Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky discussion

[ReHabs]

I still have him as a prototypical winger, read-react-crash type as well, but his tools are so good it works when he is in motion. I think he just needs xp to reach his ceiling. He’s known as a fast learner too.

I’m watching Gallagher string together 5-6 smart decisions in a row on the fly these days and figure there is hope for all. The game before last Gally was carrying it in the neutral zone, he looked over at his linemates changing, so he decided to carry it middle into the 3 opposing players, put the puck just behind them once they converged and forced them to turn around or get an interference call. He took 3 guys with him, got possession back and the team got full changes. How much of that is xp vs innate iq I don’t know but I was impressed.

Gallagher's always been a smart player. His 5on5 play attests to it, unfortunately he's losing his wheels and he's injury history has caught up with him. I won't say I've always been a big fan but when he's on the ice he doesn't make mistakes. I don't know how much is earned XP or innate IQ either.

I see Slaf as a Matheson, Anderson, type vs a Guhle or Suzuki. A highly efficient nervous system is not high iq (that is deduction/anticipation power).

When he starts thinking and watching the puck his feet stop and he looks like a noob I agree. When he’s moving he’s really efficient and useful and pulls out awesome plays.

I don't like reading this stuff about Slaf, I don't want it to be true. Like I said, he reminds me of other tools-but-no-toolbox players. I hope with experience he makes better plays but I've decided I won't get mad about him or get mad that people do the emperor's-new-clothes routine about him any more. Que sera sera.

I'm still upbeat about his impact in the playoffs, he's probably most dangerous when teams don't game plan for him -- because he is skilled.

 

[ahmedou]

Slaf on Dobes:

"I'd say he’s a gamer. During the practice, I score like every shot. Then during the game, no one can score on him. He’s just a gamer.”

 

[ahmedou]

AURA SLAF CELEBRATION

 

[ahmedou]

 

[Skip Bayless]

Reference game.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Decent game, first line was outstanding tonight, I love how him and caufield forecheck together

 

[Habssince89]

He's been laying big hits, winning the puck, not over thinking it when he does. He's going to the net and being rewarded. Keep it up Slafsquatch

 

[OneSharpMarble]

Looks stronger on his skates, didn't notice the "new born deer" stance this game.

 

[Miller Time]

He's been laying big hits, winning the puck, not over thinking it when he does. He's going to the net and being rewarded. Keep it up Slafsquatch

It's just a matter of time...

All the pieces are there, 2-3 more seasons of experience + offseasons further rounding out his strength & coordination and he's going to be outright unstoppable.

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

Beast mode starting to activate

@ReHabs how did you like his game tonight? Is he starting to grow on you?

 

[Bobby Holik agent]

Well i'm all happy you're getting your simple dumb stereotypical power foward...
but he has 0 pass in 5 games ...
where my BIG FINESSE PLAYMAKING BELUGA/SIREN CROSSING???

 

[ReHabs]

Beast mode starting to activate

@ReHabs how did you like his game tonight? Is he starting to grow on you?

Hopefully he has turned a corner. Hopefully it’s not a career thing with him that he needs half a year to remember to bring the goods regularly.

 

[Jurivan Demidovsky]

It makes me think that something is wrong when he can do this but doesn’t and waits for 40 games in a season. In your opinion, it laziness, carelessness, or is he just not capable enough to bring the goods regularly?

In my opinion it's a lack of confidence and physical maturity. We can see now that he's gaining in confidence and finding his form from last season.

 

[HabsCowboysOwn]

Well i'm all happy you're getting your simple dumb stereotypical power foward...
but he has 0 pass in 5 games ...
where my BIG FINESSE PLAYMAKING BELUGA/SIREN CROSSING???

He's here bro, he never left.

 

[River Meadow]

WHERE THE HATERS AT NOW?????????????

 

[LV426]

WHERE THE HATERS AT NOW?????????????

They're moving on to someone else to hate.

 

[JianYang]

His tying goal against the Rags kind of exemplifies how difficult he is to handle when he decides to move his feet.

It doesn't seem to come naturally to him as he seems to love the role of slowing things down and playing passer.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

WHERE THE HATERS AT NOW?????????????

They’re in the Montambeault thread

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

His tying goal against the Rags kind of exemplifies how difficult he is to handle when he decides to move his feet.

It doesn't seem to come naturally to him as he seems to love the role of slowing things down and playing passer.

Yeah, he loves to pass. And he’s good at it. But he needs to learn from Dach and start going to the net. Dach was always known as a playmaker and now suddenly he’s just storming the net.

 

[waitin425]

Slowly returning to unicorn form.

 

[KevSkillz4]

Slaf need to play like that every game and he is going to be a truly beast man!!

This guy is unreal when he play like against Rangers.

Keep it up!!

 

[Pat Riot]

I would switch Slaf with Dach on the first power play unit. Dach has found his mojo back and Slaf is not helping. He should hone his skills on the second unit. He misses too many passes and lose the puck too often.

 

[Lshap]

A riled-up, angry Slafkovsky is a very effective Slafkovsky. He was terrific last night, and I doubt it's a coincidence that it was an emotional game where both teams clearly disliked each other. The Rags waved a red cape at Slaf, and he responded by bulldozing his way through them. But it wasn't just adrenaline – Slafkovsky's puck-handling was smarter and more controlled.

Really liked what I saw, now we need it to become consistent. Having Slaf reach another level at the same time Dach's finding his game could be a huge boost in the final months.

 

[McGuires Corndog]

This celebration on his back is f***ing GOATed man. Jesus

 

[Rapala]

I would switch Slaf with Dach on the first power play unit. Dach has found his mojo back and Slaf is not helping. He should hone his skills on the second unit. He misses too many passes and lose the puck too often.

Slaf standing off to the side of the net is not accomplishing much. Dach will screen and move through the crease like Kreider did last evening. We can't rely solely on Laine to score goals and with guys Suzuki Hutson and sometime Caufield manning the point we need players who know how to time their screens. We have three players who can get pucks through it becomes about placement and not power.