Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky discussion

[Lafleurs Guy]

I do have to say that I hated Wright playoffs. Him too was seen as somewhat lazy. Only Cooley, for me, was worth it based on talent. Thing is in the end..no matter how we slice it, this was not the year to get top picks. And hopefully, we would have been able to trade that pick to get more picks later on. Maybe a 2023 top end pick. But for that to happen, you have to wish that a team would have appreciated 2022 more than we did.

In the end, Slaf pick made sense. What I personnally don't think did was to start him immediately in the NHL AND giving him such an expensive lengthy contract. Now that we are past that....you have to hope that he'll one day wake up and realize what he has.

Agree with you on rushing to the NHL. Not a fan of that and would’ve preferred him getting a year in the minors.

But based on his play form last year I’m okay with the contract and would’ve made the same move. I still think we’re doing to see it as a bargain by the time it’s over.

 

[ahmedou]

Multi-point game specialist!

Slaf gonna multi-point!

 

[Colezuki]

The last few pages of this thread seems super negative but I’ve found his second half has looked a lot like last years. I’ve been happy with his play,

 

[Miller Time]

The last few pages of this thread seems super negative but I’ve found his second half has looked a lot like last years. I’ve been happy with his play,

Once again there are a bunch of posters eager to cook up some serious crow...

 

[TomKosto]

Real nice goal by Slaf, good to see

 

[Erika]

The last few pages of this thread seems super negative but I’ve found his second half has looked a lot like last years. I’ve been happy with his play,

It's always the same few haters that will crawl out of the shadows to blast the kid when he has that occasional bad game. They know who they are... Rehabs leading the charge of course. Quiet night for them unfortunately ...

 

[ReHabs]

It's always the same few haters that will crawl out of the shadows to blast the kid when he has that occasional bad game. They know who they are... Rehabs leading the charge of course. Quiet night for them unfortunately ...

This is a pathetic yarn you insist to spin and this community is left worse for it.

 

[No More Subban]

Some really good times ahead. Him and Demidov at age 23-28 will be must-watch TV.

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

It's always the same few haters that will crawl out of the shadows to blast the kid when he has that occasional bad game. They know who they are... Rehabs leading the charge of course. Quiet night for them unfortunately ...

Just reading this thread randomly , ironic those comments like yours only appears when Slaf does something , the guy who was hungry after the 4 nation tournament who played a great game then turned invisible for 5.

I mean two can play this game of words.
@ReHabs Can tell his opinion about a player if he wants. I almost forgot this board is for discussions from different PoV.

 

[Demigod]

I really like the Slaf post 4 Nations. He use his body to make space and it gives him the little edge he needs to makes play. He really have good visions and he make some really nice play.

Its really nice that he came in front of the media and been honest about his poor play. Since this interview he's been playing with way more intensity and poise.

It just show me that he knows how to be effective has a player. He still very young but he will get more confidence in his play every year and he is gonna be able to be more consistent years after years. Im really optimistic for Slaf. Dont forget that he is really young and big guy takes time to adapt at the speed of NHL.

I project him to be a super effective second liner with unique skills that can produce at least between 65-75 points years but that can impact a game with his big body. Clearly not a ideal first pick, but he will be a key piece for the team for the next 10 years without a doubt.

 

[Egresch]

Just reading this thread randomly , ironic those comments like yours only appears when Slaf does something , the guy who was hungry after the 4 nation tournament who played a great game then turned invisible for 5.

I mean two can play this game of words.
@ReHabs Can tell his opinion about a player if he wants. I almost forgot this board is for discussions from different PoV.

WTF? Between OTT and VAN game, he played 6 games where he had:
2 goals
2 assists
+2
14 shots
26 hits
7 blocks

You seriously call that invisible?

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

WTF? Between OTT and VAN game, he played 6 games where he had:
2 goals
2 assists
+2
14 shots
26 hits
7 blocks

You seriously call that invisible?

Yeah he was often invisible. Compared to his line mates he was. Just need to read the recent GDTs. Alot of people been saying it. He's probablygonna get around 45 points while his line mates are getting 70+ . I think it's normal to be critical of a 1st overall who is already in his third season.

I'm sorry but at this moment Slaf contract starting next season is simply not worth what we be paying. Can he get better yes. Is he the reason why his line his doing well? No.


I think some people gotta see both sides of arguments before just stating random one sided opinions

 

[HuGort]

Slaf has the skill to be a dominate player in league

 

[Breakfast of Champs]

Needs 12 pts in 18 games to match his 50 point total from last year.

I for one said before the season anything under 55 would be a bit disappointing and still believe that. Would love to see him go ppg the last 18 games and get there.

At the end of the day he definitely over-performed the 2nd half of last year. I think on draft day most of us would be satisfied with b2b 50 pt seasons at ages 19-20

 

[salbutera]

Yeah he was often invisible. Compared to his line mates he was. Just need to read the recent GDTs. Alot of people been saying it. He's probablygonna get around 45 points while his line mates are getting 70+ . I think it's normal to be critical of a 1st overall who is already in his third season.

I'm sorry but at this moment Slaf contract starting next season is simply not worth what we be paying. Can he get better yes. Is he the reason why his line his doing well? No.


I think some people gotta see both sides of arguments before just stating random one sided opinions

Really? So what do you believe an $8M in 2028 AAV is? His contract represents inflated cap not todays cap.

FYI, todays $5M-$6M player will be 2028 $8M player….. that’s a 40-50 pts player in todays NHL

 

[FrankMTL]

Clearly the biggest issue with Slaf is his level of consistency....Very few players of his age are able to do it. We put a lot of pressure on him because he was a number 1 overall pick, but it's something all young players have to develop over time. Only a select few are able to play the same way consistently at a very young age. This is actually something I feel Caufield has developed as he was streaky and would disappear for stretches. Now I feel even when he isn't scoring, he's very noticeable pretty much every night.

It will come with time.

 

[BLNY]

Clearly the biggest issue with Slaf is his level of consistency....Very few players of his age are able to do it. We put a lot of pressure on him because he was a number 1 overall pick, but it's something all young players have to develop over time. Only a select few are able to play the same way consistently at a very young age. This is actually something I feel Caufield has developed as he was streaky and would disappear for stretches. Now I fee even when he isn't scoring, he's very noticeable pretty much every night.

It will come with time.

We put pressure on him because we're an impatient society willing to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

No player is drafted based on the type of player you project him to be at 20. That selection is based on what kind of player you project him to be from 23-30 (give or take).

"But Logan Cooley!!!!" Logan has cooled off from his hot start. He plays in relative obscurity in SLC. And no one was picking Logan 1OA, so people with that revisionist hindsight can cool their jets.

"But all players selected 1OA should dominate right away!" No. It took Lafleur a few years to figure it out. Joe Thornton? He was almost run out of Boston when Samsonov looked better early on. Eventually he was. Big body players take time. Players with no previous experience on NA ice take time to adjust to less time and space.

Some people don't know how to live without having something or someone to be angry at.

I believe he will breakout too. It's all there. He just needs to be granted the time to grow up as a player.

 

[Spearmint Rhino]

Slaf will finish his D+3 season more or less tied with the 1OA pick with the 4th most points in NHL history and people still call him a bust. Kid will be a beast when he’s 24

 

[Gaud]

I do have to say that I hated Wright playoffs. Him too was seen as somewhat lazy. Only Cooley, for me, was worth it based on talent. Thing is in the end..no matter how we slice it, this was not the year to get top picks. And hopefully, we would have been able to trade that pick to get more picks later on. Maybe a 2023 top end pick. But for that to happen, you have to wish that a team would have appreciated 2022 more than we did.

In the end, Slaf pick made sense. What I personally don't think did was to start him immediately in the NHL AND giving him such an expensive lengthy contract. Now that we are past that....you have to hope that he'll one day wake up and realize what he has.

I also think Slaf made sense. Never mind that Mtl needed a center and that Cs are worth more in general than Ws - Slaf had character and size. I thought it was a kind of poetic justice that the habs step up to select and basically choose Brady Tkachuk instead of Kotkaniemi this time around.

I think there was also a question of what Wright during the Pandemic when no one played - where some players kept up their training and others played in other countries, Wright reportedly didnt do much. I dont know the reasons, but i got the sense that this was seen as someone just being lazy.

 

[Egresch]

Yeah he was often invisible. Compared to his line mates he was.

Comparing Slaf and Cole in those 6 games, one player is invisible and the other one is amazing. Yeah, sure.

 

[Gaud]

I think the main concern is the identity of Slaf has a player. He’s not a sniper, not a superb playmaker, not a powerfoward. He says he wants to play like Tkachuk but I don’t think you can become that kind of player overnight. You got that in you or you don’t. There’s not too many player like Brady in the NHL, possibly two ? (Him and Wilson)

If we wanted him to be a finesse player, maybe it was better to let him developp in other leagues and not rush him at 18?

I also think he needs to protect himself better. Rarely saw a 230lbs guys getting rock by smurf like Ghostibere, Rossi and Greig.

He reminds me of John Leclair - put him in front of the enemy net and he is an absolute poison. The big difference i see is that JL couldn't skate the puck in the O zone to save his life - he got moved to Philly and ended up on a line with two others that could do that and suddenly we have a Legion of Doom.

I think they want Slaf to have Tkachuk's character, but Tkachuk has more tools in his toolbox. I think MSL wants everyone to play creatively, but it could be that Slaf is just that guy you put in front of the enemy goalie.

 

[417]

We put pressure on him because we're an impatient society willing to throw the baby out with the bathwater.

No player is drafted based on the type of player you project him to be at 20. That selection is based on what kind of player you project him to be from 23-30 (give or take).

"But Logan Cooley!!!!" Logan has cooled off from his hot start. He plays in relative obscurity in SLC. And no one was picking Logan 1OA, so people with that revisionist hindsight can cool their jets.

"But all players selected 1OA should dominate right away!" No. It took Lafleur a few years to figure it out. Joe Thornton? He was almost run out of Boston when Samsonov looked better early on. Eventually he was. Big body players take time. Players with no previous experience on NA ice take time to adjust to less time and space.

Some people don't know how to live without having something or someone to be angry at.

I believe he will breakout too. It's all there. He just needs to be granted the time to grow up as a player.

My daughter would say this post "slayed".

 

[Dagistitsyn]

Great game last night. Hope he finds these with more consistency going forward.

 

[Lshap]

Clearly the biggest issue with Slaf is his level of consistency....Very few players of his age are able to do it. We put a lot of pressure on him because he was a number 1 overall pick, but it's something all young players have to develop over time. Only a select few are able to play the same way consistently at a very young age. This is actually something I feel Caufield has developed as he was streaky and would disappear for stretches. Now I fee even when he isn't scoring, he's very noticeable pretty much every night.

It will come with time.

Well said.

As frustrating as it's been to watch Slafkovsky swing from dominant to clueless, the takeaway is positive, because you can teach kids how to work with their natural talents, but you can't teach natural talent.

Last night's game proves the talent is there. It's up to his maturity and drive to determine how often we see it.

 

[BLNY]

My daughter would say this post "slayed".