Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky Discussion

[CharleyHorse]

Slaf cares. He's not the player he is expected to be yet, and it's getting to him.

Feeling like shit after disappointment should be motivation to put in the time and effort to improve so you don't end up feeling like shit again at your next opportunity to be the difference maker. Something to think about over the summer, Slaf - you're not in the Shire anymore.

 

[the valiant effort]

Most of yall are softer than Todd Bertuzzi getting mentored by Clark Gillies.

 

[Miller Time]

He never showed us one great decking through 2-3 guys that resulted in a goal. He tend to look to pass the second he get the puck or to drop it behind the D. Like I said, he needs to find his identity. I dont see him beeing a highlight machine like Byfield, I dont see him beeing a power foward like Tkachuk. I can see him becoming a pain in the ass in the paint. He still can get 70pts playing this way. I dont think his celling is higher than that.

In conclusion, Slaf needs to find his identity and the way he wants to play, the sooner the better.

You're right, he doesn't often try to deje through 2-3 players.... And that's a good thing.

Did you see Nichuskin's goal tonight? He wasn't trying that stuff at 21 either.

But I think we definitely do see signs the vision, creativity and stickhandling in glimpses from Slaf to suggests that as he matures physically, that kind of 1:1 (or 1:3) playmaking will follow.

Bigger frames like that take longer to integrate technique, timing and instinct at the highest levels, but when they do.... Watch out.

 

[TomKosto]

You're right, he doesn't often try to deje through 2-3 players.... And that's a good thing.

Did you see Nichuskin's goal tonight? He wasn't trying that stuff at 21 either.

But I think we definitely do see signs the vision, creativity and stickhandling in glimpses from Slaf to suggests that as he matures physically, that kind of 1:1 (or 1:3) playmaking will follow.

Bigger frames like that take longer to integrate technique, timing and instinct at the highest levels, but when they do.... Watch out.

Is their similarities in Slaf and Nichus? Except size? I dont see a lot. Nichuskin was always a train, realllyyyy fast.
I really dont see why you hate the idea of Slaf becoming a front net monster, it would help the team so much with all the small wingers we have and I think it’s achievable for him. Like Hughes said, he didnt draftef him to play like a skilled player a la Jack Hughes (his words), he woulda selected someone else otherwise.

 

[HabsMD97]

Unfortunately he reminds of Drouin. Every time he's close to a loose puck he starts gliding expecting someone else to do the dirty work for him. I don't care if he's not producing, but this is really disappointing to see.

 

[Kojo]

Unfortunately he reminds of Drouin. Every time he's close to a loose puck he starts gliding expecting someone else to do the dirty work for him. I don't care if he's not producing, but this is really disappointing to see.

20 years old Slafkovsky has better stats than Drouin's 20-21 years old combined. Drouin is 29 years old and only has 13 more hits than Drouin in his career, are you kidding me?

 

[CrashOut]

Some hot crazy take on our most effective forecheck and offensive board battle winner overall across 82 games.

Could he do more ? Sure. But its still sooo early in his career thats its not even an issue. Some players gets that 2nd and others even a 3rd gear in their second half of their 20s. Some peak in their early to mid 30s.

People are so impatient and think progression is linear, super fast. Reading some of you about his play make it look like he's a Jason Ward or Terry Ryan out there.

Comparing his offensive game to Kotkaniemi is just being bad faith.

 

[CzarDemidov]

Unfortunately he reminds of Drouin. Every time he's close to a loose puck he starts gliding expecting someone else to do the dirty work for him. I don't care if he's not producing, but this is really disappointing to see.

See, there are two frustrating things that come up when I see this comment

1) The Holy Choir will pipe up now to insist that “he’s only 21!” which is irrelevant as a response to criticism about Slaf’s playing instincts and playing style

2) Slaf is capable of playing like a monster and he’s shown it enough times that the youth/immaturity excuse can actually apply to him

I expected to see Slafsquatch and he has not appeared yet. I don’t care that he was sad in the post-game interview, I don’t care about that at all. We need a hero and there’s no better time than next game.

 

[CrashOut]

Is their similarities in Slaf and Nichus? Except size? I dont see a lot. Nichuskin was always a train, realllyyyy fast.
I really dont see why you hate the idea of Slaf becoming a front net monster, it would help the team so much with all the small wingers we have and I think it’s achievable for him. Like Hughes said, he didnt draftef him to play like a skilled player a la Jack Hughes (his words), he woulda selected someone else otherwise.

He is already an effective net presence. He has a decent touch at deflection too. He should focus on that even more imo. He is good with screening. With a bit more "man-strength" he will be even harder to box out. Need to get better at hacking it off ala Gallagher indeed or Steve Shutt or Leclair or wtv.

He doesn't have bad skating, his passing skills were always good, he didn't improve a whole lot on that from his 2nd year. Overall his production has been good.

He needs more confidence too. Trust his skills set. Don't be too generous, take the shot, try the deke, lean inside with your shoulder, even if he lose the puck. If he wants to reach a next level, he will need better work rate and conditioning.

It will come.

 

[DemidovSZN]

20 years old Slafkovsky has better stats than Drouin's 20-21 years old combined. Drouin is 29 years old and only has 13 more hits than Drouin in his career, are you kidding me?

I just looked at the stats just for laugh and Drouin has 357 hits in his 11 years career and Slaf has 399 hits in his 2 years and a half career.

 

[Miller Time]

Is their similarities in Slaf and Nichus? Except size? I dont see a lot. Nichuskin was always a train, realllyyyy fast.
I really dont see why you hate the idea of Slaf becoming a front net monster, it would help the team so much with all the small wingers we have and I think it’s achievable for him. Like Hughes said, he didnt draftef him to play like a skilled player a la Jack Hughes (his words), he woulda selected someone else otherwise.

Very similar profiles as prospects, but Slaf has had a much better start to his NHL career.

I don't hate the idea, I just think he's got far more to offer than that and that, to his credit, he's already providing a better net front presence than we've had in years.

 

[Kojo]

Everyone wants him be like this player or that player instead of letting him be Slafkovsky.

In a couple of years if he plays with Demidov and good center I don't think the opposite team is going to have an answer to that.

 

[Egresch]

He has 5 shots, 3 hits and 1 block, but it is the same old experts saying that he is useless bust.
He was our best player in 1st period by a significant margin, wining board battles and creating chances for his teammates. Had one bad shift on 1st WAS goal, that is clear, but after that was still one of our better players.

 

[Pazucha]

He has 5 shots, 3 hits and 1 block, but it is the same old experts saying that he is useless bust.
He was our best player in 1st period by a significant margin, wining board battles and creating chances for his teammates. Had one bad shift on 1st WAS goal, that is clear, but after that was still one of our better players.

Egresch I think we two are watching different games than everyone else on this forum?

 

[Vapaatunnus]

Is their similarities in Slaf and Nichus? Except size? I dont see a lot. Nichuskin was always a train, realllyyyy fast.
I really dont see why you hate the idea of Slaf becoming a front net monster, it would help the team so much with all the small wingers we have and I think it’s achievable for him. Like Hughes said, he didnt draftef him to play like a skilled player a la Jack Hughes (his words), he woulda selected someone else otherwise.

Hopefully not coke and hookers.

 

[Egresch]

Egresch I think we two are watching different games than everyone else on this forum?

No, I think most of people see it the same way, it is just 4-5 people recycling their BS. Can he be better? Absolutely, but combining those two games he was obviously one of our best players. I was hoping for more, but WAS is smartly attacking our main weaknesses.

 

[CzarDemidov]

He has 5 shots, 3 hits and 1 block, but it is the same old experts saying that he is useless bust.
He was our best player in 1st period by a significant margin, wining board battles and creating chances for his teammates. Had one bad shift on 1st WAS goal, that is clear, but after that was still one of our better players.

Except for not scoring and getting scored on he had a good time out there!

 

[ahmedou]

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Arguably the best player on that line last night.

 

[Jaaanosik]

No, I think most of people see it the same way, it is just 4-5 people recycling their BS. Can he be better? Absolutely, but combining those two games he was obviously one of our best players. I was hoping for more, but WAS is smartly attacking our main weaknesses.

Couple of people have a baiting competition.
Ludia im to zeru is navyjakom.

 

[Dagistitsyn]

Slaf cares. He's not the player he is expected to be yet, and it's getting to him.

I’m always hard on Slaf, but this is good. Hopefully it lights a fire. Soul crushing first playoff experience will be good for his development

 

[Paddyjack]

Arguably the best player on that line last night.

Yes, last night's Slaf is what I want to see from him.

 

[JustStopThePuck]

What I'm realizing so far:
- Slaf will be hated until he becomes a superstar
- Slaf will be hated forever because his ceiling is just a really really really good player

 

[River Meadow]

Unfortunately he reminds of Drouin. Every time he's close to a loose puck he starts gliding expecting someone else to do the dirty work for him. I don't care if he's not producing, but this is really disappointing to see.

His play on Caps first goal was absolutely shameful.

Just hovering, pretending to do something but not actually doing anything at all.

Doesn't actually hit, he just touches people like a giant wet noodle.

But of course 50% of people here keep saying "He's only 21, he's only 21..." Okay so let's keep waiting I guess....

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Yes, last night's Slaf is what I want to see from him.

He can definitely be better.

I actually get the criticisms of him for the most part.

But singling him out so far is…weird. He was getting chances and implicated plenty.

It’s not that the criticisms are invalid, they’re just over amplified. While most of his positives seem widely ignored.

Even that being said I get a CERTAIN amount of criticism. He does certain things I don’t like.