Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky Discussion

[waffledave]

Slaf isn't going to produce much but he's a useful player. Makes space for his more talented linemates.

 

[Kennerback]

Slaf isn't going to produce much but he's a useful player. Makes space for his more talented linemates.

We need to get bigger to win in the playoffs. Removing our only big body in our Top-6 aside from Laine is counterproductive.

 

[waffledave]

We need to get bigger to win in the playoffs. Removing our only big body in our Top-6 aside from Laine is counterproductive.

Slaf was pretty good in the playoffs honestly. Everyone played well except Laine pretty much.

 

[KevSkillz4]

He is progressing like a beauty. He have 194 hits this year, he block shots aswell.

Imagine 2 seconds when he is going to have confident with his shot. (Not bad at all with 20 goal season and 18 this year), but he can easily put more if he want. This guy have literally a shot of a 30-35 goalscorer.

He do dirty work for Suzuki and Caufield, he is develop well his two-way game and physical ability.

If he play like that when the season start, he will finish with a solid production.

Great time to be a Habs fan!!

 

[Kennerback]

Slaf was pretty good in the playoffs honestly. Everyone played well except Laine pretty much.

Caps have 5 regulars in their Top-6 that are 6’3+. It would be beneficial that those two extra Top-6 spots would be filled by one or two big bodies.

Size isn’t everything but an average of 6’ like now against teams that are 6.2,5 is not putting our best foot forward.

 

[Sorinth]

Caps have 5 regulars in their Top-6 that are 6’3+. It would be beneficial that those two extra Top-6 spots would be filled by one or two big bodies.

Size isn’t everything but an average of 6’ like now against teams that are 6.2,5 is not putting our best foot forward.

Sure but let's be honest, had we played Carolina we also would've lost, and they are a smaller team then we are. Size no doubt helps and is desirable but the difference maker was talent not size, once we can match the talent level of contending teams then things like size can become difference makers.

 

[Naslundforever]

I keep saying there are no objective units of measure of hockey IQ.
I am not making it black and white.
Posters saying Slaf's has lower hockey IQ somehow measured it. I am asking how?

The comments stem from trying to gauge what sets him appart from his peers. It’s not IQ.
Who are his peers? Nick and Cole? Yes, agree, he is on the same level of hockey IQ, that's the reason they click. If they were apart they wouldn't click.

It’s eye test, you are right there is no blood test.

By his peers I mean nhl players. I can’t tell if you’re being serious and for real you pick up no visual clues there…

In case though, examples how Slaf’s got great reflexes and hand-eye is how he will pick up a passing lane and rifle a pass on the tape before D can react. Examples of how he does not seem to have an active mental map of everyone on the ice in movement is how often he’s been caught surprized by a 3rd player converging on him during board play blind-side. Or will get caught sraring at the puck and plays he could have beat out become 50-50 pucks (which is not bad considering his size and skill).

Suzuki will be standing 2 seconds in the exact corridor someone will try a zone exit and stand them up like they hit a wall they never saw. Different players, no-one is saying Slaf is dumb or not good enough, they are just worlds appart in how they process the game. Completely different types of intelligence on display.

One is a typical 2-way elite center, the other is a typical dynamic winger. Works well for them I’d say!

 

[Naslundforever]

Slaf with a Demidov/Hutson processor is a generational talent

Mario Lemieux… Maybe he had better hands too. Armia’s hands with that.

(Edit - just read a few folk thought the same lol)

 

[Jaaanosik]

When you watch Hutson, Suzuki and Demidov and when you watch Slafkovsky, you can't discern some kind of difference in the way they approach the game ? In the way they process the information in front of them ?

These guys process the game insanely quickly, Slaf does not. Therefore...

How do you know?
How do you backup your assertion?

 

[OldCraig71]

Slaf isn't going to produce much but he's a useful player. Makes space for his more talented linemates.

When he's on, he seems to take over shifts on the ice, consistency will take him to the next level.

 

[vokiel]

How do you know?
How do you backup your assertion?

Just the amount of time he takes to commit to action is enough to see it.

Personally, I think Slaf needs a tighter structure from the system to get going, otherwise he seems to "try" too many things too little too slow.

 

[Jaaanosik]

It’s eye test, you are right there is no blood test.

By his peers I mean nhl players. I can’t tell if you’re being serious and for real you pick up no visual clues there…

In case though, examples how Slaf’s got great reflexes and hand-eye is how he will pick up a passing lane and rifle a pass on the tape before D can react. Examples of how he does not seem to have an active mental map of everyone on the ice in movement is how often he’s been caught surprized by a 3rd player converging on him during board play blind-side. Or will get caught sraring at the puck and plays he could have beat out become 50-50 pucks (which is not bad considering his size and skill).

Suzuki will be standing 2 seconds in the exact corridor someone will try a zone exit and stand them up like they hit a wall they never saw. Different players, no-one is saying Slaf is dumb or not good enough, they are just worlds appart in how they process the game. Completely different types of intelligence on display.

One is a typical 2-way elite center, the other is a typical dynamic winger. Works well for them I’d say!

The discussion ends right there, it is an eye test.
What one can consider as smart play another person might consider as a dumb play.
I am serious, we are not going to settle this with an eye test.
We would need to create an agreed upon structure to the eye test.

Hutson, for example, is using his agility to create chaos in the offensive zone and it leads to scoring chances.
Some people consider these type of plays as a manifestation of high IQ. I don't see it that way, it is just a part of a bigger picture.

There is a Great Book of Hockey.
One of the top rules says: "Do what your coach tells you to do..." there is a reason for this rule...
If we do not know what a player is instructed to do then we might consider his plays of lower IQ just because he listens to his coach.

... or the greatest hockey mind can make a dumb play if he is distracted by a beautiful girls in the stands.

I am joking but mental readiness is huge part of players performance.

 

[Jaaanosik]

Just the amount of time he takes to commit to action is enough to see it.

Personally, I think Slaf needs a tighter structure from the system to get going, otherwise he seems to "try" too many things too little too slow.

I would counter argue that the first line dominated because they were adjusting very well whoever they played since the break.
What was the structure that the first line used? I'd say they have a similar understanding of hockey and it works.
Reading the plays and adjusting.

 

[tazsub3]

He is progressing like a beauty. He have 194 hits this year, he block shots aswell.

Imagine 2 seconds when he is going to have confident with his shot. (Not bad at all with 20 goal season and 18 this year), but he can easily put more if he want. This guy have literally a shot of a 30-35 goalscorer.

He do dirty work for Suzuki and Caufield, he is develop well his two-way game and physical ability.

If he play like that when the season start, he will finish with a solid production.

Great time to be a Habs fan!!

When you think that power forwards at his height take longer to develop , it is fantastic what he is doing at 21 .
As Hugo had told us , wait and see when he 24….

 

[Captain97]

This is a guy that uses strength for his game and he's still basically a child.

He can't grow a beard yet, wait until he's 24 and has man strength he's going to be a beast.

 

[vokiel]

I would counter argue that the first line dominated because they were adjusting very well whoever they played since the break.
What was the structure that the first line used? I'd say they have a similar understanding of hockey and it works.
Reading the plays and adjusting.

A similar understanding does not necessarily prepare you enough to go versus all the lines in the league. That's when individual's processing of the flow in the instant starts to matter more. As it stands, even since the break, that line had its ups and downs. Even Nick has limitations that IQ can not patch up. If you prepare the line before the game with slightly more details that succeed, then I think Slaf is more likely to be a force.

In the instance where the line dominated, it seemed to have occurred against teams that played on instinct, or against teams that were on back to backs, etc... I mean there's not a lot of down games where I thought Slafkovsky was lazy.. I was just seeing him not reacting quickly enough, or being in the wrong position, etc...

 

[Miller Time]

In the instance where the line dominated, it seemed to have occurred against teams that played on instinct, or against teams that were on back to backs, etc..

This is not at all accurate... According to Carberry, coach of the top team in the eastern Conference.

 

[Naslundforever]

The discussion ends right there, it is an eye test.
What one can consider as smart play another person might consider as a dumb play.
I am serious, we are not going to settle this with an eye test.
We would need to create an agreed upon structure to the eye test.

Hutson, for example, is using his agility to create chaos in the offensive zone and it leads to scoring chances.
Some people consider these type of plays as a manifestation of high IQ. I don't see it that way, it is just a part of a bigger picture.

There is a Great Book of Hockey.
One of the top rules says: "Do what your coach tells you to do..." there is a reason for this rule...
If we do not know what a player is instructed to do then we might consider his plays of lower IQ just because he listens to his coach.

... or the greatest hockey mind can make a dumb play if he is distracted by a beautiful girls in the stands.

I am joking but mental readiness is huge part of players performance.

oh goodness, hockey Iq does not equal smart or dumb, I reaaallly doubt you’re not trolling at this point lol.. There is nothing to settle, we are sharing opinions.

I completely disagree we could not point to plays where a player clearly anticipated how the events would unfold (smart?) vs a player reacting to the play btw. Just watch how some defensemen consistently have time and space on zone exits and others are always getting smacked around and look pressed. There’s infinite examples.

Have you never heard how Gretzky was two steps ahead of everyone? It did not refer to his foot speed. I gave you real examples, it’s not an insult to say he’s more of a reflex and hustle guy than a real-time strategist when he dominates; I believe you think “iq” is something it is not. Why do you think some guys become centers and defensemen and others wingers? They can all turn left and right lol. Cheers.

 

[Miller Time]

oh goodness, hockey Iq does not equal smart or dumb, I reaaallly doubt you’re not trolling at this point lol.. There is nothing to settle, we are sharing opinions.

I completely disagree we could not point to plays where a player clearly anticipated how the events would unfold vs a player reacting to the play btw. Just watch how some defensemen consistently have time and space on zone exits and others are always getting smacked around and look pressed. There’s infinite examples.

Have you never heard how Gretzky was two steps ahead of everyone? It did not refer to his foot speed. I gave you real examples, it’s not an insult to say he’s more of a reflex and hustle guy than a real-time strategist when he dominates; I believe you think “iq” is something it is not. Why do you think some guys become centers and defensemen and others wingers? They can all turn left and right lol. Cheers.

While I'd agree that Slaf isn't as effective as being a "real-time strategist" as Hutson or Suzuki, I think you're way off the mark to suggest he's more of a "reflex and hustle" player...

I don't see that at all. If anything, if he did play more of a reactionary game, he'd probably be playing more like some want to see from him (crash and bang with his big frame and elite athletism).

I'd argue that he's far more of a tactical player like a Thornton or Rantanen. & Like them, his large frame will become a dominant weapon once his coordination and proprioceptive acuity fully matures.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

When you watch Hutson, Suzuki and Demidov and when you watch Slafkovsky, you can't discern some kind of difference in the way they approach the game ? In the way they process the information in front of them ?

These guys process the game insanely quickly, Slaf does not. Therefore...

Therefore they are different players and have different skillsets.

The Leafs for example had the same kind of forward throughout the lineup and failed to get out of the first round every year. That's probalby what would've happened to us if we drafted Cooley.

 

[Mrb1p]

How do you know?
How do you backup your assertion?

I, for one, have eyes.

 

[Naslundforever]

Therefore they are different players and have different skillsets.

The Leafs for example had the same kind of forward throughout the lineup and failed to get out of the first round every year. That's probalby what would've happened to us if we drafted Cooley.

I think we all value him, poster’s evaluation of his iq vs athleticism varies; it’s obviously subjective and arbitrary..

… but here somehow we’re arguing with a guy that it’s impossible to tell looking at Suzuki and Slaf they may not have the same anticipation and somehow that must mean it is the same. I feel baited haha clearly not hating on our boy Slaf.

 

[Tyson]

This is the player that fires me up! I think he is on the verge of breaking out next season.

 

[Naslundforever]

Go

 

[CzarDemidov]

This is a guy that uses strength for his game and he's still basically a child.

He can't grow a beard yet, wait until he's 24 and has man strength he's going to be a beast.

Imagine his beard when he’s 38? Back hair, chest hair… will be a beast then… the wolfman