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.

 

[Ozmodiar]

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.

That’s all well and good, but you didn’t answer my question.

 

[River Meadow]

Slaf plays great: OMG Slaf sooo good, YASSSSSSSS!

Slaf plays bad: GUISE he's only 20yrs old, wait until he's 25 to even talk about him!

 

[HuGort]

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

Not the same intensity as second half of last season

 

[Artaud]

If you speak French, I highly suggest you listen to Mathias Brunet's interview with Kentb Hughes, in which he makes some big statements regarding Slaf.

First one is an explanation of why they kept him in the NHL. They felt like it was the only place where he would not be able to rely on his physical advantage to win, and would have to develop other parts of his game. Or at least that he should level up in that area to keep relying on it.

Management sort of let him do his thing the first year, but at some point Hughes himself talked to him and told him he had to stop trying to play like Jack Hughes (a skill-based game) and start playing like Slaf (a power game). Essentially, Slaf is trying to be truffled fois gras when he should be accepting his fate as steak and egg.

Its obvious he has That Guy energy. He's charismatic, vocal and fearless. But is he mean? Does he want to play "f-you" hockey? That's what I wonder. It's one thing to be built like a bully and another to act like one. The latter is not a given, but I can understand that it might take time for a kid to get to that mental space in one of the toughest pro sports leagues in the world. Maybe he just has to accept his role.

Even if he never develops superstar skill, he can still be a great piece by dominating physically with the skill he's already shown. Tons of guys have become impactful wingers through sheer power.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

If you speak French, I highly suggest you listen to Mathias Brunet's interview with Kentb Hughes, in which he makes some big statements regarding Slaf.

First one is an explanation of why they kept him in the NHL. They felt like it was the only place where he would not be able to rely on his physical advantage to win, and would have to develop other parts of his game. Or at least that he should level up in that area to keep relying on it.

Management sort of let him do his thing the first year, but at some point Hughes himself talked to him and told him he had to stop trying to play like Jack Hughes (a skill-based game) and start playing like Slaf (a power game). Essentially, Slaf is trying to be truffled fois gras when he should be accepting his fate as steak and egg.

Its obvious he has That Guy energy. He's charismatic, vocal and fearless. But is he mean? Does he want to play "f-you" hockey? That's what I wonder. It's one thing to be built like a bully and another to act like one. The latter is not a given, but I can understand that it might take time for a kid to get to that mental space in one of the toughest pro sports leagues in the world. Maybe he just has to accept his role.

Even if he never develops superstar skill, he can still be a great piece by dominating physically with the skill he's already shown. Tons of guys have become impactful wingers through sheer power.

 

[RationalExpectations]

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.

That s true but then you don t give him a 8m contract for 8 years if he is a project during 5 of those years.

If I understood correctly Hughes said they drafted him to be a power forward and now he is playing like a Finesse Player and that if he continues to play like that they drafted the wrong player. I think this is a fair assessment, Slaf has strength and can overpower oponents but not in his nature. I think he has a good vision but not the Processing power to consistently make plays at NHL Level. In Junior / in International Games he was a real line driver but he is not showing he can be that yet, he is more a complementary player to Suzuki and CC.

Jury is still out there if he ends up being the correct choice or not.

 

[RationalExpectations]

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.

I don t think how he is not a product of CC and Suzuki when he has been scoring points only when playing with them. However I grant you he has doing better than any other player on that line until now.

 

[BLONG7]

That s true but then you don t give him a 8m contract for 8 years if he is a project during 5 of those years.

If I understood correctly Hughes said they drafted him to be a power forward and now he is playing like a Finesse Player and that if he continues to play like that they drafted the wrong player. I think this is a fair assessment, Slaf has strength and can overpower oponents but not in his nature. I think he has a good vision but not the Processing power to consistently make plays at NHL Level. In Junior / in International Games he was a real line driver but he is not showing he can be that yet, he is more a complementary player to Suzuki and CC.

Jury is still out there if he ends up being the correct choice or not.

The contract......well they may have jumped the gun there, but that said he was a PPG after January once he joined NS and CC last year...........the kid is still finding his way. I do really think he will become the player they hope him to, and am willing to wait another season or two to let him morph into that player.

No reason to think that a 20 year old in his frame with his talent, shouldn't be able to continue to develop and grow into a very good player. I also get, where you are coming from.....the jury is still out.

 

[BLONG7]

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

Almost every player in the league, is guilty of that............excluding the special players, Crosby, Ovie, the Oilers duo, Mackinnon.............I remember a guy with the initials VL getting big contracts his whole career, and he hit 80 pts twice in his career. So, that's very very common for athletes.

That said, his contract hasn't even kicked in yet, and the kid does still have alot to prove.........but remembering it's all happening probably too fast for him, and at 20 he still has a ton of maturing to do.............keeping company with the leaders on this team, like Suzuki, he will get the right type of guidance...

No doubt about it, the pressure will be a little heavier next season with the bigger contract and rightfully so.....let's hope the kid can prove his bosses right.

 

[Hins77]

Slaf plays great: OMG Slaf sooo good, YASSSSSSSS!

Slaf plays bad: GUISE he's only 20yrs old, wait until he's 25 to even talk about him!

I would say. : this fact happen to every young player under 23 years old, except those elite ones. Their effectiveness are up and down. Like, now. You know what Caufield and Guhle will bring you every game. Thats what will happen with Slaf too.