavalier has said how much it helped him starting out his career on the third line. And since he's with the Habs, he surely shares that with the management and coaching staff.

I just wouldn't put a cap to how many games he plays in the NHL. If he plays zero games and plays all year in the AHL, I think that would be a good thing. But I wouldn't decide before camp and pre-season that he will not play any NHL games.

The preseason will be a huge test for him, as to whether he starts the season in Montreal.
If he does, and doesn't do well, it's easy to send him to Laval to hopefully get his wind in the pro style game, and come back after Xmas...........or even later in the season.
Open to making sure the development process in the most important thing here....
I think he stays all season, and will surprise many -people....

The Habs management looks high on Kirby Dach, when Hughes call him he said that they are thrilled to have him. I'm thrilled too, because he have the talent to becoming a pretty good hockey player. Ryan Johansen type of C will be a huge W for Habs. Their profile looks pretty similar to me.

Agreed.............thinking Dach is going to be a good one......

 

[KevSkillz4]

Agreed.............thinking Dach is going to be a good one......

Oh yeah, before his injurie... he put 10 points in 18 games and last year, CHI are not a good team... and he put 26 points in 70 games, not bad at all.

Now he join a team with offensive mentality, young good players like Suzuki, Caufield and Slafkovsky.

This team will be fun to watch one day, long time that we don't have a lot of talent like that!!

 

[Habs]

As for NHL games, if he earns NHL games, he should play there. But it shouldn't be an automatic. If he needs to be in the AHL the whole year, then let him be there all year. But I wouldn't put a limit to him playing zero NHL games.

This is an AHL team in Montreal, I would be happy with him here under MSL anyways. Too bad a healthy Webs wasn't here for some of the young kids oh well.

 

[SlafySZN]

This is an AHL team in Montreal, I would be happy with him here under MSL anyways. Too bad a healthy Webs wasn't here for some of the young kids oh well.

I prefer him being coached by MSL than in Laval even if Houle seems like doing a good job in Laval. We haven’t see him develop any prospects from our system yet.

 

[HABitual Fan]

I prefer him being coached by MSL than in Laval even if Houle seems like doing a good job in Laval. We haven’t see him develop any prospects from our system yet.

Did we actually have any there last year to develop?

 

[SlafySZN]

Did we actually have any there last year to develop?

RHP, Ylonen, fairbrother. That’s pretty much it lol.

Norlinder for a few games but he wasn’t giving him PP time…

 

[Kennerback]

I prefer him being coached by MSL than in Laval even if Houle seems like doing a good job in Laval. We haven’t see him develop any prospects from our system yet.

The dirty secret is that the AHL is not much of a development league. It’s a place where team assets are parked when there‘s no room in the NHL. For the better young prospects the time they need to get bigger, faster and stronger to play against man. Aside from a few exceptions, there’s not much improvement in skills.

 

[ReHabs]

The dirty secret is that the AHL is not much of a development league. It’s a place where team assets are parked when there‘s no room in the NHL. For the better young prospects the time they need to get bigger, faster and stronger to play against man. Aside from a few exceptions, there’s not much improvement in skills.

Is Slaf now too good for what worked for Rantanen?

 

[Kennerback]

Is Slaf now too good for what worked for Rantanen?

Rantanen was skin and bones. 35 pounds lighter and fell at every gust of wind. He lost almost every puck battle when cycling.

 

[Whitesnake]

Delete.

 

[ReHabs]

Rantanen was skin and bones. 35 pounds lighter and fell at every gust of wind. He lost almost every puck battle when cycling.

And Slafkovsky couldn't manage to score even 0.5ppg despite being one of the biggest players in the league. Hell, he didn't even hit 0.4ppg and not even in the playoffs when he was supposedly bursting with confidence. He needs seasoning.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

You are behind the time on the topic.

Im expecting you to expatriate toward another forum pretty soonly. Camp is coming dude, camp is coming!

Your originality is as strong as your prospect evaluations.

 

[Scriptor]

Yeah he knows the Q quite well and has some solid connections, I just found it rather funny and not much subtle how he tried to push for his own 1st OV.

What I like about the new management is that they wont let anyone influence their decisions, I think its pretty clear.

What does that mean? Sounds like they should fire the entire scouting team if nobody's opinion has any worth....

They won't ket anyone influence their decisions? ThatMs the point of having scouts. Trusting their opinions and reports to make your decisions. How would that not be letting others influence your decisions?

And Slafkovsky couldn't manage to score even 0.5ppg despite being one of the biggest players in the league. Hell, he didn't even hit 0.4ppg and not even in the playoffs when he was supposedly bursting with confidence. He needs seasoning.

Who says he doesn't? BTW, he could also get that seasoning in the NHL under the watchful eye of Martin St-Louis...

 

[Goldenhands]

What does that mean? Sounds like they should fire the entire scouting team if nobody's opinion has any worth....

They won't ket anyone influence their decisions? ThatMs the point of having scouts. Trusting their opinions and reports to make your decisions. How would that not be letting others influence your decisions?

Im talking about external opinions such as the fan base, medias ect.

Your originality is as strong as your prospect evaluations.

Thank you, I knew you loved me.

 

[Goldenhands]

That's true, but he's not that special on this - because that speed isn't creating a big advantage for him (vs. someone like Savoie, or if you prefer, Gaborik).

You cant expect a 6"4 230 lbs player to skate like Gaborik, but the top speed he can reach for a player his size is impressive, he has that long reach and soft ends to undress players off the rush and is much harder to stop than a manlet like Savoie.

 

[SOLR]

You cant expect a 6"4 230 lbs player to skate like Gaborik, but the top speed he can reach for a player his size is impressive, he has that long reach and soft ends to undress players off the rush and is much harder to stop than a manlet like Savoie.

For sure, but you are selling it as if Slaf's core business will be to beat guys with speed (manlet Savoie will do that - get hurt sometimes). It probably won't be, even if he's elite. He will be a garbage collector that relies on IQ/size to go in all the dirty areas (he'll need a high IQ / fast player with him) - and he's a decent playmaker to go with that (why he won't be Armia either, much bigger IQ). I think it's fairly optimistic to sell him like a Jagr in style, Jagr was dominating his levels at the same age and playing with speed for that time period. Slaf is average in speed, that's why he can't think of developing the same game as Jaromir - unless you are thinking of 31-33 years old version of Jagr.

Drai is the player to emulate here...Drai creates garbage in front of him by having an indecent conversion rate.