Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky discussion

[Kennerback]

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’!

This is where stats watching has its limits. Sens fans absolutely love him. They complain about Stutzle, Sanderson, never about Tkachuk.

 

[shamrun]

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?

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.

 

[Andy]

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!

 

[JIMVINNY]

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]

[...] Becoming a predator [...]

 

[Guy Larose]

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.

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.

 

[ReHabs]

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.

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.

 

[Andy]

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]

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

Man Anderson can sure fly with that physique. Maybe this clip was taken after he had some pizza and beers.

 

[Leto]

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?

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.​

 

[Habssince89]

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

 

[Leto]

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.

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.​

 

[Apfel Struble]

The kid does seem way too hard on himself by calling his season an embarrassment.

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]

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.

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]

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.

 

[River Meadow]

Montreal Canadiens forward Juraj Slafkovsky is proud of his performance in Saturday's victory over the Ottawa Senators, but he thinks he needs to make an impact more consistently to improve on what he views as a disappointing campaign.

"I feel like this season is an embarrassment from my side," Slafkovsky told The Athletic's Arpon Basu. "After the ending of last year - 30 games, 30 points - and then I come out here, and playing like junior hockey and not doing anything.

"I've been thinking about it for two weeks that I've got to change something."

Slafkovsky registered a goal, five shots, eight hits, and a spirited fight with Ridly Greig in Montreal's return from the 4 Nations break. He hopes to use the game as a blueprint moving forward.

"I want this to be my standard every night," Slafkovsky said. "I've just got to do it again."

He added: "You see that it's working, and you just want to keep that. Just have to translate it to next game, because that's been an issue this year."

Canadiens captain Nick Suzuki, who is Slafkovsky's linemate, said in January the former first overall pick is "definitely too hard on himself" when assessing his performances.

Slafkovsky's notched eight goals and 22 assists in 53 games on the campaign, putting him below last season's pace of 50 points. His average ice time (16:52) is also down a full minute from last year.

Montreal is five points back of a wild-card spot in the Eastern Conference.

Mic drop moment.

ReHabs must be in Slaf's ear, because even Slaf himself sure seems to think like him.

I get the blind faith and optimism many fans have, but it's okay to say when a player isn't playing his best or that there's room for improvement.

 

[Deebs]

Mic drop moment.

ReHabs must be in Slaf's ear, because even Slaf himself sure seems to think like him.

I get the blind faith and optimism many fans have, but it's okay to say when a player isn't playing his best or that there's room for improvement.

Absolutely it is and many have.

The key though is not to say it 20 times a day, every day of the week

 

[River Meadow]

Absolutely it is and many have.

The key though is not to say it 20 times a day, every day of the week

Glad we are in agreement.

Progress!

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

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.

We don’t need post whistle chippiness. We need physical play and scoring. I don’t need to see fights or nonsense.

I don’t expect him to be a Tkachuk but I do expect better than what we’ve seen this season.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

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.

Right…. But when players are 20 years old and still finding their game it’s a completely different story.

Do you really not see the difference?

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.

Yeah, patience. What a novel concept.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Mic drop moment.

ReHabs must be in Slaf's ear, because even Slaf himself sure seems to think like him.

I get the blind faith and optimism many fans have, but it's okay to say when a player isn't playing his best or that there's room for improvement.

Who said anything about blind faith? That’s just another strawman that you’ve made up.

Nobody has said he’s a sure thing. Nobody said give it patience and he’ll be a star.

People have simply said that he needs time to develop. Give the guy a f***ing break man. He’s 20 years old and is two or three years away from his prime. If he’s inconsistent when he’s 24 years old, then it’s a different story. He’s still developing his game.

It’s fine to criticize it and say he’s been a bit of a disappointment but saying inconsistent players will always be inconsistent and applying it to a 20 year old is dumb.

 

[River Meadow]

Who said anything about blind faith? That’s just another strawman that you’ve made up.

Nobody has said he’s a sure thing. Nobody said give it patience and he’ll be a star.

People have simply said that he needs time to develop. Give the guy a f***ing break man. He’s 20 years old and is two or three years away from his prime. If he’s inconsistent when he’s 24 years old, then it’s a different story. He’s still developing his game.

It’s fine to criticize it and say he’s been a bit of a disappointment but saying inconsistent players will always be inconsistent and applying it to a 20 year old is dumb.

In this case the blind faith I'm referring to is that it's a very young player with a lot of potential.

Which is totally understandable, but by that token, it's also OK to point out when there are things to improve on, especially it's things with his control day to day, like moving his feet, playing with more energy, more life. Other things like improving his shot, etc, will need more time for sure.

If anyone is saying he's 100% a bust and we should give up on him, then that's stupid, but I think both examples I posted out above are completely valid.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

In this case the blind faith I'm referring to is that it's a very young player with a lot of potential.

Which is totally understandable, but by that token, it's also OK to point out when there are things to improve on, especially it's things with his control day to day, like moving his feet, playing with more energy, more life. Other things like improving his shot, etc, will need more time for sure.

If anyone is saying he's 100% a bust and we should give up on him, then that's stupid, but I think both examples I posted out above are completely valid.

There are absolutely things for him to work on. I don't think anyone is going to say otherwise. And I don't think I've seen anyone say they aren't disappointed with this year. Honestly though, that's mostly because of how good we saw him last year.

Hopefully he can finish strong again.

As an aside, not everyone's going to agree on players. You may like some more than me and vice versa. But this guy isn't fully baked. Maybe he'll be the second coming of KK... I don't know. But we owe him at least a bit of patience.

 

[waitin425]

man he hated snakes!