Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky Discussion

[LaP]

it took Zubrus 10 seasons to score 20g and hit 50 points.

It took Zubrus 5 seasons to get 10+goals.

Slaf has not been anything like Zubrus. It took the latter 10 seasons to have the success that Slaf had in D+2 and D+3.

Hertl only hit 20g and 40pts in his D+3. Slaf has had a better d+2 than both Forsberg and Hertl.

You are just completely wrong.

It's sad that kids today don't know how bad Zubrus was because they never saw him.

The guy was productive two season in his career at 27 and 28 years old while centering Ovechkin 20 minutes a game. And those seasons were in the middle of his prime playing 20 minutes a game with Ovechkin and he was barely better than what Slaf is doing at 20. Thru his career Zubrus played with Ovy, Lindros, LeClair, ... and finished his career with less than 0.5 ppg average.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Yeah, the narratives have been all over the place. Can't talk about the rumors that surrounded Cozens and Michkov, but one random guy talks about Xhekaj and Slaf partying and everyone needs to investigate that truth. Its pretty ridiculous. There's even an implicit notion that the organization actually and finally developing their young players properly by putting them in positions to succeed, like putting them on the first line, is a bad thing, rather than a fantastic thing. It's a mind-numbing read. I also still have functioning eyes and even though Slaf hasn't consistently brought his A game, there are lot of parts of his game improving, mostly in the details and the playmaking. His defensive game has taken strides even if he does mistakes still. I'd like to see him stay in Brossard this summer with the development team though. I think that would make a big difference in his game as I'm not sure his offseason training is effective.

This is about as good as it gets right here. Nailed it.

Especially the offseason training. Whatever he’s doing I don’t love it. Doesn’t seem PK gaining 20lbs bad (I think it kind of ruined his career possibly) but I wanna see Slaf more explosive for sure. He’s okay and I’m far from an expert but I feel like his physical gains have been somewhat modest. I could be wrong there

 

[CzarDemidov]

He's well ahead of Hertl at the same age and he's probably ahead of Zuburs' career peak already at age 21.

Stylistically

It’s not always about numbers you know

 

[WeThreeKings]

Low hockey IQ is just the "I don't know why he's bad, I just don't like him because they didn't pick some other guy I wanted, so I have to throw something out there" argument.

 

[CzarDemidov]

The problem with using IQ to criticize Slaf, is that you can’t start dumping mercilessly on Messier because his IQ is not as high as Gretzky’s.

No, I think you’re wrong actually.

Slaf’s inconsistency is a huge mark against him and his understanding of the game. If you simply don’t see that, well that’s your business and I can’t fault you for disagreeing with me.

It has nothing to do with dumping mercilessly on him.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Not very impressed by Knies today. I don't know why you guys like him so much. Is he saving his energy for game 6?

Did Knies even skate back on the short-handed goal against? He looked so bad. The guy is playing with Matthews and Marner?

-3 and only one hit. I thought you guys said he was a power forward?

So he's basically like Slaf, except Slaf knows how to play hockey.

I haven’t watched him very closely but I’d be willing to bet Knies is a better hockey player this season. It’s hardly by leaps and bounds though. For people who are so hyped on production his numbers are hardly drool worthy especially considering who he’s playing with.

 

[OneSharpMarble]

I'm not worried about his points so much but what bothers me is he is almost entirely a passenger on his line. He is rarely the guy who drives the play or even carries the puck. Take him off that top line and it would be a real look at how good he is. I expect him to step up next season, it better not just be Suzuki carrying him for the season.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Low hockey IQ is just the "I don't know why he's bad, I just don't like him because they didn't pick some other guy I wanted, so I have to throw something out there" argument.

I wouldn’t go that far haha. I think sometimes he doesn’t make the best decisions. I see that.

But it’s way over amplified by his critics and all the high iq stuff he does is ignored. Way too clever a passer. One touch passes that happen lightning fast.

When people say he needs to stop the finesse stuff and just go pure north and south don’t understand his game at all.

He needs to combine the two and that takes time. When he figures that out the criticisms of him will stop for good.

 

[Kennerback]

No, I think you’re wrong actually.

Slaf’s inconsistency is a huge mark against him and his understanding of the game. If you simply don’t see that, well that’s your business and I can’t fault you for disagreeing with me.

It has nothing to do with dumping mercilessly on him.

To me Slaf is very consistent. He just defers too much to Suzuki and Caufield in the regular season because he’s a good boy and knows his place.

This is what I would call inconsistent :

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I'm not worried about his points so much but what bothers me is he is almost entirely a passenger on his line. He is rarely the guy who drives the play or even carries the puck. Take him off that top line and it would be a real look at how good he is. I expect him to step up next season, it better not just be Suzuki carrying him for the season.

Definitely driving play way more in the playoffs so far. Both his goals were from him driving play/zone entry.

He has hands but he needs more confidence in them. Saw a flash on that zone entry on his last goal.

I’m confident we haven’t even seen the tip of the iceberg yet. Hell we’re only now seeing Caufield’s playmaking and hands when people were adamant they didn’t exist. They didn’t pay close enough attention to his sophomore year

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Stylistically

It’s not always about numbers you know

Sorry but no one banged the drum harder at the beginning of Slaf’s season that production was the bottom line.

If I had the inclination I could go get a dozen within probably a two day span of posts

Edit: beginning of Slaf’s SECOND season

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

To me Slaf is very consistent. He just defers too much to Suzuki and Caufield in the regular season because he’s a good boy and knows his place.

This is what I would call inconsistent :

The last clip gets the laugh. f***ing Marner.

I think he defers a lot which honestly isn’t the worst strategy as he’s still acclimatizimg to things. I think these playoffs are gonna be a huge boost and we’re gonna see him try more things going forward.

 

[Kennerback]

I'm not worried about his points so much but what bothers me is he is almost entirely a passenger on his line. He is rarely the guy who drives the play or even carries the puck. Take him off that top line and it would be a real look at how good he is. I expect him to step up next season, it better not just be Suzuki carrying him for the season.

Forget about Demidov, just look at Slaf. Look at that zone entry, positioning and finish from Slaf. A fraction of players in the NHL could pull that off in a high stakes game. And this is a big man doing it in his 20 year old season. No passenger, he is a monster that every team in the NHL would want.

 

[Kennerback]

The last clip gets the laugh. f***ing Marner.

I think he defers a lot which honestly isn’t the worst strategy as he’s still acclimatizimg to things. I think these playoffs are gonna be a huge boost and we’re gonna see him try more things going forward.

Marner had 2 moves last night, falling on the ice and complaining to the refs or his teammates. It’s hard to like that Leafs core.

 

[Captain Mountain]

Stylistically

It’s not always about numbers you know

Why do you think my argument was based on numbers?

He's also as stylistically close to Jagr as he is Zubrus, but stylistic comparisons are only useful for prospects (and even then, not that useful) and get dumber from there. Slafkovsky is Slafkovsky, he isn't Jagr, Zubrus, Hertl, Landeskog or anyone else.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Marner had 2 moves last night, falling on the ice and complaining to the refs or his teammates. It’s hard to like that Leafs core.

I had to watch a Dangle last night lol.

He was showing some elimination game stats and they’ve had ONE f***ing PP goal in elimination games with that core.

I think they’re are 1-13 in elimination games with that core. I could be wrong but it’s something beyond awful like that.

 

[CzarDemidov]

Sorry but no one banged the drum harder at the beginning of Slaf’s season that production was the bottom line.

If I had the inclination I could go get a dozen within probably a two day span of posts

Obviously, it’s a goal scoring game. Absent points, we can take pride in a young player playing well. It’s a balance between the two.

Slaf is playing well in the playoffs. Not so well during the regular season overall.

Why you think my argument was based on numbers?

He's also as stylistically close to Jagr as he is Zubrus, but stylistic comparisons are only useful for prospects (and even then, not that useful) and get dumber from there. Slafkovsky is Slafkovsky, he isn't Jagr, Zubrus, Hertl, Landeskog or anyone else.

Looking forward to your intervention next time he’s compared to Hossa or LeClair, etc.

 

[Jaaanosik]

So let this be clear;

- You think Slakovskys IQ is as good as Lane Hutson ?

Where was Hutson's hockey IQ on the first empty net goal on Sunday?

 

[Miller Time]

No, I think you’re wrong actually.

Slaf’s inconsistency is a huge mark against him and his understanding of the game. If you simply don’t see that, well that’s your business and I can’t fault you for disagreeing with me.

It has nothing to do with dumping mercilessly on him.

Nonsense argument.

Having unrealistic expectations and then building an argument from there is why your take has no merit.

Slaf is one of the most consistent performers of all NHLers drafted his year +/- 2 drafts.

And if we go beyond point production, the consistency of his play in all 3 zones is above average league wide, regardless of age.

Bad take is a bad take.

 

[Captain Mountain]

Obviously, it’s a goal scoring game. Absent points, we can take pride in a young player playing well. It’s a balance between the two.

Slaf is playing well in the playoffs. Not so well during the regular season overall.


Looking forward to your intervention next time he’s compared to Hossa or LeClair, etc.

I have intervened when people have overrated him, but way to move the goalposts.

And for the record, I have no itention of stepping in to help defend whatever your actual argument is though, either production or style or consistency or hockey IQ or something else that is more easily defend-able in that moment.

He's a 21 year old kid who's developing. We'll see what he becomes. But unless you think he should already be a finished product or have a personal vendetta against him as a player then its not clear why you're being so critical of him all the time. Especially right now when by both eye test and analytics he's having a very good playoffs.

 

[Mrb1p]

Depends on your definition of sub-elite. If Slaf eventually compares to Landeskog it would be pretty astonishing.

So far in his nascent career he’s been more Zubrus than Landeskog, or Hertl, or F. Forsberg. Just any impression.

Hes ahead of Zubrus for sure. Remains to be seen how goos he can be.

 

[Mrb1p]

Are we really gonna get into a semantics game here?

Yes the semantics of Hutson, Suzuki and Demidov having high IQ and Slaf having nowhere near their IQ.

Unless the range for "high IQ" is incredibly wide, theres quite a difference between these four players.

 

[Mrb1p]

Where was Hutson's hockey IQ on the first empty net goal on Sunday?

Dumb take.

 

[Jaaanosik]

Dumb take.

Please, show me how you objectively assess hockey IQ.
How many Demidov's games you saw?

 

[salbutera]

I have intervened when people have overrated him, but way to move the goalposts.

And for the record, I have no itention of stepping in to help defend whatever your actual argument is though, either production or style or consistency or hockey IQ or something else that is more easily defend-able in that moment.

He's a 21 year old kid who's developing. We'll see what he becomes. But unless you think he should already be a finished product or have a personal vendetta against him as a player then its not clear why you're being so critical of him all the time. Especially right now when by both eye test and analytics he's having a very good playoffs.

Keep in mind it’s the same poster who spouted & argued ad nauseam how Kotkaniemi was a guaranteed 80 pts C in waiting …