Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky Discussion

[CzarDemidov]

That's not how it actually works in the NHL. Almost all NHL teams frontload contracts in an effort to lower the cap hit. If Molson is ready to shoulder the financial cost to get an advantage in terms of salary cap, that is a good thing. If the salary cap did not exist, I would agree with your take. But it's not how it works anymore. KH would be a fool not to frontload his deals because then the player's agent would ask for more. Frontloading is the principle of money now is better than money later as I am sure you know. If the same contract for the same amount was evenly spread out it would mean less money in Slaf's pockets and his agent would undoubtedly not have agreed to such a deal.

Bozo Bergevin mid-loaded Anderson and Gallagher's contracts to make them extra difficult to manage.

 

[Kojo]

Bozo Bergevin mid-loaded Anderson and Gallagher's contracts to make them extra difficult to manage.

Who cares about Bergevin, you should move on.

 

[Cole Caulifield]

So you understood what I was saying,good on ya. Ya reckon you can explain it better to the other blokes, I gotta hit the dunny.lol

If that's your point that's fine. But don't use actual salary of 10M instead of his cap hit as that's just trying to make it look worse than it actually is. If you are going to talk about his actual salary of 10M next season, will you sing KH's praises when he makes only 6M at 28 in a cap world where it will be over 100M per team ? That would be just as meaningless. The only thing pertinent is the 7,6M cap hit he has on his new contract. The 10M would be pertinent if Molson was working with a more restrictive budget and could not afford it.

 

[Cole Caulifield]

If ya don't understand there nothing more I can do to help you get it,it's not complicated.

My point was not complicated either. Salary does not matter, cap hit matters. That is completely independant from your take that he got a big deal too soon. All I am telling you is that by using his actual salary of 10M you are diminishing your actual main point that ''he got a big deal too soon'' by trying to make it look worse than it really is (7,6M cap hit).

 

[Farmboy Patty]

Demidov is way better than Hutson at the same age. Demidov is also bigger, has a better shot. Better everything, better haircut. I'm not sure if Hutson can even grow a playoff beard, that should be a factor.

I think they’re a both future superstars, but the Demidov wins the comparison, with the beard being the deciding factor.

 

[Farmboy Patty]

T

If ya don't understand there nothing more I can do to help you get it,it's not complicated.

The owner has the money, the team has the cap space so that won’t be a problem. What’s the issue?

 

[EtLeBut2]

Away from the emotion (pretend Slaf and Demidov were drafted in each other's spot is a good way to keep your sanity) I thought he did his job in the playoffs and am mostly happy with how he played, but of course he didn't break out in any dramatic way which at this point shouldn't be a surprise.

The good news is I don't see the contract being a catastrophe, as I think he's already showing he is a top 6 winger even if not an outstanding one, even if I think Hughes probably could have went the bridge route here. Because if we're being honest here, he's probably not one of the primary core players of the rebuild and it wouldn't surprise me to see him as trade bait sooner rather than later.

On the bright side though he is a good compliment to Suzuki and Caulfield, especially as Demidov is not quite as ready as many of us would have hoped.

 

[CzarDemidov]

Away from the emotion (pretend Slaf and Demidov were drafted in each other's spot is a good way to keep your sanity) I thought he did his job in the playoffs and am mostly happy with how he played, but of course he didn't break out in any dramatic way which at this point shouldn't be a surprise.

The good news is I don't see the contract being a catastrophe, as I think he's already showing he is a top 6 winger even if not an outstanding one, even if I think Hughes probably could have went the bridge route here. Because if we're being honest here, he's probably not one of the primary core players of the rebuild and it wouldn't surprise me to see him as trade bait sooner rather than later.

On the bright side though he is a good compliment to Suzuki and Caulfield, especially as Demidov is not quite as ready as many of us would have hoped.

Yeah we need the size in our top6 anyway so whatever the noise will settle and the dramatics are over.

With Demidov here and hopefully a 2C next season will be more internally competitive and whatever happens in terms of lineup decisions will be more meritocratic.

 

[River Meadow]

I thought he would have some more crash n bang to his game in the playoffs, that did not happen. His checks are not punishing to opponents and it often seems he is just going through the motions with those, no emotion in it at all.

He did play better than I thought he would overall in terms of offense though, and there is more to build on there.

I think he's more of a finesse player in a big body, rather than a 'beast' per se, who can hopefully continue to use his size to his advantage more and more.

 

[Kojo]

I thought he would have some more crash n bang to his game in the playoffs, that did not happen. His checks are not punishing to opponents and it often seems he is just going through the motions with those, no emotion in it at all.

He did play better than I thought he would overall in terms of offense though, and there is more to build on there.

I think he's more of a finesse player in a big body, rather than a 'beast' per se, who can hopefully continue to use his size to his advantage more and more.

That's the scouting report. I don't understand why some of you think otherwise. Have you been following his career?

Like seriously though. That's what he was always projected has.

 

[River Meadow]

That's the scouting report. I don't understand why some of you think otherwise. Have you been following his career?

Like seriously though. That's what he was always projected has.

I just found out about this player like a week ago

 

[Andy]

I thought he would have some more crash n bang to his game in the playoffs, that did not happen. His checks are not punishing to opponents and it often seems he is just going through the motions with those, no emotion in it at all.

I think this is projection more than anything and the result of fans requiring that anyone with size be "mean", or else they're failing.

Someone who goes through the motions does not end up top 3 in winning 1-on-1 battles in the playoffs. You don't need to crush people to use your size effectively. Look at the flubbed Suzuki chance in the 1st yesterday. Slaf pressures the defender behind the net, generates a turnover, uses his frame to protect the puck and dish it to Suzuki.

In game 1, two goals from Nick and Cole come from Slaf being hard to move in front of the net and occupying a defender.

If someone only shows emotions by crushing people, then your expectations will never be met. But that is a you problem because those are unreasonable expectations.

 

[Kojo]

I just found out about this player like a week ago

If you want a goon you have to draft him in the second round, Slaf is a finesse player, always has been. Since day one. That's why he was selected first overall in that draft.

 

[rickthegoon]

Slaf showed he’s a playoff stud, I don’t understand the negativity.
I have zero worries about his future.
He’s barely out of childhood ; give it time.
It’s pretty apparent the kid hates to lose. That’s a good thing.

 

[River Meadow]

I think this is projection more than anything and the result of fans requiring that anyone with size be "mean", or else they're failing.

Someone who goes through the motions does not end up top 3 in winning 1-on-1 battles in the playoffs. You don't need to crush people to use your size effectively. Look at the flubbed Suzuki chance in the 1st yesterday. Slaf pressures the defender behind the net, generates a turnover, uses his frame to protect the puck and dish it to Suzuki.

In game 1, two goals from Nick and Cole come from Slaf being hard to move in front of the net and occupying a defender.

If someone only shows emotions by crushing people, then your expectations will never be met. But that is a you problem because those are unreasonable expectations.

Yeah I think it's crystal clear now what he is...

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I know many of you blokes are head over heals for this chap, and I like him too,just don't see what it is that compelled those in charge to hand him a contract that will pay him ten million next season and the one after.

In a word? Inflation.

We should be signing all our players now to the longest term we can. This does two things.

1. It avoids an offer sheet situation
2. It locks the player into a decent number as the cap is expected to grow aggressively in the next couple of years.

 

[OldCraig71]

Slaf learned that playoff hockey is a different game and he played better as the series went on. Next season is the start of his new big-money contract and a 70-point season should be his goal.

 

[The Real Timo]

Knuckles was saying yesterday that Slaf must move his feet... that he sometimes plays like he is 35 year old, not a 21 year old. Needs to constantly skate, not glide and poke check.

 

[The Real Timo]

Slaf learned that playoff hockey is a different game and he played better as the series went on. Next season is the start of his new big-money contract and a 70-point season should be his goal.

True... or he will quickly discover what it feels like to make 8M in Mtl and not produce.

 

[Mrb1p]

how many teams are filled with multiple crosbys? and even those that are usually have huge depth issues due to their high cost. teambuilding i about right mix, not just megastars.

It went over your head

 

[Kojo]

Knuckles was saying yesterday that Slaf must move his feet... that he sometimes plays like he is 35 year old, not a 21 year old. Needs to constantly skate, not glide and poke check.

Who cares? At the same age Chris Nilan had 0 points in the NHL.

What was Chris Nilan doing at 21 years old?

15

0

2

2

-1

Then he had 0 f***ing points in 5 playoff games. Slaf has 2 50+ points season, Nilan topped at 34 pts in a season. Why do you listen to Nilan?

 

[Mrb1p]

Knuckles was saying yesterday that Slaf must move his feet... that he sometimes plays like he is 35 year old, not a 21 year old. Needs to constantly skate, not glide and poke check.

Yes. First two games was exactly that. No momentum, just gliding and reaching. Hes frustrating when hes like this but he turned it on in games 3, 4, 5 imo.

 

[River Meadow]

Knuckles was saying yesterday that Slaf must move his feet... that he sometimes plays like he is 35 year old, not a 21 year old. Needs to constantly skate, not glide and poke check.

100% Agreed

 

[OldCraig71]

Knuckles was saying yesterday that Slaf must move his feet... that he sometimes plays like he is 35 year old, not a 21 year old. Needs to constantly skate, not glide and poke check.

The poke check drove me nuts all season. MSL should bench that out of him.

 

[Habs 4 Life]

I'm sure he was injured, can't wait to see what comes out in the next few days...

I'm happy with his development, he proved he belonged on a top line in the NHL. Could he have gotten 1-15 pts more this season, yes, he started the year really slow, but if he can understand his size and strength advantage over everyone else he will be quite the player. I have not given up on the guy, it takes a little longer for bigger bodies, he will be an impact player for the Habs!