Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky Discussion

[Andy]

31 in 48 games, yeah

I’m looking at the production pace of the first four seasons of Hischier, MacKinnon, RNH, Laf, and outside their 18 year old season, they all have very comparable paces.

We need to stop pretending that Slaf is some 1oa production outlier. He’s much closer to the above group than Yakupov. Your post is just disingenuous.

There is just so much dishonesty around Slaf’s game among his detractors right now and it stems 100% from the fact that the habs didn’t pick who they wanted, which in most cases was Shane Wright.

 

[Ozmodiar]

Last Season. It was Other(/Armia) net front, Caufield left, Slaf right, Suzuki bumper, Matheson point. This is when Slafkovsky was most productive as he had a heavy one-timer. (It’s Slaf natural position). Dach was injured.

Last season when Slaf moved to right flank, they (mostly) had Newhook in the bumper, Caufield low (“net front”), and Suzuki left. Caufield and Suzuki rotated a lot tho.

This creates problems because you have 3 Right hand shots and 1 Left hand shot as forwards.

Not a problem. Some of the best PP’s in recent years have had 3 of the same across the middle of the 1-3-1.

Demidov can play 3 positions on PP: Point, Bumper, Right as he’s a left hand shot.

Point? He had the puck at the point once last game and it ended up in our net.

And Demidov is not playing Net Front.

Left shot Demi can definitely play low and work with Suzuki on the right side. He would also be very capable of feeding Caufield in the bumper. They would have a lot of options from that setup. Things Slaf can’t do because he doesn’t have the hands. Demi loves taking the puck from low to high on the right side, can run a switch with Suzuki.

 

[Kennerback]

Last season when Slaf moved to right flank, they (mostly) had Newhook in the bumper, Caufield low (“net front”), and Suzuki left. Caufield and Suzuki rotated a lot tho.


Not a problem. Some of the best PP’s in recent years have had 3 of the same across the middle of the 1-3-1.


Point? He had the puck at the point once last game and it ended up in our net.


Left shot Demi can definitely play low and work with Suzuki on the right side. He would also be very capable of feeding Caufield in the bumper. They would have a lot of options from that setup. Things Slaf can’t do because he doesn’t have the hands. Demi loves taking the puck from low to high on the right side, can run a switch with Suzuki.

So you don’t have a Net Front? Or is it Caufield? Or is it Suzuki? I’m not sure what you’re saying.

 

[LaP]

The biggest problem of our PP is the lack of a strong slap shot from the blue line. It's easy to defend against cause the other teams know a goal wont be scored from the blue line.

Our entire defense scored 2 PPG this season. And one of them was not scored from the blue line. Our defense scored 18 PPG in 2010-211.

Goals scored by dmen in PP :

2010-11 : 18
2011-12 : 10
2012-13 : 15 (lockout 48 games)
2013-14 : 7
2014-15 :12
2015-16 : 8
2016-17 : 17
2017-18 : 9
2018-19 : 9
2019-10 : 6 (71 games)
2020-21 : 9 (56 games)
2021-22 : 1
2022-23 : 3
2023-24 : 6
2024-25 : 2

A net presence wont help us if we don't have that shot from the blue line.

 

[Victoire HuGo]

The biggest problem of our PP is the lack of a strong slap shot from the blue line. It's easy to defend against cause the other teams know a goal wont be scored from the blue line.

Our entire defense scored 2 PPG this season. And one of them was not scored from the blue line. Our defense scored 18 PPG in 2010-211.

Goals scored by dmen in PP :

2010-11 : 18
2011-12 : 10
2012-13 : 15 (lockout 48 games)
2013-14 : 7
2014-15 :12
2015-16 : 8
2016-17 : 17
2017-18 : 9
2018-19 : 9
2019-10 : 6 (71 games)
2020-21 : 9 (56 games)
2021-22 : 1
2022-23 : 3
2023-24 : 6
2024-25 : 2

A net presence wont help us if we don't have that shot from the blue line.

To be fair, I don't know how much slap shots are still a viable option in 2025. Too much risk with the speed in today's game. Slap shots goal have been on a steep decline in last decade. Read a few TheAthletic articles on that topic

 

[LaP]

To be fair, I don't know how much slap shots are still a viable option in 2025. Too much risk with the speed in today's game. Slap shots goal have been on a steep decline in last decade. Read a few TheAthletic articles on that topic

Skills and speed was on a step decline during the deadpuck era, And then it was not anymore. A slap shot is as effective today and it was yesterday. You just got to have one. Put prime Subban or Weber in the game and they would slap shot it from the blue line and score 10-20 goals.

 

[Victoire HuGo]

Skills and speed was on a step decline during the deadpuck era, And then it was not anymore. A slap shot is as effective today and it was yesterday. You just got to have one. Put prime Subban or Weber in the game and they would slap shot it from the blue line and score 10-20 goals.

Okay might have misunderstood then, we are talking about a one timer correct? Not some D winding up?

 

[Ozmodiar]

So you don’t have a Net Front? Or is it Caufield? Or is it Suzuki? I’m not sure what you’re saying.

93
92 13 14
48

just that it’s more “low” than “net front” - so a broad skillset is helpful. Low player is offset from the net as a passing option to the player on the flank.

If the puck is moved to point or opposite flank, they’ll move across net front for screen, then set up low on opposite side. They’ll also switch with player on flank or bumper. A lot of movement compared to old “net front” umbrella says.

Laine hat trick game shows how the low player operates.

 

[LaP]

Okay might have misunderstood then, we are talking about a one timer correct? Not some D winding up?

No in fact i said slap shot but i just meant scoring goals from the blue line. It can be from a precise wrist shot like Bourque did often. Our defense simply can't score from the blue line. On the PP the threat comes exclusively from inward the defensive zone. That's easy to defense against. Even if Slaf becomes the best net precense in the entire league if nobody can shot that's not really useful.

 

[Victoire HuGo]

No in fact i said slap shot but i just meant scoring goals from the blue line. It can be from a precise wrist shot like Bourque did often. Our defense simply can't score from the blue line. On the PP the threat comes exclusively from inward the defensive zone. That's easy to defense against. Veen if Slaf becomes the best net precense in the entire league if nobody can shot that's not really useful.

I don't think it necessarily has to be a slap shot. Fox, Hughes, Makar these guys don't have a booming shot. A wrist shot at the right spot with traffic can do enough damage imo. I don’t know how many teams still use that kind of strategy these days. A broken stick or blocked shot and there he goes. Hutson or Mailloux if he makes it are our best options. Otherwise we use a FWD at the point.

 

[Tyson]

If there ever was a game for the 1OA to show his upside it would be tonight.

 

[salbutera]

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.

How so? Same 50pts in 4less GP awaiting tonight’s

 

[DAChampion]

Is 50 points playing with Suzuki and Caulfield a great achievement?

 

[Tyson]

How so? Same 50pts in 4less GP awaiting tonight’s

I agree that he didn't regress and that he is still developing.

 

[salbutera]

Is 50 points playing with Suzuki and Caulfield a great achievement?

No one ever said he was projected to be a great player, but it’s still not regression

 

[Kennerback]

93
92 13 14
48

just that it’s more “low” than “net front” - so a broad skillset is helpful. Low player is offset from the net as a passing option to the player on the flank.

If the puck is moved to point or opposite flank, they’ll move across net front for screen, then set up low on opposite side. They’ll also switch with player on flank or bumper. A lot of movement compared to old “net front” umbrella says.

Laine hat trick game shows how the low player operates.

The Net Front presence has a couple of functions:

1- Fight the D to create space
2- Create traffic
3- Screen the goalie
4- Fight battles at the back of the net to recover pucks there
5- Move the puck to create a new attempt (keep the PP oiled and running)
etc...

Someone needs to do those tasks, even if it's not by a regular static Net Front. Unless your PP system does not do all those tasks because of all the movement in your system... I assume it does. I see you have Demidov as the "1" up front, so he does the Net Front tasks as placeholder. When he does, your "3", are 3 Right Hand shots. So you obviously have no one timer from the Right Half wall.

However, I understand that Demidov as Left Shot will alternate net Front tasks with one of the 3 Right Handers because sometimes you need a Right Half wall one timer. So sometimes it’s Caufield or Suzuki that takes the Net Front responsibilities depending on where the puck is? Does Laine also alternate to do Net Front tasks? Just want to see who does what.

 

[Leon Lucius Black]

Is 50 points playing with Suzuki and Caulfield a great achievement?

It isn't a great achievement, but it is basically in line with what Suzuki/Caufield were doing at his age 3 years after their draft year. Not to mention this has been a one line team most the year with those 3 guys basically being the only forwards teams have to worry about.

Suzuki - 41 points in 71 games
Caufield - 43 points in 67 games

Suzuki and Caufield didn't turn into the players they are overnight, it took a few years of progression with gradual improvements. I expect the same to happen with Slaf where he's not going to magically go from 50 to 70-75 points, but hopefully we see gradual jumps in his production to hopefully at least 60 next year.

 

[Ozmodiar]

The tradiNet Front presence has a couple of function.

1- Fight the D to create space
2- Create traffic
3- Screen the goalie
4- Fight battles at the back of the net to recover pucks there
5- Move the puck to create a new attempt (keep the PP oiled and running)
etc...

Someone needs to do those tasks, even if it's not by a regular static Net Front. Unless your PP system does not do all those tasks because of all the movement in your system... I assume it does. I see you have Demidov as the 1 up front, so does the Net Front tasks at baseline. When he does, your 3, are 3 Right Hand shots. So you obviously have no one timer from the Right Half wall.

However, I understand that Demidov as Left Shot will alternate net Front tasks with one of the 3 Right Handers because sometimes you need a Right Half wall one timer. So sometimes it’s Caufield or Suzuki that takes the Net Front responsibilities depending on where the puck is? Does Laine also alternate to do Net Front tasks? Just want to see who does what.

#5 is probably top priority on your list.

Base setup, no one timer from the right. Suzuki likes the wrister or pass across. Very deceptive in that you don’t know which is coming.

Laine doesn’t move. Statue.
Suzuki - Demidov is the switch that lands Demi on the one-timer spot. So: Suzuki to Demi, switch, Demi to Hutson or Laine ... Demi now ready for one-timer.

Screening - Laine shot more reliant on goalie movement than screen. The video shows the screen not quite getting there. Marty likes his players playing between defenders on the PP.

Rebounds - bumper and low player will attack rebounds.

If Slaf had Matthew Tkachuk’s hands, I’d leave him there and try to score from the shadow of the net. he doesn’t, so I’d insert Demi and let him and Suzuki cook from the right with movement and passing.

 

[DAChampion]

It isn't a great achievement, but it is basically in line with what Suzuki/Caufield were doing at his age 3 years after their draft year. Not to mention this has been a one line team most the year with those 3 guys basically being the only forwards teams have to worry about.

Suzuki - 41 points in 71 games
Caufield - 43 points in 67 games

Suzuki and Caufield didn't turn into the players they are overnight, it took a few years of progression with gradual improvements. I expect the same to happen with Slaf where he's not going to magically go from 50 to 70-75 points, but hopefully we see gradual jumps in his production to hopefully at least 60 next year.

Suzuki and Caulfield had the benefit of not being rushed to the NHL. I doubt they'd be the players that are today if they had spent two seasons being afraid of making mistakes and internalizing being ineffective at both ends of the ice.

 

[morhilane]

Is 50 points playing with Suzuki and Caulfield a great achievement?

Slaf didn't play with Suzuki/Caufield all season long.

He was ppg before his injury in October (6 pts in 6 games) and missing 3 games, on his return from injury, he didn't play with both of them at the same time again until December 14th (technically, the 3rd period of the game before that one).

October 28th (when Slaf came back from injury) to December 13th:
CC: 17 pts
Slaf: 9 pts (produced more with Dvorak/Gally, but played more with Dach)

Since December 14th to today (52 games):
CC: 43 pts avg (70 points pace)
Slaf: 36 pts avg (60 points pace)

Caufield and Slaf have the same amount of points since the 4-Nation break: 20 points in 25 games (65 pts pace).

Slaf is finishing the season as the 3rd forward in points and 4th total. The 5th player has 12 less points (Gally).

 

[Victoire HuGo]

It isn't a great achievement, but it is basically in line with what Suzuki/Caufield were doing at his age 3 years after their draft year. Not to mention this has been a one line team most the year with those 3 guys basically being the only forwards teams have to worry about.

Suzuki - 41 points in 71 games
Caufield - 43 points in 67 games

Suzuki and Caufield didn't turn into the players they are overnight, it took a few years of progression with gradual improvements. I expect the same to happen with Slaf where he's not going to magically go from 50 to 70-75 points, but hopefully we see gradual jumps in his production to hopefully at least 60 next year.

Depends how much value you put on his two way game and physicality as well. His IPPs are also fairly low. He spent 1/3 of the season separated from them so perhaps we'd be looking at an extra 3-5 pts. PP role also changed which impacted his production (he has 4 less points this year on PP). Finally he seemed to have some kind of ailment in first half that was bothering him. M8ssed a few games because of that.

 

[Mrb1p]

I’m looking at the production pace of the first four seasons of Hischier, MacKinnon, RNH, Laf, and outside their 18 year old season, they all have very comparable paces.

We need to stop pretending that Slaf is some 1oa production outlier. He’s much closer to the above group than Yakupov. Your post is just disingenuous.

There is just so much dishonesty around Slaf’s game among his detractors right now and it stems 100% from the fact that the habs didn’t pick who they wanted, which in most cases was Shane Wright.

The point is that the production argument isnt anything great. All those players also have similar production to players like Galchenyuk and Yakupov, Slaf could take A or B, and if I recall correctly, a lot of people, myself included, were using similar arguments to defend Galchenyuk.

We should just remain factual.

 

[JustStopThePuck]

Slaf will be fine. It takes longer for big men to find their game.

If you were expecting him to be an 80pt power forward wrecking ball by the age of 21 you weren't being realistic.

 

[LaP]

The point is that the production argument isnt anything great. All those players also have similar production to players like Galchenyuk and Yakupov, Slaf could take A or B, and if I recall correctly, a lot of people, myself included, were using similar arguments to defend Galchenyuk.

We should just remain factual.

Remaining factual would be to say i don't know how good or not Slaf will become.

The reality is nobody really know. When the Pens traded Markus Naslund for a 4th line player i'm sure all GMs in the league had no idea he would become that good. You don't really know for sure until the player is at least 23. Some people will pretend they do but they don't.

 

[Mrb1p]

Remaining factual would be to say i don't know how good or not Slaf will become.

The reality is nobody really know. When the Pens traded Markus Naslund for a 4th line player i'm sure all GMs in the league had no idea he would become that good. You don't really know for sure until the player is at least 23. Some people will pretend they do but they don't.

The reality is we have
A. Statistical evidence.
B. Visual evidence.

We dont know but we do have a good idea.