Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky discussion

[417]

True. If he plays like this all the time we will all be happy.

That's the thing though, he wont play like this all the time because its not in his nature.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I thought this was pretty widespread "knowledege" but it's still hearsay and rumors

Just multiple small comments on multiple podcasts. The radio-canada guys mentioned something once, basu and godin did too, maybe that loser Snake did too iirc?
It's always just little throwaway "they talked to him and didn't like his reception to criticism" or "he didn't seem to really care about the issues presented to him" type of comments

I'll try to remember to point it out next time I hear one

also might be my own bias because when I hear something along those lines and I look at him, I kinda want to believe it

I’ve never heard anything of the kind.

 

[Team_Spirit]

Wth 3 pages of what looks like dunking on ReHabs I'm not reading all that

 

[CHwest]

That's the thing though, he wont play like this all the time because its not in his nature.

Coach needs to pull him aside before every game and tell him, "breaks over, time to go to work for 3 hrs."

 

[Habs]

I thought this was pretty widespread "knowledege" but it's still hearsay and rumors

Just multiple small comments on multiple podcasts. The radio-canada guys mentioned something once, basu and godin did too, maybe that loser Snake did too iirc?
It's always just little throwaway "they talked to him and didn't like his reception to criticism" or "he didn't seem to really care about the issues presented to him" type of comments

I'll try to remember to point it out next time I hear one

also might be my own bias because when I hear something along those lines and I look at him, I kinda want to believe it

all good, I was curious. I've done the same thing

 

[TT1]

I find he talks a little too much. His comments on Tkachuk's the other day too. Chris Higgins used to have these kinds of quotes too and it didn't end well.

Just let your play do the talking.

it's definitely easier if you just do the work cus you're way more focused/less distracted but talking is just part of his personality and ultimately his game (like the Tkachuk etc)

 

[BehindTheTimes]

That's the thing though, he wont play like this all the time because its not in his nature.

Maybe, maybe not. He doesn’t have to be a monster every night, but just put in a consistent effort. The sky is the limit.

 

[ReHabs]

Maybe, maybe not. He doesn’t have to be a monster every night, but just put in a consistent effort. The sky is the limit.

His talent is the limit, his (sometimes lack of) effort was holding him back from approaching the limit.

I was wrong to think he would wilt in the NHL. He is perfectly capable of playing the right way today and thus playing in the NHL didn’t ruin him. The question now is if he can and will sustain his hustle and shine?

He’s a rare case, most often players are either lacking confidence or athleticism or talent. He might have confidence issues but he doesn’t lack the other two aspects at all. There are doubts about his IQ but I don’t think that will hold him back… it’s the overall toolbox that is in question with him.

He doesn’t track to be a PPG production machine or a bone chewing ogre but he can be a high-impact forward — every Habs fan can see it.

 

[Scriptor]

His talent is the limit, his (sometimes lack of) effort was holding him back from approaching the limit.

I was wrong to think he would wilt in the NHL. He is perfectly capable of playing the right way today and thus playing in the NHL didn’t ruin him. The question now is if he can and will sustain his hustle and shine?

He’s a rare case, most often players are either lacking confidence or athleticism or talent. He might have confidence issues but he doesn’t lack the other two aspects at all. There are doubts about his IQ but I don’t think that will hold him back… it’s the overall toolbox that is in question with him.

He doesn’t track to be a PPG production machine or a bone chewing ogre but he can be a high-impact forward — every Habs fan can see it.

I have less qualms about his hockey IQ than most because of some of the playmaking you see from Slafkovsky. But, maybe that is the lower limit in his tool box, nonetheless.

The shot is good, the vision is good, the playmaking skills are good, the physicality is definitely there, but needs to be refined.

I think that Slafkovsky is perhaps too nice a person to develop the Brady -- I'm a brain cell away from choosing between shitting myself or breathing - Tkachuk mean streak that would elevate his game to a new level. Still, I don't think it will prevent him from having an impact.

 

[sandviper]

I have less qualms about his hockey IQ than most because of some of the playmaking you see from Slafkovsky. But, maybe that is the lower limit in his tool box, nonetheless.

The shot is good, the vision is good, the playmaking skills are good, the physicality is definitely there, but needs to be refined.

I think that Slafkovsky is perhaps too nice a person to develop the Brady -- I'm a brain cell away from choosing between shitting myself or breathing - Tkachuk mean streak that would elevate his game to a new level. Still, I don't think it will prevent him from having an impact.

Agreed. Basu and Godin talked about this on their pod and commented how Tkachuk’s mean streak is simply who he is. It’s innate to him.

Slaf isn’t inherently an asshole (far as I can tell). Playing hard and putting in a consistent effort is coachable though. He can definitely develop and “play” like Brady from a strict hockey sense. All the post whistle stuff, behind the scenes chippiness not.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Agreed. Basu and Godin talked about this on their pod and commented how Tkachuk’s mean streak is simply who he is. It’s innate to him.

Slaf isn’t inherently an asshole (far as I can tell). Playing hard and putting in a consistent effort is coachable though. He can definitely develop and “play” like Brady from a strict hockey sense. All the post whistle stuff, behind the scenes chippiness not.

Considering he said he made this observation himself and thinks his season is an embarrassment I think thaT is a pretty good indicator that he might buyin

 

[417]

Maybe, maybe not. He doesn’t have to be a monster every night, but just put in a consistent effort. The sky is the limit.

For me it's more of a "work smarter, not harder" kind of thing.

He's too good of a player to have so many donuts on the game sheet as it relates to SOGs.

 

[the valiant effort]

It’s kinda funny how Brady’s stock has seemingly never been higher in the midst of a 4 game Sens losing streak and sub-PPG season that saw him go scoreless in 10 straight games a month ago

Going flat out at beer league gets the world noticin’!

 

[OldCraig71]

It’s kinda funny how Brady’s stock has seemingly never been higher in the midst of a 4 game Sens losing streak and sub-PPG season that saw him go scoreless in 10 straight games a month ago

Going flat out at beer league gets the world noticin’!

Sens fans aren't to happy with the idea that he didn't play on Saturday when the team is slipping out of a playoff spot. He gave his all for Team USA and some feel he was coasting leading up to the tournament. I see him getting traded out of Ottawa because of his inconsistencies as team captain.

 

[lillypad33]

Agreed. Basu and Godin talked about this on their pod and commented how Tkachuk’s mean streak is simply who he is. It’s innate to him.

Slaf isn’t inherently an asshole (far as I can tell). Playing hard and putting in a consistent effort is coachable though. He can definitely develop and “play” like Brady from a strict hockey sense. All the post whistle stuff, behind the scenes chippiness not.

In order to be called a "tough" hockey player, you simply have to find guys in vulnerable positions and take your shot. Never let up an opportunity to put in a good cheap shot. This is the nature of the sport, and Slaf has to match it.

 

[417]

It’s kinda funny how Brady’s stock has seemingly never been higher in the midst of a 4 game Sens losing streak and sub-PPG season that saw him go scoreless in 10 straight games a month ago

Going flat out at beer league gets the world noticing’!

Don't get me wrong Brady Tkachuk is a very good player.

But if you don't watch him game to game, and you just tune in when he's being a shit disturber and scoring goals, you think he's awesome because you actually think that kind of play is sustainable from game to game. But its not, even Brady Tkachuk has spells where he's totally invisible just like Slafkovsky (and is worst defensively and undisciplined).

I haven't been following the Habs as much lately, been super busy but I'm really not feeling this "Slaf needs to play like Tkachuk" talk. We're and he, is setting himself up for disappointment.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Don't get me wrong Brady Tkachuk is a very good player.

But if you don't watch him game to game, and you just tune in when he's being a shit disturber and scoring goals, you think he's awesome because you actually think that kind of play is sustainable from game to game. But its not, even Brady Tkachuk has spells where he's totally invisible just like Slafkovsky (and is worst defensively and undisciplined).

I haven't been following the Habs as much lately, been super busy but I'm really not feeling this "Slaf needs to play like Tkachuk" talk. We're and he, is setting himself up for disappointment.

Brady is a guy that will play extremely hard in the playoffs imo , that said he's the type to play a little *too hard* and get hurt like we saw at 4 nations .

Slaf doesn't need to play like Brady but in the post season (If we ever make it) Slaf will need to play his ass off because that's the type of game/environment we drafted him to succeed in.

We've seen games where Slaf does get involved in the crease and on the forecheck quite heavily , So it's not like its something we've NEVER seen from him which is also a positive even if he can't do it for 82 regular season games.

 

[417]

Brady is a guy that will play extremely hard in the playoffs imo , that said he's the type to play a little *too hard* and get hurt like we saw at 4 nations .

Yeah...he plays hard, just not always smart.

He's actually a big reason why the very talented Ottawa Senators team has underachieved the last few years.

Slaf doesn't need to play like Brady but in the post season (If we ever make it) Slaf will need to play his ass off because that's the type of game/environment we drafted him to succeed in.

We've seen games where Slaf does get involved in the crease and on the forecheck quite heavily , So it's not like its something we've NEVER seen from him which is also a positive even if he can't do it for 82 regular season games.

I know people hate to hear/read it, but Slaf is still very young and figuring out the kind of player he will be in the NHL, filling his head with ideas to emulate players he's not at all similar too, will IMO cause crisis of identity.

Why aren't people asking he play like Nikita Kucherov or Miko Rantanen or Jaromir Jagr ? Why is it because he's big like Brady Tkachuk, he has to play the same way even though they have two entirely different personalities?

It's just odd to me, when they drafted him, they didn't draft him thinking "Damn, that's the next Brady Tkachuk".

 

[Captain97]

The point is we lose no matter what. When he fights WE LOSE.

While he shouldn't fight often but if he drops the gloves once or twice a year it's part of the game of the type of player we want him to be. Power forwards fight sometimes.

 

[Tabarouette]

I'm just really bothered by this soon-to-be 21 year old 1st overall finishing his 3rd season trying to figure out who he should copy his homework off of. Figuring out what your style in the NHL is and looking at other guys is fine, but for a 1st overall specifically it's a little late to have an existential crisis...

regardless of the talent difference I doubt Celebrini wakes up at night thinking about Rantanen you know what I mean, he was drafted because he plays like Celebrini (who copied his homework on his favorite players growing up for sure) and that's why they picked him

where's the something our scout saw in him? otherwise did they really gamble it all on a blank slate at 1st?

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

I'm just really bothered by this soon-to-be 21 year old 1st overall finishing his 3rd season trying to figure out who he should copy his homework off of. Figuring out what your style in the NHL is and looking at other guys is fine, but for a 1st overall specifically it's a little late to have an existential crisis...

regardless of the talent difference I doubt Celebrini wakes up at night thinking about Rantanen you know what I mean, he was drafted because he plays like Celebrini (who copied his homework on his favorite players growing up for sure) and that's why they picked him

where's the something our scout saw in him? otherwise did they really gamble it all on a blank slate at 1st?

Cooley has weaknesses , Wright would have been completely crucified in Montreal during his D+1 D+2. Its not like we passed on a guy like Celebrini or Bedard

 

[CHwest]

Brady is a guy that will play extremely hard in the playoffs imo , that said he's the type to play a little *too hard* and get hurt like we saw at 4 nations .

Slaf doesn't need to play like Brady but in the post season (If we ever make it) Slaf will need to play his ass off because that's the type of game/environment we drafted him to succeed in.

We've seen games where Slaf does get involved in the crease and on the forecheck quite heavily , So it's not like its something we've NEVER seen from him which is also a positive even if he can't do it for 82 regular season games.

I'd rather Slaf played like Leclair than either of the A-hole brothers. Tough does not mean trying to hurt players, or being a J-azz, just means going to the tough areas and not backing away from physical play which I believe he can have in him. If I was going to ask him to emulate a player it would be Jagr and how he used his size, strength and rather large ass.

 

[sampollock]

I'd rather Slaf played like Leclair than either of the A-hole brothers. Tough does not mean trying to hurt players, or being a J-azz, just means going to the tough areas and not backing away from physical play which I believe he can have in him. If I was going to ask him to emulate a player it would be Jagr and how he used his size, strength and rather large ass.

Agreed
Become our LeClair would be the best case

 

[ReHabs]

Cooley has weaknesses , Wright would have been completely crucified in Montreal during his D+1 D+2. Its not like we passed on a guy like Celebrini or Bedard

Every young player has weaknesses, Slaf is no exception, and Slaf wasn't crucified at any point despite how badly he played and his bad efforts too often, so I'm not sure either of your claims work.

I'm just really bothered by this soon-to-be 21 year old 1st overall finishing his 3rd season trying to figure out who he should copy his homework off of. Figuring out what your style in the NHL is and looking at other guys is fine, but for a 1st overall specifically it's a little late to have an existential crisis...

regardless of the talent difference I doubt Celebrini wakes up at night thinking about Rantanen you know what I mean, he was drafted because he plays like Celebrini (who copied his homework on his favorite players growing up for sure) and that's why they picked him

where's the something our scout saw in him? otherwise did they really gamble it all on a blank slate at 1st?

My impression is that hockey was always easy for Slaf so he never really had to model his game over anyone or think too hard about it. The Habs liked this about him and think if he gets sharper/more mature the game will come to him as it did throughout his career. I don't tend to agree tbh.

 

[Rapala]

I'm just really bothered by this soon-to-be 21 year old 1st overall finishing his 3rd season trying to figure out who he should copy his homework off of. Figuring out what your style in the NHL is and looking at other guys is fine, but for a 1st overall specifically it's a little late to have an existential crisis...

regardless of the talent difference I doubt Celebrini wakes up at night thinking about Rantanen you know what I mean, he was drafted because he plays like Celebrini (who copied his homework on his favorite players growing up for sure)

I don't look at it like this at all. Had Slaf grown up in North America he'd probably already be a Holy Terror.
Checking properly is an art and a skill Slaf has to master if he's to become the player we thought we drafted.
The fact that the conversations are with our "Skills" coach should be proof enough for most that he's being asked to learn new techniques. It's not only about contact it's more about his play after contact. Becoming a predator around the net is the end game as is learning how to cruise that space comfortably and with proper timing.