Kennerback
Registered User
- Jun 2, 2021
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This is where stats watching has its limits. Sens fans absolutely love him. They complain about Stutzle, Sanderson, never about Tkachuk.
Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky discussion
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We need to be patient i think. If you look at hedman it took a while for him to be who he is. I think he was 24...25.
In terms of slaf, I think our scouts saw someone that if he can put it all together he has great potential. Scouts try to guess and that is all. Keep in mind we drafted kotkaniemi over tkachuck at a time we really needed a player like tkachuk. So yea scouts can mess up big time.
Slaf is still a work in progress but he has all the tools and the size. I am not worried about him too much. I have seen enough he just needs consistency. Its not every 1st overall picks that will be a difference maker like mcdavid.
Last game was the perfect example of why everyone needs to be patient.
Slaf is still learning how to use his unique frame effectively at the nhl level.
Again, you need to understand, he's likely never had to use so much physical strength to outmuscle opposition for most of his teenage hockey. As such, it does not come natural to him, and why would it. He did not have to do it. This is why it takes bigger players longer to develop.
He's now playing against other big men and some of the physically strongest players in the world. He's just about to turn 21. It's okay that it takes for him to understand how to play physical on a consistent basis. He's going to have to figure out how to pace himself, position himself, and take the right decisions physically. It's not going to arrive over night.
And I hope those who still doubt is ability finally saw in Ottawa what his unique skill set is. Slaf has high end vision and playmaking ability. He can already make high percentage passes with little time and space. Now imagine the plays he can make when he uses his body to create even more time and space. This turns high end vision into a game breaking skill. And that's only the space he makes for himself. Imagine how much more room Cole and Nick will have to maneuver with the extra time.
He's still scratching the surface. For the love of god be patient!
Slaf is still learning how to use his unique frame effectively at the nhl level.
Again, you need to understand, he's likely never had to use so much physical strength to outmuscle opposition for most of his teenage hockey. As such, it does not come natural to him, and why would it. He did not have to do it. This is why it takes bigger players longer to develop.
He's now playing against other big men and some of the physically strongest players in the world. He's just about to turn 21. It's okay that it takes for him to understand how to play physical on a consistent basis. He's going to have to figure out how to pace himself, position himself, and take the right decisions physically. It's not going to arrive over night.
And I hope those who still doubt is ability finally saw in Ottawa what his unique skill set is. Slaf has high end vision and playmaking ability. He can already make high percentage passes with little time and space. Now imagine the plays he can make when he uses his body to create even more time and space. This turns high end vision into a game breaking skill. And that's only the space he makes for himself. Imagine how much more room Cole and Nick will have to maneuver with the extra time.
He's still scratching the surface. For the love of god be patient!
As much as I like how he played the other night, I don't want him to get 8 hits every game. It's not sustainable, he'll get banged up, and he'll spend way too much time fighting. That he's capable of upping the intensity to play like that is great and will definitely matter when we're a playoff team, but he needs to dial it back a bit to a level he can bring every night without worrying about having to fight all the time.
Tabarouette
ben kin
Guy Larose
Registered User
- Jan 25, 2018
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Matthew is not tough, just an a-hole. Can't win a fight to save his life. Brady picks his fights and is an a-hole.
- Jan 18, 2022
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We saw him kick ass for half a season last year and then we see this one tepid. He's said so himself.
That's the thing with inconsistent players: they're inconsistent, they drive you mad, their hypes lives off flashes of talent.
Patience, ever patience. He's not there yet and if he ever gets there, we'll all instantly know without having to be told about the things he can do.
Ever patience? He's played 175 nhl games. That is barely over 2 seasons worth of games played.
So yes, patience. Too early to tell if the inconsistency has set in.
The Great Weal
Phil's Pizza
- Jan 15, 2015
- 56,555
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Man Anderson can sure fly with that physique. Maybe this clip was taken after he had some pizza and beers.
Leto
Registered User
- Feb 16, 2023
- 1,363
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What makes you think that's the case? We know he's been studying tape of M.Tkachuk, A.Matthews among others with Adam Nicholas. He has compared himself to Rantanen and Hossa. I think he already has a pretty good idea of what his stylistic comparable are. All these comps predate the B.Tkachuk talk.
I don't think its about slaf becoming a tough guy or being intimidating to opponents, maybe that will happen but he doesn't even need to do that. All he needs to do is use brute force to keep plays alive like he did against the sens. Lots of shifts where he just did something simple like poking the puck back into the corner led to prolonged possession. He just has to be a puck hound and the rest will take care of itself. Also, as he grows into his frame (can't believe he has more growing to do) he's going to be a challenge to move in the slot. We saw in his hot streak last year plenty of goals tipped from screening the goalie. I'm really looking forward to seeing him reach another level.
He's gotta talk to gallagher and maybe a sports psychologist/coach just to get that consistent mentality. But if he can learn to be consistent, there's no reason he can't do that every game and create a lot of space for his linemates.
People talk about the importance of Sam Bennett despite him only scoring 45-50ish points a year. I think slaf has it in him to be a richer's man version of that, maybe topping out at PPG in his prime but ultimately being a 65-80pt player who brings unique intangibles and plays well in the playoffs. Sounds like a 1st overall pick in a weaker draft to me.
And having said all that, the sky is the limit for slaf because he's inevitably going to play with high-scoring players and he's still so young that we can't fully predict how much better he may get. I'm keeping my expectations to that 60-80ish window but I know slaf is a player that does stuff off the scoresheet too.
Carolina will be a big test for him after the Ottawa game. Let's see if he can do it 2 games in a row
He's gotta talk to gallagher and maybe a sports psychologist/coach just to get that consistent mentality. But if he can learn to be consistent, there's no reason he can't do that every game and create a lot of space for his linemates.
People talk about the importance of Sam Bennett despite him only scoring 45-50ish points a year. I think slaf has it in him to be a richer's man version of that, maybe topping out at PPG in his prime but ultimately being a 65-80pt player who brings unique intangibles and plays well in the playoffs. Sounds like a 1st overall pick in a weaker draft to me.
And having said all that, the sky is the limit for slaf because he's inevitably going to play with high-scoring players and he's still so young that we can't fully predict how much better he may get. I'm keeping my expectations to that 60-80ish window but I know slaf is a player that does stuff off the scoresheet too.
Carolina will be a big test for him after the Ottawa game. Let's see if he can do it 2 games in a row
Leto
Registered User
- Feb 16, 2023
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While I don't think fighting should become a core component of his play, I am glad that he took matters in his own hands with Greig. Way too often we've seen many players on this roster looking like a deer in headlights when they got challenged or hit, waiting for Xhekaj or Pezzetta to jump on the ice to get retribution. Team toughness starts with every single player standing up for themselves.
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He has a strong penchant for self-flagellation. We all know people like this, very perfectionist, but they tend to get in their own head and spiral. He'll be super intense in the playoffs though. Xhekaj seems to be in the same mold
It's good to have good leadership in the room to guide him with Suzuki, Caufield and Guhle.
The Gr8 Dane
L'harceleur
At the end of the day you always want a guy that cares too much more than a guy that doesn't care enough , both bring a different set of issues , properly channeling that self criticism is the key for Slaf
dackelljuneaubulis02
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- Oct 13, 2012
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Yeah I’d rather he use his giant frame for puck protection purposes honestly. Board work as well. Lay out the body only when necessary.
