Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky discussion

[River Meadow]

Can he be sent down to recover his heart without clearing waivers?

Slaf?!

Stepping foot in the AHL?!?!

May god have mercy on you sir, you are about to feel the wrath of some HFboards posters.

 

[Nedved]

He was the best player on the ice towards the end of last season. Had a 25 game stretch of incredible hockey. I just keep waiting this year. He's not nearly the player he was at the end of 2024.

 

[tazsub3]

He was the best player on the ice towards the end of last season. Had a 25 game stretch of incredible hockey. I just keep waiting this year. He's not nearly the player he was at the end of 2024.

he is getting rid of the puck too quickly, and often with blind passes that get intercepted. dont know if this is purely confidence, but they need to correct that.

 

[BigDaddyLurch]

...Slaf is suffering from exactly what the team is lacking; STRUCTURE...time for a more forceful coaching staff...

 

[1909]

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

Amazing contract for a 40-50 points producer.

 

[CHwest]

Slaf?!

Stepping foot in the AHL?!?!

May god have mercy on you sir, you are about to feel the wrath of some HFboards posters.

It was an honest question, he floats and that needs to be addressed.

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

It was an honest question, he floats and that needs to be addressed.

They can’t run that risk because what if he still sucks in the AHL?

Then we have an AHL player signed at 8x8. It’s much safer to not let any other team know how he would perform against AHL competition if we want to keep his value up

 

[CHwest]

They can’t run that risk because what if he still sucks in the AHL?

Then we have an AHL player signed at 8x8. It’s much safer to not let any other team know how he would perform against AHL competition if we want to keep his value up

I don't know how much value an uninterested player has. I mean the guy should be at the least "one of the Tkachuk brothers light".

 

[Kobe Armstrong]

I don't know how much value an uninterested player has.

As long as he’s on the top line picking up a couple points here and there, much more valuable than a 1st overall who can’t stick in the NHL 3 years post draft

He should’ve been AHL 2 years ago and it’s ridiculous that people here still can’t admit that

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Leo Carlsson is doing worse this year than last.

Adam Fantilli has 2 more points, but 9 more goals than Slaf in 3 more games.

Quinton Byfield is tied in points and had a few more goals

Alexis Lafreniere has 3 more points, 7 more goals.

Will Smith has less points in less games.

The reason I include Fantilli, Carlsson and Smith is due to many people on hf, not just here saying those players could go 1st overall ahead of Slaf.

Byfield, being bigger and a centre the same thing about going ahead of Slaf.

Laf is another 1st overall.

Now, aside from San Jose, all of those teams are better than the Habs. Well, maybe Anaheim and the Habs are equal, point is those teams are producing more and those players likely should be ahead of slaf and some of them get good minutes, too.

While not a 1st overall pick, Adrian Kempe took 6 years from when he was drafted to breakout and I'd love to have slaf be a 30+ goal scorer who can pot 40.

He has his contract, so Habs just gotta wait and be patient, just like us.

Depending on what the Habs do, they have a chance to get a line that rivals the top line with Demidov, a trade and/or free agent signing and then Slaf plays against lesser opponents, more room and easier to use his man body to create room.

Maybe with a full off season of training and starting on time Laine will look different next year.

 

[the valiant effort]

Get him out there with Beck and Gallagher for a few games and see if his first instinct upon puck reception/retrieval remains trying an area pass to Suzuki.

 

[MasterD]

Doesn’t move his feet, doesn’t shoot, is rarely physically engaged in the game. It seems so simple what he needs to do in order to succeed, but he refuses to commit. Disappointing player.

Dude is 20. What had you accomplished at 20?

We won't know what he's really got until he's 22-23 at the earliest.

That gave him the big contract too quick

Fair

and Slaf took the foot off the gas

I don't think so. He wasn't a highly dynamic player before, or after his draft. He's just young, and lost.

 

[MasterD]

That is kinda disingenuous as Caufield would probably have ended-up with close to 60-70 points if he had Marty as coach for the whole season.

1. You/we don't know that
2. Caufield was always more of a point producer compared to Slaf, but Slaf has other tools (that he needs to use more).

 

[BehindTheTimes]

I never heard the reports of him partying it up before, but if true, it would explain a lot. The end of last year he was looking like he would develop into that beast we all hoped for. Not many signs of that player this year.

I’m not proclaiming he’s done or can’t improve, but I’m not going to pretend this season has been a positive outcobe for Slaf. He looks like a passenger on his line 90% of the games this year.

 

[ReHabs]

I never heard the reports of him partying it up before, but if true, it would explain a lot. The end of last year he was looking like he would develop into that beast we all hoped for. Not many signs of that player this year.

I’m not proclaiming he’s done or can’t improve, but I’m not going to pretend this season has been a positive outcobe for Slaf. He looks like a passenger on his line 90% of the games this year.

I said in another thread that the veracity or accuracy of these 'reports' is not the problem because we all know young players like to have a good time. It's largely irrelevant to the on-ice, hockey discussion. Gossip is best ignored.

The problem is when Montreal media -- who are extremely sensitive to the vibes and whims of the Habs organization and would never want to intentionally harm the organization or be put in a position where they lose their access -- decides it is acceptable or appropriate to talk about a player's "party habits". That's a big problem, it means it is an open secret or not-so-secret and they can't be singled out for talking about it.

It isn't that his off-ice lifestyle should necessarily affect his on-ice performances, it is that the city's media would only strike when they feel suitable insulated from blowback. That is to say: his off-ice habits must be prominent enough that the whispers are everywhere. He's a big fella so it's hard to be incognito, I'll give him that.

And I don't think this is a Slafkovsky problem as much as it would be a problem for any player if this whisper campaign picks up. If they can get captain and cup-winning Carbonneau and other local Francophone players in hot water, there's no doubt others can fall victim to it too. Xhekaj needs to be careful too.

 

[cave troll]

Dude is 20. What had you accomplished at 20?

We won't know what he's really got until he's 22-23 at the earliest.

He'll be 22 in 13 months.
It's to short to learn the basics of pro hockey he needs.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

The Bell Center has been a curse.

Bettman probably greased some wheels in the city of Montreal's Urban planification office, so that it would end-up on first nation burial grounds, and one day it will go Ka-poof like this:

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

I never heard the reports of him partying it up before, but if true, it would explain a lot. The end of last year he was looking like he would develop into that beast we all hoped for. Not many signs of that player this year.

I’m not proclaiming he’s done or can’t improve, but I’m not going to pretend this season has been a positive outcobe for Slaf. He looks like a passenger on his line 90% of the games this year.

Like all folks, some hockey players are driven by intrinsic motivation, where their passion for the game drives them to compete day in and day out, the Crosbys and McDavids of this world, whereas others are motivated by extrinsic motivations, which is more often than not wealth and fame. The former have long fruitful careers, whereas the latter peters out once they hit their big payday. There's some inbetween, but most players fall into one or the other.

Slaf is not looking like he's the former.

 

[HespelerGreenFlash]

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


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.


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.

I agree mostly here. But in all fairness, most prognosticators I saw , were expecting 65-70 points from Slaf this year.
It is a disappointment and part of us as fans were hoping that the rebuild is not as far along as we would hope.
I think if the rebuild was showing more promise, then the expectations for Slaf would be tempered a bit.
People are tying Slafs regression to the regression or non advancement of the rebuild and in part blaming him to a degree
Im disappointed , I probably am impatient to see us compete with the big teams again. But I have to realize the kid is so young and needs more time. More time than my patience wants!
Stay cool

 

[cave troll]

It's normal to assume that if a 1OA doesn't make an impact in his rookie season he will do it during his last ELC season. Unfortunately, Slaf looks more like a passenger than an impact player. Doesn't shoot, doesn't compete, thinks slow, plays slower.
Good for us is that we got the real 1OA in 2022 draft. I'm scared that Lane will ask for 10+ millions using Slaf's 7 as an example with simple words like " Look, that guy floats around while I drive the team. I want at least 3 millions more." And then Demidov will ask the same and we'll be in cap s*it in 3 years.

 

[austin316]

Send him to Laval. Maybe he will have more time and space to get some confidence. And please Slaf, try shooting the puck once or twice. He is allergic to shooting. Not a threat at all on the ice and so predictable.

 

[Doublechin]

I haven't changed my mind and doubt I ever will

Going Slaf over Cooley was ridiculous and not just from a BPA POV but also a need POV

We've been starving for top centers yet drafted the project at the wing, the giant winger, the type of player that rarely hits.

Taking Slaf and Reinbacher hurts, we're lucky we landed Demidov and a guy like Hutson but imagine this top 6

Caufield Suzuki Demidov
Leonard Cooley Dach

Next year would have been a blast

 

[Pat Riot]

Slaf hes the only forward with a left hand shot on the PP unit. How come he never get the chance to shoot the puck? He should be able to find some space.

 

[crosbyshow]

Slaf hes the only forward with a left hand shot on the PP unit. How come he never get the chance to shoot the puck? He should be able to find some space.

Yep...not a single attemp this season with the one timer on the pp....unreal.

I would like to know exactly what was his Summer training last Summer... I don't know but he had 5 months to improve or working on his strength technique etc....

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

It's normal to assume that if a 1OA doesn't make an impact in his rookie season he will do it during his last ELC season. Unfortunately, Slaf looks more like a passenger than an impact player. Doesn't shoot, doesn't compete, thinks slow, plays slower.
Good for us is that we got the real 1OA in 2022 draft. I'm scared that Lane will ask for 10+ millions using Slaf's 7 as an example with simple words like " Look, that guy floats around while I drive the team. I want at least 3 millions more." And then Demidov will ask the same and we'll be in cap s*it in 3 years.

We won't be in cap hell even if we were to pay 23 mil per year for Lane and Ivan. Cap is gonna be around 110 mil by then unless there's a massive recession. By then, Price, Gally, Anderson and any clown remnants will be off the cap.

With the numbers you gave, Caufield + Suzuki + Guhle + Hutson + Demidov + Slaf would cost us around 52 mil. We would have around 58 mil for the remaining 17 players, which is quite enough to fit another 8-10 mil player and a few 5 to 6 mil players.