Juraj Slafkovsky - Unicorn

[GOilers88]

Hope this kid continues to grow. Hate seeing prospects torn down for not living up to insane fan hype.

 

[BLNY]

Hope this kid continues to grow. Hate seeing prospects torn down for not living up to insane fan hype.

Not every year is a Bedard available. Not every year is as deep as 2003 was.

I'll agree with another poster on page 11 that perhaps a year in Laval would have done him good, but MSL clearly wanted him close. It's a huge adjustment for a kid with no NA ice experience to come over and jump right into the NHL. There are numerous examples of guys who took time to figure it out.

His game has taken leaps and bounds since being given consistent top 6 minutes over the last 20 games. He's been working very hard at getting his shot off in-game. The pp one-timer against the Caps was an excellent sign. I'm not sure what his ceiling is. If he could be a contemporary Owen Nolan - a big body player that can score and make room for his line mates - without the mean streak, I think that would be a win.

We'll see if Cooley can be like Jagr, who was skipped over the first 4 picks. Some are focused on him because of his faster start than some of his contemporaries.

 

[waitin425]

 

[JianYang]

Can we merge this thread with that other thread that was asking if slafkovsky is the worst #1 pick of all time?

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

View attachment 816460

 

[Kennerback]

Can we merge this thread with that other thread that was asking if slafkovsky is the worst #1 pick of all time?

I prefer the worst #1 of all time thread for the deliciously misinformed takes.

 

[MCR74]

He brings Laine style but with nice hair. Thats pretty rare

Laine style eh? Does he like video games too?

 

[Sombastate]

I got him in a dynasty league, because of that, I've actually followed him closely. He's becoming a very decent NHLer. Dude is still only 19.

 

[BLNY]

Can we merge this thread with that other thread that was asking if slafkovsky is the worst #1 pick of all time?

Pretty sure it was deleted for petty reasons.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Which fanbase originated the “Worst #1 overall” thread? Leafs or Devils?

 

[stevo61]

Which fanbase originated the “Worst #1 overall” thread? Leafs or Devils?

Probably a Montreal fan. You have a lot of vocal people. Either everyones a bust or is the next LeClair

 

[Gaylord Q Tinkledink]

 

[Colezuki]

Currently in the NHL, the closest thing to a unicorn is probably Brady Tkachuk.

I think you mean matthew

 

[Colezuki]

I think there’s a lot of hot takes in here, but for those watching the games he has looked to be on a truly different development trajectory since about November. The two goals the other night being a good culmination of that, but even beyond that that game was a good indication that he’s also still growing. He was getting physically outplayed in the 1st by Wilson, but managed to adjust in the 2nd half and takeover. Hes still on a bit of an oscillating wavepath but it’s still heading up and too the right. there was a stat on the habs board that was also highly encouraging showing he’s taking off.

7 in his last 8
15 in his last 20
21 in his last 40

He won’t get recognition on this board this year, but next year should be the year he starts to get recognition around the league.

 

[Essenege]

Not even 20 yet. Some of the times I've seen him play, you can tell he has immense potential to go with that size.

A bigger bodied Joe Thornton took a few years to get going before taking over the league. I'm definitely not suggesting he is going to have a Joe T. type of career, but he has all the tools to be a very good and dominant player for a long time. He certainly won't be considered as one of the all-time 1st overall busts in a couple years time as has been whispered a bit.

And we have to remember Slaf had the disadvantage of never playing on a smaller rink. It was very apparent especially last year that he was struggling with the lack of time. 80 GP later, he got that poise with the puck and rarely turns it over.

He also learnt that with is big body and reach he can himself use the smaller ice on the forecheck to create turnovers.

The progression has been amazing in all aspects.

 

[Frank Drebin]

The way he was getting trucked last year I honestly thought he was too stupid to play in the NHL.

 

[Essenege]

I don’t mind the pick but think he should have been given time to marinade either at home or in Laval. Not every 1st OA need to be rushed into the show.
He still probably develops into a good player. He has the skills and just needed time to catch up.

This is an argument you could have used last year. Now that he is performing on an NHL first line against top pairing D’s…I mean in Europe he wouldn’t have learn to play in reduced time and space. In the AHL, maybe but still, it’s not exactly NHL speed of play.

I was a proponent of having him in the A last year, but I now admit I was wrong. He had the character to be thrown into the wolfes den and figure it out.

 

[Frank Drebin]

This is an argument you could have used last year. Now that he is performing on an NHL first line against top pairing D’s…I mean in Europe he wouldn’t have learn to play in reduced time and space. In the AHL, maybe but still, it’s not exactly NHL speed of play.

I was a proponent of having him in the A last year, but I now admit I was wrong. He had the character to be thrown into the wolfes den and figure it out.

True. Some of the arguments for keeping him in a lesser league last year were straight up obnoxious, and in hindsight, completely wrong.

I was wrong on his potential, but I always felt that being in a league surrounded by the best facilities, coaching staff, mentors and opponents would be best for his development regardless.

 

[Essenege]

He's third in primary points/gp, yes. Like I said, he's a really promising young player. But there are ~3-4 guys playing in the NHL today that I would take ahead of him. I could be wrong, and he could end up the best player from his draft, but it would surprise me.

serious question, how many of Slaf’s last 20 games have you seen?

Cooley and Slaf are producing at the same pace, but one is a power forward, top 5 heaviest guy in the league, turning into an agressive forechecker, and making is linemates noticeably better (Suzuki and Caufield have their best 5v5 advanced stats since playing with Slaf).

I live Nemec, probably a closer call in a redraft. Habs still pick Slaf no doubt based on needs.

Slaf was unlucky for a while which pollutes his production…or should I say, Anderson couldn’t buy a damn goal. 5v5 his on-ice goals are 7 short of expected which means 5-6 5v5 points short. If you know advanced stats at all, you know that over the long run these gaps normalise.

 

[Frank Drebin]

serious question, how many of Slaf’s last 20 games have you seen?

Cooley and Slaf are producing at the same pace, but one is a power forward, top 5 heaviest guy in the league, turning into an agressive forechecker, and making is linemates noticeably better (Suzuki and Caufield have their best 5v5 advanced stats since playing with Slaf).

I live Nemec, probably a closer call in a redraft. Habs still pick Slaf no doubt based on needs.

Slaf was unlucky for a while which pollutes his production…or should I say, Anderson couldn’t buy a damn goal. 5v5 his on-ice goals are 7 short of expected which means 5-6 5v5 points short. If you know advanced stats at all, you know that over the long run these gaps normalise.

Whiskey is a proud poster and has a dislike for the Habs. Slaf would have to be slap in the face better than anyone else in the draft for him to concede. As evidenced by filtering down to Even strength, primary points to point out Cooleys statistical advantage. I wouldn't pay a lot of attention to his opinion on Slaf.

That said, he did have Cooley as his #1 before the draft so I can understand his reasoning for sticking behind him so devoutly.

 

[BKarchitect]

Let’s be real here…the unicorn commentary is more to counterbalance the “worst #1 pick ever” hyperbole.

Looks like most Habs fans are being fairly reasonable in here…he’s a big, toolsy forward who has shown very positive progression lately. He still wouldn’t be my #1 or #2 pick in a re-draft…but it’s still super early and even if he’s not my choice - his recent play would suggest the Habs certainly have no regrets at this point.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

serious question, how many of Slaf’s last 20 games have you seen?

Cooley and Slaf are producing at the same pace, but one is a power forward, top 5 heaviest guy in the league, turning into an agressive forechecker, and making is linemates noticeably better (Suzuki and Caufield have their best 5v5 advanced stats since playing with Slaf).

I live Nemec, probably a closer call in a redraft. Habs still pick Slaf no doubt based on needs.

Slaf was unlucky for a while which pollutes his production…or should I say, Anderson couldn’t buy a damn goal. 5v5 his on-ice goals are 7 short of expected which means 5-6 5v5 points short. If you know advanced stats at all, you know that over the long run these gaps normalise.

Probably 6-8 games.

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

Whiskey is a proud poster and has a dislike for the Habs. Slaf would have to be slap in the face better than anyone else in the draft for him to concede. As evidenced by filtering down to Even strength, primary points to point out Cooleys statistical advantage. I wouldn't pay a lot of attention to his opinion on Slaf.

That said, he did have Cooley as his #1 before the draft so I can understand his reasoning for sticking behind him so devoutly.

I really don't have a dislike for the Habs, and primary points are used all the time to discuss player production. I like Slaf a lot as a player. He's on the path to becoming a dominant PWF.

 

[Frank Drebin]

I really don't have a dislike for the Habs, and primary points are used all the time to discuss player production. I like Slaf a lot as a player. He's on the path to becoming a dominant PWF.

Well maybe I'm mistaken, and its more of your admiration of Cooley than your dislike of Slaf. Anyways, I do consider you an informed poster.

 

[Kennerback]

Let’s be real here…the unicorn commentary is more to counterbalance the “worst #1 pick ever” hyperbole.

Looks like most Habs fans are being fairly reasonable in here…he’s a big, toolsy forward who has shown very positive progression lately. He still wouldn’t be my #1 or #2 pick in a re-draft…but it’s still super early and even if he’s not my choice - his recent play would suggest the Habs certainly have no regrets at this point.

He’s not a generational #1, nor is he in the first tier or even second tier yet. But worst is just a hyperbole. Older posters will remember Lawton, Daigle, Stefan and Kluzak. Some of the 70s draftees are disasters. He’s better than his stats lead you to believe.