Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky Discussion

[EveryDay]

Next year he's going to hit close to 70 points imo.

My guess is 27 goals + 41 assists

 

[Captain Mountain]

Next year he's going to hit close to 70 points imo.

My guess is 27 goals + 41 assists

I'm at the point where I don't really care about the points as much as I care about how he plays.

He was one of the more productive 5v5 players in the NHL this year and he didn't have a key role on the PP. If he can be more consistently engaged in the play (and get his shot off more) and find a more involved role on an improved PP, then the points will naturally follow and he'll be one of the premier wingers in the league.

 

[LaP]

I'm at the point where I don't really care about the points as much as I care about how he plays.

He was one of the more productive 5v5 players in the NHL this year and he didn't have a key role on the PP. If he can be more consistently engaged in the play (and get his shot off more) and find a more involved role on an improved PP, then the points will naturally follow and he'll be one of the premier wingers in the league.

He finished tied 76th among forwards for EVP. This is not great but that's within the parameters for a 1st line player (i.e. saying he doesn't deserve the TOI is a false argument). Four more points would make him top 60 in EVP points. To his defense he played less than many guys in front of him like Raymond who have 1 more EVP than him but played significantly more minutes.

He has to improve his net precense on the PP but at the same time our defense is made of pea shooters. It would help our PP a lot to have at least one guy able to fire lazers from the blue line. I miss Weber/Subban for that man when they fired those missiles the defense (and Gallagher) could only close their eyes and hope for the best. Liked that bomb from Mailloux in the last Rocket game.

 

[Captain Mountain]

He finished tied 76th among forwards for EVP. This is not great but that's within the parameters for a 1st line player (i.e. saying he doesn't deserve the TOI is a false argument). Four more points would make him top 60 in EVP points. To his defense he played less than many guys in front of him like Raymond who have 1 more EVP than him but played significantly more minutes.

He has to improve his net precense on the PP but at the same time our defense is made of pea shooters. It would help our PP a lot to have at least one guy able to fire lazers from the blue line. I miss Weber/Subban for that man when they fired those missiles the defense (and Gallagher) could only close their eyes and hope for the best. Liked that bomb from Mailloux in the last Rocket game.

He produced at ES at the same rate as guys like Knies, Hertl and Johnston. If you focus 5v5 (which I generally would considering how much other game states can skew what you're trying to see), he's even better. At this point any increased production will come from improved engagement (which tends to happen more as players get more experience, people seem to forget Suzuki was less engaged when he was establishing himself in his early 20s, and Caufield only really started to figure that out last season).

I don't really care about Montreal having a rocket from the point, one of the reason Montreal's PP was awful for years is that they over-relied on it. It would be nice to have it as an option, but Even getting pucks through from the point more (Hutson has to get more comfortable shooting) would dramatically improve the PP.

 

[Mrb1p]

Next year he's going to hit close to 70 points imo.

My guess is 27 goals + 41 assists

Points dont matter to me. Hes produced this year but his play was just not good enough. He was better in the PO though.

 

[Deebs]

By the end of next season/playoffs, we'll know pretty much what we have in this kid. Big offseason for him

 

[Miller Time]

By the end of next season/playoffs, we'll know pretty much what we have in this kid. Big offseason for him

I don't doubt that he'll take further strides over the next 12 months...

But are you really suggesting that at 22, a player's career future is determined?

Cue the long list of players that made big jumps in performance and impact at 23, 24, 25... Starting with our own Nick Suzuki.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

By the end of next season/playoffs, we'll know pretty much what we have in this kid. Big offseason for him

I’m interested in how much skill he’ll incorporate into his game. He has hands.

Getting more explosive will be half the battle for him I believe. I think that will give him more confidence. Using his insane frame to protect the puck.

I’m confident he still has a lot of room to improve. Just how much is the question. I’ve said it plenty but I think he can be elite.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I don't doubt that he'll take further strides over the next 12 months...

But are you really suggesting that at 22, a player's career future is determined?

Cue the long list of players that made big jumps in performance and impact at 23, 24, 25... Starting with our own Nick Suzuki.

Yeah I don’t think Caufield is done improving. Hell even Nick could turn it up another half notch. He’s definitely at the very onset of his prime.

Not unreasonable to expect a pretty big leap from Slaf though.

 

[Deebs]

I don't doubt that he'll take further strides over the next 12 months...

But are you really suggesting that at 22, a player's career future is determined?

Cue the long list of players that made big jumps in performance and impact at 23, 24, 25... Starting with our own Nick Suzuki.

And that's why I said "pretty much". Just like Suzy, the foundation of his game will be solidified and then the refinement comes into play.

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

Next year he's going to hit close to 70 points imo.

My guess is 27 goals + 41 assists

Going to be hard when he's lackadaisical for half the season, or more.

Second year in a row he says he wants to start off well in October, so let's see it.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Going to be hard when he's lackadaisical for half the season, or more.

Second year in a row he says he wants to start off well in October, so let's see it.

Honestly his second season he started out not bad. Pretty marked improvement over the first season (sure low bar but I was pretty heartened quite quickly by his game) and just kept getting better and better as the season went on.

But the point is well taken. Just flat out needs a better offseason.

 

[Miller Time]

And that's why I said "pretty much". Just like Suzy, the foundation of his game will be solidified and then the refinement comes into play.

Fair enough.

With Suzuki, there were a lot of poster very confident that he would never be a "#1C" right up until this season...

 

[Miller Time]

Yeah I don’t think Caufield is done improving. Hell even Nick could turn it up another half notch. He’s definitely at the very onset of his prime.

Not unreasonable to expect a pretty big leap from Slaf though.

Yup.

What all three appear to have in common is a strong belief in themselves and the work ethic to go make it happen.

I suspect Slaf, like CC & Suzuki, will make several positive steps forward through his early 20's.