Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky discussion

[LaP]

Let him progress. There is no real need to rush any move. The team isnt close right now and need a 2nd line center and to make a legit defense core that doesnt have Methhead playing 25 min a night

We just watched Byfield continue to have his ups and downs. Leo Carlson hasnt blown anyone away nor has Fantilli

Carlsson is on his way to a worse d+2 season than Slaf had and i would be the last to call Carlsson a flop still like the kid a lot. Fantilli should have a similar d+2 season than Slaf. So far there's nothing abnormal with Slaf developement as a big guy drafted 1st overall in what should be one of the weakest draft ever.

 

[ReimanSum1908]

No I am just being realistic. Once in a while he makes amazingly crisp and smooth passes I agree with that. He does have talent. 80% of the times, it's blind passes to nowhere that lead a turnover and a loss of possession. That is an IQ issue.

Precisely the same reason he got leveled with massive, clean hits every second game: he's a fundamentally low-hockey-IQ player with limited vision and poor sense for the game, but all the physical tools, who has only showed up offensively twice in his career at any level.

 

[ReHabs]

Precisely the same reason he got leveled with massive, clean hits every second game: he's a fundamentally low-hockey-IQ player with limited vision and poor sense for the game, but all the physical tools, who has only showed up offensively twice in his career at any level.

Physical tools but doesn’t like to use them because it isn’t in his nature. He’s the stereotypical “euro” style player and that’s specifically his style of game. Until further notice, he’s Tomas Tatar without the defensive hustle.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

It's crazy that some people think we have anybody in our NHL or AHL lineup capabale of moving the needle more than Slaf in our top 6 or that we could acquire one easily by trade. Crazy.

I agree.

But…. I thought Kotkaniemi would be better than he was. You never really know. Slaf was never a can’t miss star type guy so I understand the skepticism.

I’m with you though, I’ve seen enough to believe. I just think it will take some time. I’m disappointed by this year but not entirely surprised.

 

[Tyson]

I am convinced that he has been plagued by some sort of injury the entire season.

 

[sampollock]

I agree.

But…. I thought Kotkaniemi would be better than he was. You never really know. Slaf was never a can’t miss star type guy so I understand the skepticism.

I’m with you though, I’ve seen enough to believe. I just think it will take some time. I’m disappointed by this year but not entirely surprised.

i was convinced that BT was better then KK...

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

i was convinced that BT was better then KK...

...let's not do this again...too painful...

 

[le_sean]

Wright couldn't put up 50pts in the AHL (65pt pace tbh) last year and this season he's got the same points in the NHL as Slaf. What does that say about Slaf's progression?

Apples to apples: Slafkovsky doesn't play any PK at all, just like Wright, but has significantly more PP TOI (3:08 to 1:48 PP TOI/GP). Overall TOI/gp is 16:52 Slafkovsky to 13:32 for Shane Wright.

Progression isn't linear -- we have two players who were drafted near each other and have the same points this season so far; both of whom are not hitters, are not shooters, are not PK guys, but one is practically a rookie and the other is due to start a mega contract.

The point is all of these young players will have ups and downs. Where were you last year when Slaf put up 50? That’s right, you went into hiatus because everyone called you out. Then you claimed you weren’t a hater and now you’re back hating because he’s in a slump.

Just stop whining about a 20 year old and comparing other 20 year olds to him. Do the exercise when these kids are 24-25 years old.

This social media and smart device obsession of needing immediate results/answers is making people crazy. Slaf needs to be a star NOW. The rebuild should be OVER. It’s ridiculous.

 

[BLONG7]

Slaf is going to be fine guys..............way too much drama surrounding a 20 year old.
They drafted him, not for the player he is now, but who he will become in another couple of years.....patience.

 

[HuGort]

That gave him the big contract too quick and Slaf took the foot off the gas

 

[Miller Time]

Why are you extrapolating Slaf’s production (pace) when he’s already played ~ the same number of games as Mac in those 2 seasons?

It’s Mac 90, Slaf 79.

First 3 seasons:

Mac - 58pts / 82GP
Slaf - 42pts / 82GP

or, you could frame it as Mac had an even steeper decline from year 1 to year 3, before trending back up again in year 4 and exploding in year 5 and going nuclear in year 10... which sliver of early career stats one chooses to focus on is largely irrelevant, the main point stands and holds...

progress for young players, including future HOFers, is not linear. Slaf is young and has shown signs similar to/better than forwards currently in the top 5 & well on their way to HOF careers. Those claiming that his inconsistency at 20 years old are a sure sign that he isn't going to become an elite player are grossly underestimating the realities of athlete development pathways. that's all.

100%

… but there’s certain situations where he just has to throw a hit. And at times he has to be proactive in making contact to protect himself (he’s improving that, but still work TBD).

improvement is a positive sign, as is the large indications that he is committed to putting in the work.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

That gave him the big contract too quick and Slaf took the foot off the gas

We’ll see. I think by the end we’ll be more than happy with that contract

 

[ReHabs]

The point is all of these young players will have ups and downs. Where were you last year when Slaf put up 50? That’s right, you went into hiatus because everyone called you out. Then you claimed you weren’t a hater and now you’re back hating because he’s in a slump.

I’ve been commenting where and when I am permitted pretty damn regularly. Maybe that can clue you in.

Just stop whining about a 20 year old and comparing other 20 year olds to him. Do the exercise when these kids are 24-25 years old.

So you won’t comment on eg. Kotkaniemi until next season when he turns 25? Let’s make sure we’re on the same level here.

This social media and smart device obsession of needing immediate results/answers is making people crazy. Slaf needs to be a star NOW. The rebuild should be OVER. It’s ridiculous.

Slaf needs to move his feet, shoot the puck, and be better than last year. I’m not expecting the moon from him — I’m willing to bet no one who follows hockey expects anything spectacular from Slafkovsky at this point.

His effort levels shouldn’t be in question as often as they are.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Disappointed in the progress tbh, but still have faith. We got the best player in the drsft, it just wasn’t him. All is good.

 

[The Great Weal]

I'm not too worried, he just needs to figure out what weight is best for him to display his freakish athleticism consistently. I don't see how people say he's a product of Suzuki/Caufield, he was a beast on that line the second they got put together last year. 7 million is the going rate for 2nd liners nowadays and the cap is rising. The contract is a nonissue.