Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky Discussion

[SOLR]

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.

MacKinnon took 3-4 years to get there as well.

He was only PPG in his 5th season.

 

[Skip Bayless]

Recall MacKinnon was being called a “1OA bust” 4-years into his NHL career, just sayin…

MacKinnon is unrecognizable from the player we saw the first few years.

It's crazy what he evolved into.

 

[Andy]

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.

I don't think Slaf has the explosive skating to ever be able to take a development jump like Mackinnon did.

That said, I do think there is an extra gear in terms of consistency. We already know what slaf at the top of his game looks like. If he maintains that pace ever 3/4 games, the habs have a 70 point, power winger.

I'm not at all worried about the development of Slaf's skills. He has them. It's all about game-to-game consistency. He's still a kid, and he has the ethic to achieve it.

 

[ExReHabs]

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…

That’s not what happened. He was never called a bust, not when Yakupov was right there. He didn’t bust and was never at risk of busting.

 

[Rapala]

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.

It's very easy to see what Slaf's influence is and will continue to be going forward if we dissect the winning goal against Florida. None of it happens if Slaf doesn't drive the net. Not only does he get the attention of the Defense it actually helps drag Barkov a Selke quality defender out of position. I love the fact that he's becoming more constant with his net front play. Something some of us pointed out would be his most critical task given he's likely to be on the ice quite often with two wizards in Suzuki and Hutson.

 

[Jaaanosik]

I watch him play.

You have only an interpretation in your mind of how he interprets the game in his mind.

 

[Kennerback]

It's very easy to see what Slaf's influence is and will continue to be going forward if we dissect the winning goal against Florida. None of it happens if Slaf doesn't drive the net. Not only does he get the attention of the Defense it actually helps drag Barkov a Selke quality defender out of position. I love the fact that he's becoming more constant with his net front play. Something some of us pointed out would be his most critical task given he's likely to be on the ice quite often with two wizards in Suzuki and Hutson.

Slaf needs to know what he is. He’s said before he was in the NHL that he wanted to play other positions than net front on the PP. And his one-timer from the right half wall is decent.

But if you’re 240+ pounds your career will be net front. Plus we have players much better suited for the other PP positions. He needs to learn all the intricate details of that position.

 

[Mrb1p]

Slaf needs to know what he is. He’s said before he was in the NHL that he wanted to play other positions than net front on the PP. And his one-timer from the right half wall is decent.

But if you’re 240+ pounds your career will be net front. Plus we have players much better suited for the other PP positions. He needs to learn all the intricate details of that position.

IQ is too low to be a netfront presence IMO. All the best net front players are incredibly fast processors offensively. Perry, Monahan, Tkachukx2, Holmstrom, Hornqvist, etc. All incredibly fast offensive processor. Something that Slaf never will be.

His offensive game should rely on being big, fast, strong, good hands and an amazing shooter. Thompson, Rick Nash, Tuch, Rantanen, Lee, Meier, etc. Sadly he is only two of those things, so his offensive identity will always be questionned.

His path to being a good NHLer belongs on the 2nd line, as someone like Marchment, or Zacha, Bennett, Protas.he just needs to find his niche because his niche will never be "offensive".

 

[Kennerback]

Del

 

[Kennerback]

IQ is too low to be a netfront presence IMO. All the best net front players are incredibly fast processors offensively. Perry, Monahan, Tkachukx2, Holmstrom, Hornqvist, etc. All incredibly fast offensive processor. Something that Slaf never will be.

His offensive game should rely on being big, fast, strong, good hands and an amazing shooter. Thompson, Rick Nash, Tuch, Rantanen, Lee, Meier, etc. Sadly he is only two of those things, so his offensive identity will always be questionned.

His path to being a good NHLer belongs on the 2nd line, as someone like Marchment, or Zacha, Bennett, Protas.he just needs to find his niche because his niche will never be "offensive".

I get where you’re going at 5 on 5. But where should he play instead of net front on the PP? He either plays somewhere or sits.

 

[Miller Time]

You have only an interpretation in your mind of how he interprets the game in his mind.

And not a very good interpretation at that lol

 

[Mrb1p]

I get where you’re going at 5 on 5. But where should he play instead of net front on the PP? He either plays somewhere or sits.

Dont think theres much difference between 5v5 and PP. I think he plays board on the 2nd PP. We desperatly need a body that can get in the paint.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

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

He’s not Neely. That’s a completely different animal.

 

[le_sean]

Awful game but still found a way to get a crucial point. Like Caufield. That’s usually the sign of a good player, that they can play like ass yet still find their way onto the scoresheet.

 

[ahmedou]

SLAF ISN'T A BUST! ANTI-SLAF ARE THE BUSTS!

CALMA HATERS!

WE SLAF NATION!

 

[WeThreeKings]

Awful game but still found a way to get a crucial point. Like Caufield. That’s usually the sign of a good player, that they can play like ass yet still find their way onto the scoresheet.

One of his worst games in recent memory. I found most of the team had a case of bad puck-touch-itis though.

 

[Shutdown]

bad game for sure. but he's the one who dug the puck out of the scrum in the defensive zone and then made a perfect outlet pass to Hutson with under 20 seconds left to get the tying goal.

 

[Tyson]

bad game for sure. but he's the one who dug the puck out of the scrum in the defensive zone and then made a perfect outlet pass to Hutson with under 20 seconds left to get the tying goal.

Good players find a way.

 

[ahmedou]

Slaf's face is like a Montreal Canadiens hardcore fan face!!!

 

[CrazyBob]

I dont know if he will ever be an elite player in the NHL but hes at least a solid 50-60pts offensive player. We already knew he was not McDavid-Mackinnon level of 1st overall pick but hes still pretty good

 

[Hins77]

I dont know if he will ever be an elite player in the NHL but hes at least a solid 50-60pts offensive player. We already knew he was not McDavid-Mackinnon level of 1st overall pick but hes still pretty good

Thanks god we have Slaf.

I remember going on Hockeydb back in the day.
Our top scorer
Gionta 5 ft 7
Camallleri 5 ft 8
Gomez 5 ft 10
Later.
Desharnais 5ft 7
Gallagher 5 ft 9
Plekanec 5 ft 11

Now Slaf is on our top 4
Slafkovsky 6 ft 3

Thats perfect. Lets nit forget we already have, Hutson, Caufield, Suzuki sub 6 ft. Slaf is what we needed. Those guys are not reacheable on trade market. Try to get Landeskog during his prime. Good luck.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Its time Slaf grew a pair and took matters into his own hands in games rather than always deferring to Suzuki and Caufield. He needs to carry the puck to the middle or drive the net. MSL needs to sit him down and tell him to step up. He has it in him. He just doesn't do it and defers to his linemates. Its a confidence thing.

WHen he was paying in the Word Championships with Slovakia, he was the team's only weapon. He drove play. He was confident. He was dominant.

It might be worthwhile putting him on the 2nd line and seeing if he can drive offense.

 

[Miller Time]

I dont know if he will ever be an elite player in the NHL but hes at least a solid 50-60pts offensive player. We already knew he was not McDavid-Mackinnon level of 1st overall pick but hes still pretty good

He had 50pts in his 19-20 year old season & is on track to surpass that in his 20-21 season... Both of which came after very slow starts.

not many of the elite players in the league today were that productive in the NHL at the same age.