Player Discussion Juraj Slafkovsky Discussion

[Heffyhoof]

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.

He started out good then missed a bit of time with an injury. When he returned he was stuck with Dach whom I constantly complained about. Now that the fog of months pass, everyone just blames Slaf with no care for context that he was strapped to an anchor.

If he gets to 68 points and leads us in hits again.....that will be a very very good season.

If he had 68 he'd be the highest scorer in the top 50 hitters. As it this year he was 5th. Probably not a powerforward though.

 

[Habs]

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

My guess is 27 goals + 41 assists

if he plays with Demidov, quite possibly. I'd probably put up 15 pts playing with Demidov though.

 

[Tyson]

Reflecting back on Slaf's season I have to say that it was a solid year. Yes he started slow, seemed to be laboring something, some say it was a back issue. Either way the Slaf we saw after 4 Nations was rested and really played well. He also played very well in the playoffs.
So, two straight 50 point seasons before he turned 21. Technically he didn't hit 50 points last year until he turned 21 but close enough.
He is just now starting to mature and I expect much better production next season.
Now I see why they went with the 6'3 230 pound project as 1OA.

 

[Mrb1p]

I see people mentioning Rantanan, Brady, and MacKinnon and I feel the need to post this again. The idea that he's out of step with other 1OA is just plain false.

View attachment 1024037


Others have had much better D+1, but he's very comparable in D+2 and D+3

Thats great and all, but where would Slafs production rank if he wasnt stapled to a slam dunk top 10C for 20 minutes a game for 130+ games in his last two seasons?

Mackinnon had ROR (23), Landeskog (21) and Iginla (37) as his best linemates.

Lafreniere played on the third line with no PP time and spent less tgan 25% of his icetime with either Panarin or Kreider (Mostly Kakko, Chytil, Goodrow)

Hischier is the exception to this but theres no contest here, he was and likely will always be better than Slaf.

RNH had good wingers too, so he may be a comparable, though I feel he was better faster. Still wouldnt trade Slaf 1 for 1 for him on draft day. Especially due to size.

So yes, he produces well, but theres a caveat. Well two really. He didnt play well, at least not up to his production and he was carried by Suzuki. Nick accounted for 46 of his 51 goals. Thats just crazy.

 

[CzarDemidov]

Is the debate whether Slaf had a good season or not? He said he didn't (at multiple points including the end-of-season presser), his GM criticised his preparation, and he shot less, played fewer minutes, and scored fewer goals than the previous season. No debate left there...

Next season will be indicative of certain things but in case he misfires or doesn't play very well it won't be considered damning (and definitely not conclusive of anything) because [say it with me now] "he's only 21/22!!". So let's hope he plays well, better than this past year, and stays playing well. Then we can debate about how great he is and not if he's great at all.

If he wasn't such a frustrating player the debate wouldn't be so frustrating. There's plenty of meat on this bone, argument-wise, because he has been an unsatisfying player so far.

 

[DemidovSZN]

Thats great and all, but where would Slafs production rank if he wasnt stapled to a slam dunk top 10C for 20 minutes a game for 130+ games in his last two seasons?

Mackinnon had ROR (23), Landeskog (21) and Iginla (37) as his best linemates.

Lafreniere played on the third line with no PP time and spent less tgan 25% of his icetime with either Panarin or Kreider (Mostly Kakko, Chytil, Goodrow)

Hischier is the exception to this but theres no contest here, he was and likely will always be better than Slaf.

RNH had good wingers too, so he may be a comparable, though I feel he was better faster. Still wouldnt trade Slaf 1 for 1 for him on draft day. Especially due to size.

So yes, he produces well, but theres a caveat. Well two really. He didnt play well, at least not up to his production and he was carried by Suzuki. Nick accounted for 46 of his 51 goals. Thats just crazy.

Elaborate on that?

 

[Mrb1p]

Elaborate on that?

Nick Suzuki was on the ice for 36 of his 41 ES points and 10 of his 10 powerplay points in the regular season.

I dont have the raw numbers but I looked quickly and it seems to be 36 direct point shared. 71% of his points.

 

[DemidovSZN]

Nick Suzuki was on the ice for 36 of his 41 ES points and 10 of his 10 powerplay points in the regular season.

I dont have the raw numbers but I looked quickly and it seems to be 36 direct point shared. 71% of his points.

I mean, they play together and on the same PP, it isn't crazy that they are on the ice at the same time the goals are scored.

But you were saying 46 of his 51 goals, I'm confused about that? Slaf has 42 career goals as of now.

 

[Andrei79]

Reflecting back on Slaf's season I have to say that it was a solid year. Yes he started slow, seemed to be laboring something, some say it was a back issue. Either way the Slaf we saw after 4 Nations was rested and really played well. He also played very well in the playoffs.
So, two straight 50 point seasons before he turned 21. Technically he didn't hit 50 points last year until he turned 21 but close enough.
He is just now starting to mature and I expect much better production next season.
Now I see why they went with the 6'3 230 pound project as 1OA.

I was impressed by how he played when the games mattered. There were games in the playoffs where he was the best player. I'm hoping he learned about off season preparation, consistency and how he needs to play. He was less consistent than the second half last year, but the highs were higher and he showed more and more of his abilities.

 

[Mrb1p]

I mean, they play together and on the same PP, it isn't crazy that they are on the ice at the same time the goals are scored.

But you were saying 46 of his 51 goals, I'm confused about that? Slaf has 42 career goals as of now.

You know I meant points...

 

[rik schau]

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).

Right then, I see that many of you blokes revel in pettifoggery, which I find to be tedious and not worthwhile, and also led easily astray and drift, so I'll get to crux of the matter, the bottom line so to speak and make it crystal clear that even a mad goanna can understand.

ME- After a season he was rewarded the season after making 10 million for the next 2 seasons. I find that a lot and premature from what was observed, my opinion.

YOU- He deserves it.

ME- That's your opinion.

Simple enough for you? G'day.

 

[rik schau]

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.

Oi! so more than likely the next off season Montreal will be dishing out, conservatively a minimum of 25 for Hutson and Demidov. How high is the cap going? how much room does Montreal have left with Suzuki, Caulfield, Guhle, Slafskovsky already locked in for a long term? still a 23 man roster right? I reckon the management group are banking on what they are doing is the right way. However which way it goes as long as the fans are pouring in is all that really matters as they have been rubbish since the last millennium and seats and merchandise are still a hot commodity. It's always grand when you own a cash cow isn't it.lol

 

[Cole Caulifield]

Right then, I see that many of you blokes revel in pettifoggery, which I find to be tedious and not worthwhile, and also led easily astray and drift, so I'll get to crux of the matter, the bottom line so to speak and make it crystal clear that even a mad goanna can understand.

ME- After a season he was rewarded the season after making 10 million for the next 2 seasons. I find that a lot and premature from what was observed, my opinion.

YOU- He deserves it.

ME- That's your opinion.

Simple enough for you? G'day.

Actually never even said I think he deserved it. Have fun with your posting sir.

 

[rik schau]

Actually never even said I think he deserved it. Have fun with your posting sir.

Right you are because the drifting and swaying away from the original topic and prefer to indulge in pettifoggery,G'day.

 

[River Meadow]

I don't wanna be attacked anymore.

Slaf is the GOAT.

 

[River Meadow]

Everyone talk about Demidov and Hutson who have superstar talent, but if Slafkovsky put all his unique package together, this guy can be the most dominant player in this team.

I'm 100% confident with him to reach his full potential, he have unique personnality, he speak like a 30 years old, he is already a good leader in this team and know how to handle journalist.

He want to make a difference, like Demidov and Hutson, he is a huge hard worker with his great talent aswell. That's a perfect combinaison to become a special player in this league.

I am with Kevy on this. I am also 100% confident in Slaf reaching his full potential with his unique personality and etc.

Slaf could be our SUPERMAN, he could be our.... HERO, baybayyyyyyy!

*Alexa, play Hero by Enrique Iglesias*

 

[BLONG7]

The kid is going to be just fine guys..........He admitted he needs to start his season in October, not February.
The kid is fully aware he can be better as he grows and matures.
I really think he will be a 70 pt player, maybe more.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Oi! so more than likely the next off season Montreal will be dishing out, conservatively a minimum of 25 for Hutson and Demidov. How high is the cap going? how much room does Montreal have left with Suzuki, Caulfield, Guhle, Slafskovsky already locked in for a long term? still a 23 man roster right? I reckon the management group are banking on what they are doing is the right way. However which way it goes as long as the fans are pouring in is all that really matters as they have been rubbish since the last millennium and seats and merchandise are still a hot commodity. It's always grand when you own a cash cow isn't it.lol

Do you think the Canadiens would have any problem getting back max returns on any of the players they've signed long term right now?

Sign Hutson for as long and cheaply as you can. Same with Demidov. Avoid RFA bids, avoid the drama, mitigate the inflation risk.

 

[OneSharpMarble]

I'm not worried about Slaf, all I really want from him is to drive the play more and be more physical. I would like to think he will carry the puck more as he gets use to the NHL, he seems so nervous.

 

[Kojo]

Slaf hasn't been put into a situation where he can drive the play yet. He's relying on Caufield and Suzuki. If they can find a way to pair him with Demidov next season it could be our best line.

I think Suzuki would prefer it if Slaf stays on the first line though.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Slaf hasn't been put into a situation where he can drive the play yet. He's relying on Caufield and Suzuki. If they can find a way to pair him with Demidov next season it could be our best line.

I think Suzuki would prefer it if Slaf stays on the first line though.

He doesn’t just suck points from them though. He’s a highly creative passer.

 

[Tyson]

He doesn’t just suck points from them though. He’s a highly creative passer.

Elite players are the best passers and Slaf is a great passer.

 

[River Meadow]

I don't wanna be attacked anymore.

Slaf is the GOAT.

Who is Juraj Slafkovsky?

For the blind, He is the vision.
For the hungry, He is the chef.
For the thirsty, He is the water.
If Slafkovsky thinks, I agree.
If Slafkovsky speaks, I’m listening.
If Slafkovsky has one fan, it is me.
If Slafkovsky has no fans, I don’t exist.

 

[Redux91]

Just give him Rantanen tape to watch all summer basically lol

 

[Erika]

Nick Suzuki was on the ice for 36 of his 41 ES points and 10 of his 10 powerplay points in the regular season.

I dont have the raw numbers but I looked quickly and it seems to be 36 direct point shared. 71% of his points.

So what ?! That's a pretty weak argument. It doesn't mean anything except that they leech off each other and compliment each other very well, resulting in goals that they created together as linemates.

You could very well say the same argument with Rantanen leeching off of Mackinnon and Draisaitl being a product of McDavid if you just look at the stats only. However, if you watch the games you would know that every single one of those players are good players on their own.

Many goals on that Suzuki first line doesn't happen if Slafkovsky didn't perform like he did on many of the plays during the regular season AND ESPECIALLY during the PLAYOFFS... It was clear as daylight like winning a battle on the boards, making that outlet pass to create a quick rush, retrieving the puck with his aggressive forecheck, redirecting a pass/shot in a scrum in front of the net, eliminating an opposing player out of the play, creating space for Cole and Nick with his big body. etc.

Of course those people don't know that if they just stats check and doesn't pay attention to what Juraj does during the games.