Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky Discussion

[FerrisRox]

You didn't post after either of his two previous games, which could generously be called "bad games" by any fair commentator.

He had ten shots in those two games and played a steady physical game no "fair" commentator would claim he played poorly. What are you talking about?

 

[417]

A prospect’s development progress should be measured over a long sample.

Is Slaf better today at 20 than he was when he came into the NHL at 18?

I’d say yes, considerably and I think most would agree.

But if you’re just going to look at progress in cherry picked segments, than you can argue it either way depending on what your take is.

Consistency is something even veterans of 7-8+ years strive for, so I’m not quite sure that’s an argument against Slafkovsky.

He’s on the right track, there’s really not much more you could ask for and the best news is there’s so much more room for improvement.

 

[Miller Time]

We drafted 2 x 1st overalls and a 3rd 1st overall 2 years later

Slafkovsky 1st overall level talent
Hutson 1st overall level talent
Demidov 1st overall level talent

I would say we got VERY lucky in our rebuild

We have a very strong management group that has a clear vision & deep understanding of the multi layer variables required to build a culture of excellence... While you can't force luck, you can certainly take steps to improve serendipity, and they've done that since day 1

I suspect that within the next 2-4 years, that list of "lucky" player acquisition is going to get longer
(Fowler, FloX, Konyuskov, Volhokin, Hage, Kapanen et. give the org a number of prospects with ceilings that may take them to the top group of their respective draft years once/if they hit their stride as NHL regulars, not unlike Hutson already has.)

 

[Guy Larose]

He had ten shots in those two games and played a steady physical game no "fair" commentator would claim he played poorly. What are you talking about?

He has to have a hat trick every game and 10 hits. Anything else and he's a bust.

 

[JIMVINNY]

We have a very strong management group that has a clear vision & deep understanding of the multi layer variables required to build a culture of excellence... While you can't force luck, you can certainly take steps to improve serendipity, and they've done that since day 1

I suspect that within the next 2-4 years, that list of "lucky" player acquisition is going to get longer
(Fowler, FloX, Konyuskov, Volhokin, Hage, Kapanen et. give the org a number of prospects with ceilings that may take them to the top group of their respective draft years once/if they hit their stride as NHL regulars, not unlike Hutson already has.)

If this core of players in 3 years were all subject to a redraft in their respective years, I think a lot of them would end up higher than they were taken. Caufield and Hutson are obvious, but I suspect that Suzuki would move up a few spots, and if Guhle can stay healthy, so will he. RB and Demidov look to both be the real deal, and Fowler and Hage look very promising. Slafkovsky can't exactly move up, but he's shown flashes that he was a very worthy #1 pick. This organization appears to have learned how to identify and develop real talent, with the development being the far more important part.

I think that's where the last management team really lost their way. Too many of their picks seemed to stagnate and even regress. Some have found success with other organizations that they didn't with the Habs so I wonder if player development just wasn't being handled properly. Most of the core HuGo inherited seem to have made significant progress in the last 3 years, and while they certainly aren't infallible (Dach), it's hard to say how that would have turned out without the injuries.

 

[The Great Weal]

Once he figures out consistency he will be a force. I'm gladly eating crow on him.

 

[Scintillating10]

Since 4 nations, Slaf is 13-8-5-13.

 

[CristianoRonaldo]

FC Barcelona called they offer 400M

View attachment 997947

Slafkovsky for Yamal.

 

[BLONG7]

Heading for 50 pts again, probably 55................leading the team in hits.
Turns 21 next week folks.........
We all should be very happy!!!

 

[BullLund]

Big, strong, fast, part of one of NHL's best lines right now, can't see any reason not to be happy with the guy.

Does of a lot of the gritty work that goes unappreciated as well.

To increase his production, I think he needs to figure out a spot on the PP where he can contribute more. Right now he's kind of just being a body in there. Not necessarily his fault, the coaches also need to figure that out.

 

[KevSkillz4]

We drafted 2 x 1st overalls and a 3rd 1st overall 2 years later

Slafkovsky 1st overall level talent
Hutson 1st overall level talent
Demidov 1st overall level talent

I would say we got VERY lucky in our rebuild

Yes, getting Hutson and Demidov at 62 and 5, that's a huge luck haha!!

Maybe not 1st overall talents, but Hage and Fowler have potential to be gamebreakers aswell. Reinbacher sound a total stud too.

Habs management//scouts nailed it in 3 years tanking drafts.

 

[SuzukiSZN]

Big, strong, fast, part of one of NHL's best lines right now, can't see any reason not to be happy with the guy.

Does of a lot of the gritty work that goes unappreciated as well.

To increase his production, I think he needs to figure out a spot on the PP where he can contribute more. Right now he's kind of just being a body in there. Not necessarily his fault, the coaches also need to figure that out.

He did very well on the right half wall last season

 

[BullLund]

He did very well on the right half wall last season

Well, the right side is wide open now because every team seems to have a guy swarming Laine. They should figure out some set plays from the right side which utilizes the shot of Colefield, Suzuki or Slaf. All of those guys can shoot.

There's no need to try to force it through Laine if the play just isn't there.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

That first line is elite
We could potentially have another elite line in Laine - x - Demidov next season

 

[ExReHabs]

He had ten shots in those two games and played a steady physical game no "fair" commentator would claim he played poorly. What are you talking about?

If you don’t watch the games I don’t think it makes one eligible to comment on the quality of the player’s performance.

 

[Shutdown]

I missed the third period against the Sens, how did he fare in a rivalry type game?

If you don’t watch the games I don’t think it makes one eligible to comment on the quality of the player’s performance.

noted

 

[WeThreeKings]

Big, strong, fast, part of one of NHL's best lines right now, can't see any reason not to be happy with the guy.

Does of a lot of the gritty work that goes unappreciated as well.

To increase his production, I think he needs to figure out a spot on the PP where he can contribute more. Right now he's kind of just being a body in there. Not necessarily his fault, the coaches also need to figure that out.

He needs to walk out and shoot or put pucks on the feet of the goalie rather than trying to force the pass to Caufield every time.

 

[Saundies]

He needs to walk out and shoot or put pucks on the feet of the goalie rather than trying to force the pass to Caufield every time.

His second goal on Saturday looks like he's starting to get in that headspace a little more. He looked Nick off who was clearly signalling for a pass.

He plays on the first line with our best players but that doesn't mean that he has to always be looking to pass to them and never take his own chances. I think he's waking up (and doesn't go back to sleep when this season is over and next season resets).

 

[Andy]

His passing while fighting off a defender along the boards is definitely 100% reminiscent of Jumbo Joe.

I feel like this part of Slaf's game is super underrated, underappreciated, and seldom talked about. Do you know how hard it is to make tight angle, accurate passes through seams while a defender is pinning you to the boards? Not only does he make these deft plays, he does it while being super calm.

It's not a sexy skill like McDavid skating end-to-end and blowing by the world's best defenders, but I don't think y'all realize just how difficult and skillful making those type of passes are, especially while being pinned. It's a legit an ELITE level skill.

 

[SuzukiSZN]

His passing while fighting off a defender along the boards is definitely 100% reminiscent of Jumbo Joe.

I feel like this part of Slaf's game is super underrated, underappreciated, and seldom talked about. Do you know how hard it is to make tight angle, accurate passes through seams while a defender is pinning you to the boards? Not only does he make these deft plays, he does it while being super calm.

It's not a sexy skill like McDavid skating end-to-end and blowing by the world's best defenders, but I don't think y'all realize just how difficult and skillful making those type of passes are, especially while being pinned. It's a legit an ELITE level skill.

His play in the neutral zone is underrated too. He makes smart plays to get it to Suzuki or Caufield to get them on 2 on 1’s

 

[bcv]

Delete

 

[Goalfield22]

His passing while fighting off a defender along the boards is definitely 100% reminiscent of Jumbo Joe.

I feel like this part of Slaf's game is super underrated, underappreciated, and seldom talked about. Do you know how hard it is to make tight angle, accurate passes through seams while a defender is pinning you to the boards? Not only does he make these deft plays, he does it while being super calm.

It's not a sexy skill like McDavid skating end-to-end and blowing by the world's best defenders, but I don't think y'all realize just how difficult and skillful making those type of passes are, especially while being pinned. It's a legit an ELITE level skill.

Man, I have called him the winger version of Joe so many times in this thread. I am glad others are seeing it too. People said he had low IQ during that time lol. Slaf was generating chances 5v5 all the damn time and would often be the reason for a goal without showing up on the stat sheet. This is why I wasn't worried about him. He just needed to add more jam to his game and go to the net more.

Even when he was just using some of his skillset, he was the best player to play with Nick and Cole. He deserved his spot with them. They suffered without him.

 

[WeThreeKings]

His play in the neutral zone is underrated too. He makes smart plays to get it to Suzuki or Caufield to get them on 2 on 1’s

He needs to attack the middle more when carrying the puck in, I noted earlier what he needs to do on the powerplay.. and I'd like to see more instances of a shoulder drive to get inside around the net rather than always going behind the net and swinging a pass out in front.

 

[Jaaanosik]

If you can’t handle opposing views maybe it is you who needs to grow up.

He’s looking really good lately. He wasnt looking great for a long stretch, but looks like that stretch is over.

Let’s get in the playoffs, maybe he will show his true value there.

Coaches will tell him each series is like the Olympics.
We can expect 7 goals per round!

 

[le_sean]

He needs to attack the middle more when carrying the puck in, I noted earlier what he needs to do on the powerplay.. and I'd like to see more instances of a shoulder drive to get inside around the net rather than always going behind the net and swinging a pass out in front.

That just comes with confidence and experience. He’s doing exactly what the coaches want him to do on the PP. The problem, and that goes for the rest of the guys on the PP, is that they should take what’s given to them. Right now it’s just everyone looking for Laine, and when he’s covered, they look like shit.

The 5 on 3 against the Avs was the perfect example. Looking for a specific play and they just shoot themselves in the foot.