Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky Discussion

[Mrb1p]

People still on the low IQ bullshit after last games,
He was decking defenders everywhere making great plays.
Collected & effective, a total pro.

Start an argument around his skating i don't know give yourself a chance to not be ridicoulous.

None of these things require high IQ to be achieved.

High IQ Habs players: Demidov, Suzuki, Hutson.

Clearly you can see a difference between these guys and Slaf?

These last two posts is the type of post that makes the other side troll hard when he has a rougher game. Just no common ground, at all.

Slaf is a 10/10 player all around, really no weaknesses to his game.

 

[Mrb1p]

I wish he would let out angry Slaf more often. Thats my only complain.

He’s gonna be a beast.

Me too, makes me irrationally angry at times because the rest of the game wouldnt matter for him if he could just flip the switch. With that said, I think accepting hes a big body skilled guy is probably healthier.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Is The Little Things worth 8m/year? PP time where he’s 12th on the team in PP production/TOI? Stapled on the top line? Etc

Performance and production both matter and that’s when a player passes the eye test. We all know when a player is good, it isn’t hard to see. The whole league knows when a player is good. Slaf has shown when he’s good, you don’t need a microscope to see him play well.

This is an emperor’s new clothes bit


The “young oversized stars” stats shovelling seems a bit imprecise to me. We’ll know about Slaf when we know. My rule of thumb: great players arrive sooner than later and need fewer excuses made for them.

Let’s not run in circles. I hope he dominates next match and every one thereafter. We need the Slafsquatch out there.

How is it imprecise?

 

[Andy]

How is it imprecise?

The young over size stat is imprecise but his analysis of 17 year old production in Liga was flawless

 

[salbutera]

I feel like he has it in him, but he needs to go through his villain arc. If he sees Caufield getting laid out by Ovy, that might do it.

No he doesn’t - he’s a hybrid of John LeClair (1-on-1 puck battles) and Tim Kerr (low slot / crease setup for shot) - that goal last night night was a Tim Kerr special (grip it & rip it)

Truculence is not part of his DNA makeup

 

[CzarDemidov]

How is it imprecise?

Because none of you have a working definition or parameters for young big players and their so-called “late development”. It’s literally pick and choose every time.

 

[Kennerback]

Because none of you have a working definition or parameters for young big players and their so-called “late development”. It’s literally pick and choose every time.

Parameters are that 50 points at 19 and 20 years old when you’re 6’3, 220+ pounds is extremely impressive. You can figure formulas to see what that equates to in his mid-20s using a typical historical development curve. To me, that’s much more impressive than Demidov or another skilled forward getting 65 points at 19 or 20.

 

[Mrb1p]

Parameters are that 50 points at 19 and 20 years old when you’re 6’3, 220+ pounds is extremely impressive. You can figure formulas to see what that equates to in his mid-20s using a typical historical development curve. To me, that’s much more impressive than Demidov or another skilled forward getting 65 points at 19 or 20.

50 points at 19 or 20 is impressive no matter the size.

 

[Kennerback]

50 points at 19 or 20 is impressive no matter the size.

Using Gretzky as an example. He was always tiny and weak, and was playing against 11 years old kids when he was 8. His hockey IQ developed to a point it became off the charts just to survive. I assume you can find similar stories in Demidov and Hutson’s upbringing. It’s part of them becoming brilliant.

Slaf never developed like this because he was always a monster. His hockey IQ never reached a superhuman level like the others. But he’s extremely skilled for a big man. These players become absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to play against in their mid-20s. Not because of his brain, but because of his size.

 

[Skip Bayless]

He saw Ovi almost decapitate Caufield in the first game and nothing happened. During the game 3 bench filling brawl he had the opportunity to spin heads but chose to stand way back.

Its not in him, never will be. Its fine.

No but he has to see him actually decapitated. Not almost, like actually dead. On the ice.

 

[Mrb1p]

Using Gretzky as an example. He was always tiny and weak, and was playing against 11 years old kids when he was 8. His hockey IQ developed to a point it became off the charts just to survive. I assume you can find similar stories in Demidov and Hutson’s upbringing. It’s part of them becoming brilliant.

Slaf never developed like this because he was always a monster. His hockey IQ never reached a superhuman level like the others. But he’s extremely skilled for a big man. These players become absolutely IMPOSSIBLE to play against in their mid-20s. Not because of his brain, but because of his size.

This is an interesting argument. Not sure how accurate it is, as some kids get massive growth spurts late in their develepment but for some it must be true. Unsure if it applies to Slaf as I only started following his career in 2021, he was already 6'3

 

[CzarDemidov]

Parameters are that 50 points at 19 and 20 years old when you’re 6’3, 220+ pounds is extremely impressive. You can figure formulas to see what that equates to in his mid-20s using a typical historical development curve. To me, that’s much more impressive than Demidov or another skilled forward getting 65 points at 19 or 20.

How many 19 and 20 year olds get stapled to the top line through thick or thin? How many get first unit PP time for a full season despite producing as the 12th best PPpt/PP TOI rate?

Looking at point totals gives an incomplete picture -- it's like you want to lower the bar so Slaf gets in and then you can say "look, Slaf is extremely impressive!"

I don't like looking at point totals because it lacks necessary context. Why else do you think I was inquiring about his Liiga point totals? It didn't make sense to me why a top ranked prospect (who would go on to be 1st in his whole cohort) would have only 10pts in 31gp while Kotkaniemi and others at his age had better production. No one had a satisfactory answer to the underlying question: was he inconsistent, was he snake-bitten, did he play with scrubs, etc. It wasn't about his points, it was about how he got there.

This past season was not particularly good for Slaf. Not just Slaf himself but even on HF some of his biggest supporters (and some of "my biggest opponents") begrudgingly or otherwise agree with the statement: his past season was underwhelming. But sometimes these discussions are like whackamole, you guys say different things and are at odds with each other's statements but the only thing uniting you is your opposition to the big, bad, evil Slaf Detractors. You guys rarely disagree with each other even though your statements are sometimes at complete odds.

For a generic 20 year old, a 50 pt NHL season might be good, it might be great. Slaf is not a generic 20 year old: he's a 1st overall playing on the top line, he's not just physically massive he's also quick and spry, he is given TONS of PP time. Slaf had fewer goals, fewer SoG, and less TOI in his 20 year old season than in his 19 year old season (one where he was bad for half of it). Trajectory matters: a 50 pt season might be good but if it follows a 70pt season it is not good. Slaf's 20 year old season was worse than the half of his 19 year old season.

This is all good and fine and part of non-linear development and nothing to get hung up on but it isn't reflected in your general comment "50 points at 19 and 20 years old when you’re 6’3, 220+ pounds is extremely impressive".

 

[Kojo]

Was expecting Slaf to get 60ish points and we miss the playoffs.

53 points and making the playoffs is way better.

55 now with his 2 points in 4 p/o games.

 

[billy piton]

How many 19 and 20 year olds get stapled to the top line through thick or thin? How many get first unit PP time for a full season despite producing as the 12th best PPpt/PP TOI rate?

the question could be asked in reversal... how many 45 and 65 pts players (cole and nick before playing with slaf) suddenly became 70 and 90 pts players while playing with 19 and 20 year old kid?

 

[FerrisRox]

I gave him props for his play last night.

Bunch of posts, seems like you missed them.

Here's one:

View attachment 1023704

The fact that you think this smarmy message is somehow you giving him "props" is extremely telling.

 

[JeffreyLFC]

The John Leclair comparison are on point. You only realise how good/valuable they are until they leave your organisation. Just like John Leclair, he is not overly physical or a good skater but he does use his size and he has great hands. If he can start using better his shot he will be even better. I think for a 20 years old, it's fine and I do not give a *uck if he was a 1st overall or 7th round pick, as long as he contributes

 

[Cole Caulifield]

Let's hope he keeps up his play from the playoffs next regular season. Both him and Hutson need to shoot lots more.

Slaf thread but Hutson been working on his shot all year and I think Hutson will have a better shot in training camp. I'd bet money on it.

 

[Kojo]

Slaf thread but Hutson been working on his shot all year and I think Hutson will have a better shot in training camp. I'd bet money on it.

Hutson is going to have more passing options on the power play with Demidov. Hutson is going to exploit that and score a few more goals next year.

More goals for Slafkovsky also.

That's a scary PP1.

 

[Cole Caulifield]

Hutson is going to have more passing options on the power play with Demidov. Hutson is going to exploit that and score a few more goals next year.

More goals for Slafkovsky also.

That's a scary PP1.

And people will argue whether it's Demidov or his improved shot that is the difference.

 

[CzarDemidov]

the question could be asked in reversal... how many 45 and 65 pts players (cole and nick before playing with slaf) suddenly became 70 and 90 pts players while playing with 19 and 20 year old kid?

Look at their production away from Slaf and determine the isolated impact. Let me know what you find.

 

[waitin425]

Matthew Knies is 17 months older than Slaf. Drafted a year prior. Scored 58 points this year had 182 hits in 78 games. He is 6'3 220 lbs. Leafs fans are going ga-ga over this guy and they should. They are talking about and justifying an 8.5 million per year salary.

Here we are bitching and moaning about the expected ups and downs of Slaf's development while he scores 51 points has 194 hits in 78 games....is 17 months younger than Knies......and is signed for 7.6 million.

I think Slaf goes for 60 points next year or more, and likely is around the same in hits.

 

[That Habs Fan]

Slaf thread but Hutson been working on his shot all year and I think Hutson will have a better shot in training camp. I'd bet money on it.

I absolutely expect him to work on his shot, but even if his shot doesn't improve a ton I want him to use it more, it's not Josh Gorges/Victor Mete level or anything to the point he should average under a shot per game. Also, I have him as a keeper in my pool and we count shots so

Matthew Knies is 17 months older than Slaf. Drafted a year prior. Scored 58 points this year had 182 hits in 78 games. He is 6'3 220 lbs. Leafs fans are going ga-ga over this guy and they should. They are talking about and justifying an 8.5 million per year salary.

Here we are bitching and moaning about the expected ups and downs of Slaf's development while he scores 51 points has 194 hits in 78 games....is 17 months younger than Knies......and is signed for 7.6 million.

Unfortunately Slaf will always have inflated expectations due to being drafted 1OA. Even if he were drafted 2/3 spots lower we'd all be ecstatic with his progression.

At this point, patience is key with this team as a whole and a lot of its individual parts.,

 

[ahmedou]

 

[JeffreyLFC]

Matthew Knies is 17 months older than Slaf. Drafted a year prior. Scored 58 points this year had 182 hits in 78 games. He is 6'3 220 lbs. Leafs fans are going ga-ga over this guy and they should. They are talking about and justifying an 8.5 million per year salary.

Here we are bitching and moaning about the expected ups and downs of Slaf's development while he scores 51 points has 194 hits in 78 games....is 17 months younger than Knies......and is signed for 7.6 million.

I think Slaf goes for 60 points next year or more, and likely is around the same in hits.

Perspective and expectations of both players.
If Slaf was drafted 62th overall and Hutson 1st overall. The discussion about both players would switch 100% but for now people will bitch we could/should have drafted Cooley or another player or that Slafkovsky is not "worth" a 1st overall.

I think as far as development he is in a good place for his age/experience.

 

[Deebs]

Matthew Knies is 17 months older than Slaf. Drafted a year prior. Scored 58 points this year had 182 hits in 78 games. He is 6'3 220 lbs. Leafs fans are going ga-ga over this guy and they should. They are talking about and justifying an 8.5 million per year salary.

Here we are bitching and moaning about the expected ups and downs of Slaf's development while he scores 51 points has 194 hits in 78 games....is 17 months younger than Knies......and is signed for 7.6 million.

I think Slaf goes for 60 points next year or more, and likely is around the same in hits.

Knies plays a more physical game than Slaf. Uses his body much more efficiently to protect the puck and hits to make a difference, not just to do it. Much better skater and shooter as well imo.

I think the two players are nearly polar opposites in terms of how they play. Knies will drive to the net whereas Slaf stays outside. Completely different mindsets in how they want to help their team win. Both can be effective in succeeding moving forward.