Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky Discussion

[BehindTheTimes]

I’m slightly disappointed with Slaf, but I think he is going to be fine. A potential monster down the road, who knows. I don’t think we need to bash other players, especially those who have outperformed Slaf to try and prop him up. He will either carry to milk or he won’t. I think his progress was a bit disappointing, but I am willing to concede it may be my expectations that are off. He’s part of the solution going forward imo.

 

[Saundies]

Said it in the GDT against the Leafs but he's got to start moving his feet. He's not skilled enough (yet) to coast everywhere and look for finesse plays. He's 6 freaking 3 (4 maybe). He needs to start playing like it.

Cross the blue line and attack, don't stop up and look for Cole/Nick for 10 seconds every time. On the PP, take the puck down low and drive toward the net.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Y'all tripping so hard jesus christ Still room to improve still room to grow , has shown flashes , people will probably cry and lose it on him if he dosen't have a great playoffs (if we make it)

 

[Toene]

Y'all tripping so hard jesus christ Still room to improve still room to grow , has shown flashes , people will probably cry and lose it on him if he dosen't have a great playoffs (if we make it)

Nah, he was selected 1st overall for his body + talent package, he's not using either right now. He deserves the criticism. He's regressed from last year.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Nah, he was selected 1st overall for his body + talent package, he's not using either right now. He deserves the criticism. He's regressed from last year.

Yeah but Body+Physical consistency is arguably the longest thing to develop for any player at any size. It's why big guys take longer to get consistent in the league , that's just my opinion though , I think it's still too early to get the pitchforks out. Not saying he dosen't deserve criticism in certain parts of his game I just don't think he deserves criticism for not having 5 hits a night consistantly

 

[Doom Bot]

He literally needs to flip one switch in his brain and that's it. He has every tool and physical attribute imaginable. Literally needs a little earpiece that repeats "Move your f***ing feet" on a loop every time he touches the puck. Whenever he's been on a good streak like end of last season he's moving his feet and not thinking so much.

 

[MasterD]

Him and Laine stick out like sore thumbs on the pp1 with Nick, Cole and Hutson zipping the puck around with quick intelligent plays. Neither of them process or execute the game at that speed.

While not as good, obviously, Laine plays the PP exactly like Ovechkin does.

If Laine doesn't "process or execute the game at that speed", you're saying Ovechkin "doesn't process or execute the game at that speed". I seriously doubt that's a good take.

 

[Frank Drebin]

While not as good, obviously, Laine plays the PP exactly like Ovechkin does.

If Laine doesn't "process or execute the game at that speed", you're saying Ovechkin "doesn't process or execute the game at that speed". I seriously doubt that's a good take.

If that’s what you want to conclude from what i said go for it

 

[morhilane]

Yeah but Body+Physical consistency is arguably the longest thing to develop for any player at any size. It's why big guys take longer to get consistent in the league , that's just my opinion though , I think it's still too early to get the pitchforks out. Not saying he dosen't deserve criticism in certain parts of his game I just don't think he deserves criticism for not having 5 hits a night consistantly

Anderson said last year that it is impossible to play physical every shifts and every games in a 82 seasons. It drains too much energy.

And I think that Slaf's problem right now. He was a wrecking ball in the games following the 4-Nations and he ran out of stamina (like most of the team really).

 

[Saundies]

He literally needs to flip one switch in his brain and that's it. He has every tool and physical attribute imaginable. Literally needs a little earpiece that repeats "Move your f***ing feet" on a loop every time he touches the puck. Whenever he's been on a good streak like end of last season he's moving his feet and not thinking so much.

It'll go off for like 2-3 games and then he stops again. It went off after the 4 nations after watching Tkachuk, now he's back to floating and looking around.

 

[CzarDemidov]

Bro using Cooley as an escape goat. If that's not screaming insecurity I don't know what is.

You’ve seen his prospect predictions and analysis. In his case some insecurity is probably necessary.

Yeah but Body+Physical consistency is arguably the longest thing to develop for any player at any size. It's why big guys take longer to get consistent in the league , that's just my opinion though , I think it's still too early to get the pitchforks out. Not saying he dosen't deserve criticism in certain parts of his game I just don't think he deserves criticism for not having 5 hits a night consistantly

You have to be more precise about what is being criticized (and what is perceived as lacking from his performances).

I don’t want him to throw 5 hits a night every night and I don’t think this is a common criticism. 5 shots on goal, yes. He doesn’t shoot enough, he takes too long to make reads and plays, he is simply disengaged too often.

These criticisms date back to his draft year.

 

[Naslundforever]

Anderson said last year that it is impossible to play physical every shifts and every games in a 82 seasons. It drains too much energy.

And I think that Slaf's problem right now. He was a wrecking ball in the games following the 4-Nations and he ran out of stamina (like most of the team really).

I also think the playoff push adrenaline has worn off which makes them the 2nd best team on the ice most shifts again. Hopefully #93 brings some energy and guys like Suzuki (and Slaf) can breathe a bit before game #1 vs caps

Assuming they make the playoffs.

 

[EtLeBut2]

Bro using Cooley as an escape goat. If that's not screaming insecurity I don't know what is.

Suzuki has 35 points in 24 games since the four nation
Hutson has 35 points in 24 games
Caufield has 19 points in 24 games
Slaf has 19 points in 24 games.
Laine has 15 points in 24 games.

Why does Slaf is not PPG ? By your logic adding a player = more points.
Laine plays with 2 braindead players and he's 4 points behind Slaf and Caufield
Slaf has been playing every games with Suzuki Caufield and Hutson .

He has 9 goals since the four nation with 2 of the best playmakers in the league since the tournament.

Points are not everything , but Slaf did not progressed at all since the start of the season. He's pacing at the same result as last season. While his linemates are getting high career seasons.

Perhaps Slafkovsky positioning is not that good , his shots are not that good. His passing plays need works to even be on that first line to begin with. He's been playing on the first by default because there is 0 competition behind him.

Perhaps someone pushing his ass will make him go further.

He's not the reason why habs are making playoffs
He's not the cataclyst of the Suzuki line , in contrary he's getting heavily carried.

''he's only 20 year olds''

He has played 200 games in the NHL let's stop with this ''bro hes new to the league LOOOOL''

It's his 3rd full season in the league.

It's like the kid is immune to criticizing. This guy is about to get paid as the same salary as Suzuki , I think he should be judged like everyone else on this team.

Hutson was pure ass defensively this early season and he improved greatly since then.
I don't see that curve at all with Slaf at this moment.

Also hard truth , Cooley at this moment is a far better player than him and we would be a better team with him at this moment if we were to exchange them.

Nothing wrong saying that , that's just hockey.

It's exactly this.

There's evidence we're seeing Slafkovsky at his peak already, a common risk when it comes to players who are physical specimens who don't know how to play hockey.

You’ve seen his prospect predictions and analysis. In his case some insecurity is probably necessary.


You have to be more precise about what is being criticized (and what is perceived as lacking from his performances).

I don’t want him to throw 5 hits a night every night and I don’t think this is a common criticism. 5 shots on goal, yes. He doesn’t shoot enough, he takes too long to make reads and plays, he is simply disengaged too often.

These criticisms date back to his draft year.

That's the problem, his strengths and weaknesses continue to be the same as before he was drafted.

That was always the worry with him, he's a physical beast who can and has looked dominant in multi game stretches only to disappear for a long time after that.

The cliche that big players need longer to develop is true, especially the ones drafted for their size more than their finished product. But the other part of this equation is that for every successful project power forward, a lot end up as busts.

Slaf at least isn't a total bust but I worry he might actually be a lot closer to his ceiling than many want to admit - he's young but he's been a pro hockey player for a while now and seems to fall into the same patterns every year. Development can only go so far if he lacks the mental side of the game or cannot figure out how to remain an active offensive player.

 

[WeThreeKings]

It's exactly this.

There's evidence we're seeing Slafkovsky at his peak already, a common risk when it comes to players who are physical specimens who don't know how to play hockey.

That's the problem, his strengths and weaknesses continue to be the same as before he was drafted.

That was always the worry with him, he's a physical beast who can and has looked dominant in multi game stretches only to disappear for a long time after that.

The cliche that big players need longer to develop is true, especially the ones drafted for their size more than their finished product. But the other part of this equation is that for every successful project power forward, a lot end up as busts.

Slaf at least isn't a total bust but I worry he might actually be a lot closer to his ceiling than many want to admit - he's young but he's been a pro hockey player for a while now and seems to fall into the same patterns every year. Development can only go so far if he lacks the mental side of the game or cannot figure out how to remain an active offensive player.

Yet everyone around him speaks to how he continues to pick up more and add more to his game.

 

[TomKosto]

He literally needs to flip one switch in his brain and that's it. He has every tool and physical attribute imaginable. Literally needs a little earpiece that repeats "Move your f***ing feet" on a loop every time he touches the puck. Whenever he's been on a good streak like end of last season he's moving his feet and not thinking so much.

Maybe losing his spot on the first PP/line to Demidov can light a fire under his ass.

 

[EtLeBut2]

Yet everyone around him speaks to how he continues to pick up more and add more to his game.

The kid definitely gets praise which is one reason I don't think it's ever been an effort thing for him - but would you really say he's noticably improved compared to last year? Perhaps his playmaking, although Suzuki and Caulfeld having career seasons helps that (for what it's worth I don't think he's a boat anchor on that line - one reason I still believe he will remain a useful player even though I don't think he's a first liner)

 

[WeThreeKings]

The kid definitely gets praise which is one reason I don't think it's ever been an effort thing for him - but would you really say he's noticably improved compared to last year? Perhaps his playmaking, although Suzuki and Caulfeld having career seasons helps that (for what it's worth I don't think he's a boat anchor on that line - one reason I still believe he will remain a useful player even though I don't think he's a first liner)

I think he's improved his physical play and getting pucks off walls and making better passes to his linemates. There's still work to do on getting inside more and more consistency is required on moving his feet.

 

[Toene]

Yeah but Body+Physical consistency is arguably the longest thing to develop for any player at any size. It's why big guys take longer to get consistent in the league , that's just my opinion though , I think it's still too early to get the pitchforks out. Not saying he dosen't deserve criticism in certain parts of his game I just don't think he deserves criticism for not having 5 hits a night consistantly

Saying he needs to be better =/= pitchforks. I like Slaf, I'm glad he's on the Habs. He still needs to show significantly more. He should be going balls-to-the-walls every shift. I'm not looking for results on the scoresheet, just not the baby-shit-soft plays he's been doing lately.

 

[CzarDemidov]

The kid definitely gets praise which is one reason I don't think it's ever been an effort thing for him - but would you really say he's noticably improved compared to last year? Perhaps his playmaking, although Suzuki and Caulfeld having career seasons helps that (for what it's worth I don't think he's a boat anchor on that line - one reason I still believe he will remain a useful player even though I don't think he's a first liner)

I think he’s gotten better at doing some of the subtle things better — he was laughably bad against the boards in his rookie season — but he’s a top picked draftee and still has the same glaring weaknesses and still has those pitfall games where nothing goes right. I don’t care that he’s making better passing decisions, I EXPECT that from a player drafted so high.

This is what is so farcical about the “development isn’t linear” argument imo. No one can say how he will develop and what it will look like because the future is unwritten.

The fact is that we see perfectly well what he’s gaining with experience and maturity and ice time and we can see what he’s NOT gaining. It looks a lot like he is in fact developing linearly.

I think the risk is he will remain fundamentally inconsistent whereas optimists will insist that the sum of all his qualities will tip the balance of his in-game impact over. I hope so.

Prediction for the playoffs: there is virtually no way he disappears or disappoints in the playoffs. He will throw his body around and drive to the net and have us all falling in love with him multiple times over.

 

[Rapala]

I’m slightly disappointed with Slaf, but I think he is going to be fine. A potential monster down the road, who knows. I don’t think we need to bash other players, especially those who have outperformed Slaf to try and prop him up. He will either carry to milk or he won’t. I think his progress was a bit disappointing, but I am willing to concede it may be my expectations that are off. He’s part of the solution going forward imo.

Slaf's been fine he still has a ton of detail work to do which is normal at his age. I think his coordination is starting to catch up with his frame which only bodes well for his physical game. No one can complain about his compete level and the finer details are what will give him greater value when he doesn't have his "A" game. Getting him to raise his floor is where we are at.

 

[CzarDemidov]

Saying he needs to be better =/= pitchforks. I like Slaf, I'm glad he's on the Habs. He still needs to show significantly more. He should be going balls-to-the-walls every shift. I'm not looking for results on the scoresheet, just not the baby-shit-soft plays he's been doing lately.

The good news is he was embarrassed by his game this season.

If he continues to want to eschew the soft Euro stereotypical style play and engage with a more physical and aggressive game, it’ll have a huge impact and effect.

Basically speaking: since it seems his will is there and everyone in the organization wants him to play this way, everything is aligned. We should be cautiously optimistic.

But it hasn’t happened yet and until it happens I think it’s perfectly fine to express criticism when he plays like a bozo in the meantime.

 

[rik schau]

Suzuki helped add a couple million per year at the very least.

-Right you are, it's as obvious as the blinding sheen coming from Hughes luminous reptilian skinhead. Don't see what was so urgent to give Slowfootsky that deal without earning it, but some only want to look at the positives of what he does and not the overall game. Rather typical around here from what I take in,but then again I'm not a Kool-Aid drinker.lol

 

[rik schau]

Y'all tripping so hard jesus christ Still room to improve still room to grow , has shown flashes , people will probably cry and lose it on him if he dosen't have a great playoffs (if we make it)

Flashes? every player shows flashes. Can you and the other fanboys honestly say he deserved that extension?

 

[River Meadow]

He literally needs to flip one switch in his brain and that's it. He has every tool and physical attribute imaginable. Literally needs a little earpiece that repeats "Move your f***ing feet" on a loop every time he touches the puck. Whenever he's been on a good streak like end of last season he's moving his feet and not thinking so much.

Tbf,

They said the very same about Danius Zubrus.

 

[schwang26]

Said it in the GDT against the Leafs but he's got to start moving his feet. He's not skilled enough (yet) to coast everywhere and look for finesse plays. He's 6 freaking 3 (4 maybe). He needs to start playing like it.

Cross the blue line and attack, don't stop up and look for Cole/Nick for 10 seconds every time. On the PP, take the puck down low and drive toward the net.

Ya so much for Brady Slafchuk