Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky Discussion

[Naslundforever]

It seems a to me like that's what Marty coaches because the whole team seems to enter the zone that way. Gain the blue line, stop at the wall, protect the puck and wait for reinforcements. Though I'm not sure Slaf has that kind of rushing ability in his arsenal.

In any case, inside rushes are getting rare across the league except for elite players because they are low-percentage plays. 4 nations was a perfect example of the direction the league is going : most players either dumped or stayed in the perimeter when crossing the middle of the ice because even though it doesn't create a scoring chance as often, it's a high-percentage play that keeps possession and moves the play towards the opponent's net. That is winning hockey and it's the way the Habs play when they win.

Gally hopefully rubs off how to read and execute those soft-dumps away from the goalie, timed to provoke interference and force the LD to turn around. Slaf should gain possession deep even more often than our 170lb short-armed warrior if he got as good at it lol.

He’s already mile ahead along the boards nowadays from the guy that kept getting run anytime there was a 3rd player on the play. Good game today again.

 

[Jaaanosik]

Slaf, happy birthday!

 

[Jaaanosik]

21 today and showing that he will have multi multi point games in his career.
This guy will be a PPG player in a a couple of seasons.

Not couple, the next year!

 

[Egresch]

1+1 today, he deserves his first US beer in his life. Happy birthday!

 

[LaP]

he deserves his first US beer in his life.

He's not that bad honestly.

 

[MasterD]

Tell me I’m wrong and unfairly tilted against him.

Alright. You are wrong and unfairly tilted against him.

 

[Garbageyuk]

Jesus the whining never stops lmfao

Obviously he's far from a perfect player and its fair to point out where he could improve but some of the criticism is way over the top.

You can really tell certain posters were hurt by Kotkaniemi and Galchenyuk because they were the ones overhyping them and celebrating every routine thing they ever did.

Now, as a result of the hurt, they have subconsciously swung completely to the other side of the spectrum and are irrationally critical and are nitpicking and over-analyzing everything Slafkovsky does or does not do.

Lmao

 

[Jaaanosik]

...

It don’t like it when Slaf plays badly, in fact it frustrates me a ton. I hate how he interprets the game.

How do you know how he interprets the game?

...
Btw: it’s not necessary to constantly state “in my opinion” before producing statements. It’s clearly implied. Who else’s opinion would it be...?

When anybody starts a sentence with "in my opinion" or "it appears to me" or ... similar then it is clear it is one's point of view. It is good for new readers, visitors.
If this is skipped then it comes across as a factual statement and it makes statements to appear as facts, as the only truth.
One appears to be superior.
... and other people see one as full of sh...

It is your choice, do you want to be seen as humble or superior, (full of ...)

 

[ExReHabs]

Alright. You are wrong and unfairly tilted against him.

Great chat, thanks.

 

[ExReHabs]

How do you know how he interprets the game?

I watch him play.

 

[JIMVINNY]

I watch him play.

You should try actually turning on the TV once in a while then. It's clear from your comments that you actually DON'T watch him play, like at all.

 

[Tyson]

Slaf finally hits 21! 3 seasons of development under his belt. He will get stronger and more assertive very soon and will only get better. Not all number 1 picks become MacKinnon but I think Slaf can become a 70 point power forward.
He will only become more and more of a handful as he gains more maturity and strength.

 

[Andy]

Last year he hit 30 assists in 82 games.

He's at 29 in 70 games. A nice improvement.

I'm really liking the way he's been playing, especially without the puck. It is underappreciated how much offense he creates from the d-zone. It's not just that his breakout passes routinely lead to offensive rushes for Nick and Cole, but it's the work that he does to break up plays right before those passes.

Reminds me of Markov where the passes don't look skillful or difficult in any sense, but it's just the way he reads the play when possession changes. It takes a good understanding of the game to anticipate how the play is going to develop and where your teammates are. People like to point to the lack of flashy/fancy skill in order to claim low hockey IQ. It's nonsense. Slaf understands the game very well and it's evident by how many of his smart, quick, and simple plays lead to scoring chances.

I still think he ends up a 70 point winger in a couple of seasons.

 

[Kennerback]

The only interpretation of the game Slaf should have is to plow through, use his strength, shoot, go to the net. His problem is when he starts getting cute, trying to weave a perfect pass. He'll never be Suzuki, Caufield, Laine, Demidov or any other skilled forward.

 

[Skip Bayless]

The only interpretation of the game Slaf should have is to plow through, use his strength, shoot, go to the net. His problem is when he starts getting cute, trying to weave a perfect pass. He'll never be Suzuki, Caufield, Laine, Demidov or any other skilled forward.

Ironically, I feel like his finesse game will improve once he learns how to use his body. I've been saying it for a while, but he should model his game after Draisaitl.

I hope he gets some power skating this summer.

 

[themilosh]

The only interpretation of the game Slaf should have is to plow through, use his strength, shoot, go to the net. His problem is when he starts getting cute, trying to weave a perfect pass. He'll never be Suzuki, Caufield, Laine, Demidov or any other skilled forward.

Slaf is fine.. he's 20yo in his third season and always showing improvement..

He 6'3 220lb... it takes time to properly grow into your body.. i find him on trajectory to become our Big John LeClair.. a 1 man wrecking crew, you don't trade this.. especially for a 5'10" amateur doctor.

 

[Kennerback]

Ironically, I feel like his finesse game will improve once he learns how to use his body. I've been saying it for a while, but he should model his game after Draisaitl.

I hope he gets some power skating this summer.

If you mean his finesse game as in stickhandling or in ability to make a stick to stick pass or catch and release I think he probably will. This is what distinguishes him from Dainius Zubrus.

But his bread and butter is going to be to drive, shoot, crash the net. It requires no intelligence. In fact, he needs to not try to use his intelligence. Leave it all to Hutson or Suzuki to do the cute plays. That shouldn't be his job even if he was drafted 1OA.

 

[Victoire HuGo]

Ironically, I feel like his finesse game will improve once he learns how to use his body. I've been saying it for a while, but he should model his game after Draisaitl.

I hope he gets some power skating this summer.

Basu had an article a few weeks ago about Slaf wanting to implement that Draisaitl does with his free arm to get separation from the opposition.

 

[Kennerback]

Slaf is fine.. he's 20yo in his third season and always showing improvement..

He 6'3 220lb... it takes time to properly grow into your body.. i find him on trajectory to become our Big John LeClair.. a 1 man wrecking crew, you don't trade this.. especially for a 5'10" amateur doctor.

All the problems start when we think or he thinks he should be Yzerman or Adam Oates. He's LeClair or Neely.

 

[themilosh]

All the problems start when we think or he thinks he should be Yzerman or Adam Oates. He's LeClair or Neely.

That's if you list all the talking in heads here.. some takes make sense, others dont.. Slaf is fine.. hes 20 ffs.

 

[ExReHabs]

Basu had an article a few weeks ago about Slaf wanting to implement that Draisaitl does with his free arm to get separation from the opposition.

Another name to add to the list of Slaf inspirations

 

[Skip Bayless]

Basu had an article a few weeks ago about Slaf wanting to implement that Draisaitl does with his free arm to get separation from the opposition.

I think he could also learn from Draisaitl's shooting. Draisaitl to me has never been a guy who dazzled me with his stickhandling or his shot...but I think his main attribute is his intelligence to work around his deficiencies.

Draisaitl doesn't have the best shot off the rush? He uses his snapshot.

Draisaitl doesn't have the best slapper one timer? He invented the snap timer for himself.

Draisaitl is not the most dynamic skater? He uses puck protection to playmake like a God.

If you mean his finesse game as in stickhandling or in ability to make a stick to stick pass or catch and release I think he probably will. This is what distinguishes him from Dainius Zubrus.

But his bread and butter is going to be to drive, shoot, crash the net. It requires no intelligence. In fact, he needs to not try to use his intelligence. Leave it all to Hutson or Suzuki to do the cute plays. That shouldn't be his job even if he was drafted 1OA.

I think his bread and butter should also be buying time and space on the breakout and while installing the attack in the offensive end.

 

[salbutera]

Slaf finally hits 21! 3 seasons of development under his belt. He will get stronger and more assertive very soon and will only get better. Not all number 1 picks become MacKinnon but I think Slaf can become a 70 point power forward.
He will only become more and more of a handful as he gains more maturity and strength.

Recall MacKinnon was being called a “1OA bust” 4-years into his NHL career - all of a sudden at age 22 he jumped from 50pts to 98 pts, just sayin…

 

[Deebs]

Recall MacKinnon was being called a “1OA bust” 4-years into his NHL career - all of a sudden at age 22 he jumped from 50pts to 98 pts, just sayin…

Slaf won't be doing that but he will continue to get better moving forward and by the end of next season, we'll know pretty much what he'll be as a player.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Imagine engaging with Hewy and Dewy on this topic. They've exposed themselves. Take them for what they are. Better to let them yell into the void.