Juraj Slafkovsky - Unicorn

[sennysensen]

Unicorn?

At best he'll become a poor-man's Brady Tkachuk. With less shots, less goals, less hitting, less strength, less domination down low and on the boards, less (or no) intimidation, less leadership, and zero fighting. Brady does everything a best-case Slaf does better (except skating, but power forwards in the NHL don't need to be great skaters).

I do think he will become a very good player, 25+ goal scorer. And a decent pick considering the top of that draft was weak. Only Nemec looks like he'll become a star (IMO) out of the top 10.

 

[MeHateHe]

A continuous rate of growth over time is actually inherent in the definition of "exponentially".

 

[Sasha Orlov]

Unicorn?

At best he'll become a poor-man's Brady Tkachuk. With less shots, less goals, less hitting, less (or no) intimidation, less leadership, and zero fighting. Brady does everything a best-case Slaf does better.

I do think he will become a very good player, 25+ goal scorer. And a decent pick considering the top of that draft was weak. Only Nemec looks like he'll become a star (IMO) out of the top 10.

Yo can I get the powerball winning numbers while you’re at it?

 

[Andy]

At best he'll become a poor-man's Brady Tkachuk. .

This is just a guess and no one has any way to tell.

It's also silly to make such a claim when Slafkovsky easily has similatr skill level and udnerstanding of the game.

 

[sennysensen]

Yo can I get the powerball winning numbers while you’re at it?

No shit, Sherlock, the entire premise of this website is having unproven opinions. Your opinions are also guesses at winning numbers.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

That doesn't detract from the fact that Slaf is playing very well, and he does in fact have an extremely rare and valuable combination of skills. But he also gets to play with arguably the best linemates of anyone from his draft, and is still only 5th in PPG among 2022 picks (with 2 of the guys ahead of him being defenseman).

Slafkovsky wasn't playing with Caufield or Suzuki in his first dozen games.

Since November 14th, which is around the time he got Caufield on his line, he's been the top scorer among 2022 picks by a decent amount.

Slaf also just keeps on getting better. He now has 7 goals and 15 pts in his last 21 games.

 

[Sasha Orlov]

No shit, Sherlock, the entire premise of this website is having unproven opinions. Your opinions are also guesses at winning numbers.

Damn dude get pissed

 

[klefbombs shoulder]

Why exactly is he a unicorn?

 

[cg98]

Hes going to be a problem for sure, even if he isnt the uber skilled or sexy no.1 overall compared to others. It will take a few years to reach his prime like all the young big guys that come into the league.

 

[waitin425]

Unicorn?

At best he'll become a poor-man's Brady Tkachuk. With less shots, less goals, less hitting, less strength, less domination down low and on the boards, less (or no) intimidation, less leadership, and zero fighting. Brady does everything a best-case Slaf does better (except skating, but power forwards in the NHL don't need to be great skaters).

I do think he will become a very good player, 25+ goal scorer. And a decent pick considering the top of that draft was weak. Only Nemec looks like he'll become a star (IMO) out of the top 10.

 

[HaNotsri]

Closer to a common pig than a unicorn. A lot of people like bacon though.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Why exactly is he a unicorn?

Forwards of his size with his skating and talent are a rarity in the NHL.

Last year, he was the heaviest forward in the nhl (alongside Ovechkin).
He dropped to 230lbs this season, but he's still among the heaviest forwards.

 

[Plastic Joseph]

Why exactly is he a unicorn?

How many guys are the heaviest player at their position (he was for all forwards) at 18 years old?

The idea is that if a player were to be able to have high end skill at that size they could be a force to be reckoned with, Nichuskin who I have also seen the terms thrown around for, seeing as he doesn't really have a comparable in the league and was the best player in the finals for a cup winning team.

 

[dirtydanglez]

kakko put up 40 last season. at least wait until slaf puts two good seasons together.

 

[klefbombs shoulder]

Forwards of his size with his skating and talent are a rarity in the NHL.

Last year, he was the heaviest forward in the nhl (alongside Ovechkin).
He dropped to 230lbs this season, but he's still among the heaviest forwards.

View attachment 815941

NHL has him listed as the 25th heaviest NHLer. So there are 25+ unicorns in the NHL?

Louis Crevier may also be a unicorn then.

 

[Moose Head]

He's a promising young player, but I still don't think the Habs made the right pick. Slaf wasn't a bad pick, and they certainly dodged a bullet with Wright, but I think they missed an opportunity to draft a dynamic top line center in Cooley, which has been a need in Montreal since I can remember. Cooley + Caufield would have been a pretty dangerous duo, and would have allowed Suzuki to eventually slot in as a 2C, which is a better fit for him.

That doesn't detract from the fact that Slaf is playing very well, and he does in fact have an extremely rare and valuable combination of skills. But he also gets to play with arguably the best linemates of anyone from his draft, and is still only 5th in PPG among 2022 picks (with 2 of the guys ahead of him being defenseman).

View attachment 815898

Among guys already in the NHL, I would probably rank Slaf 4th or 5th in a redraft. Cooley, Nemec, and Mintyukov have all shown more promise IMO (and that's not a knock and Slaf). I think he would be battling it out with Jiricek for that 4th spot. I know that makes it sound like I am hating on the kid, but that draft is looking pretty strong, especially among D.

With the benefit of hindsight the only guy I’d take over him is Nemec. Mintyukov is better right now, but he wasn’t on the radar for #1 so that’s not realistic. Cooley was better in October and has been stagnant since then. Since then, Slaf has been as good or the better player month to month and has continued to improve. Wouldn’t be surprised if he overtakes Cooley in points by the end of the season given his rate of improvement versus Cooley.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

NHL has him listed as the 25th heaviest NHLer. So there are 25+ unicorns in the NHL?

Louis Crevier may also be a unicorn then.

I mentioned 3 aspects which make him a unicorn and you only looked at one of them?

Forwards of his size with his skating and talent are a rarity in the NHL.

 

[klefbombs shoulder]

Unicorn?

At best he'll become a poor-man's Brady Tkachuk. With less shots, less goals, less hitting, less strength, less domination down low and on the boards, less (or no) intimidation, less leadership, and zero fighting. Brady does everything a best-case Slaf does better (except skating, but power forwards in the NHL don't need to be great skaters).

I do think he will become a very good player, 25+ goal scorer. And a decent pick considering the top of that draft was weak. Only Nemec looks like he'll become a star (IMO) out of the top 10.

Its interesting to bring up B. Tkachuk. I think he is much more of a unicorn between the two. Came into the league and immediately was a 200+ shot, 20+ goal threat power forward. Will conceivably get 400+ shots in a season multiple times in his career. One of the more unique players in the game. Other than size how is Slaf unique? I don't see it.

 

[klefbombs shoulder]

I mentioned 3 aspects which make him a unicorn and you only looked at one of them?

Size was the only one of the three that I can agree is rare for him. Hes fast, but not outrageously so. NHL edge has him as a 81 percentile top speed bursts player, 69 percentile for speed bursts over 20 mph and 69 percentile for skating distance. As for skill, again several players enter the league each year that have more skill that Slaf.

 

[thebestnic]

Unicorn?

At best he'll become a poor-man's Brady Tkachuk. With less shots, less goals, less hitting, less strength, less domination down low and on the boards, less (or no) intimidation, less leadership, and zero fighting. Brady does everything a best-case Slaf does better (except skating, but power forwards in the NHL don't need to be great skaters).

I do think he will become a very good player, 25+ goal scorer. And a decent pick considering the top of that draft was weak. Only Nemec looks like he'll become a star (IMO) out of the top 10.

He's more skilled than Brady

 

[WhiskeyYerTheDevils]

With the benefit of hindsight the only guy I’d take over him is Nemec. Mintyukov is better right now, but he wasn’t on the radar for #1 so that’s not realistic. Cooley was better in October and has been stagnant since then. Since then, Slaf has been the better player and continued to improve.

Before last night, Cooley and Slaf had identical stat lines in the new year. And now Slaf has played an extra game, they still have the same number of primary points. All this with Slaf getting 3 mins more per game of ice time with much better linemates, while playing the easier position.

Zero chance the Habs would not take Slaf 1OA if they had a redo today... If anything, he's shown their assessment & rationale for picking him 1st to be bang on.

He has the highest ceiling of that draft class, and has the attitude & work ethic to reach it (& the personality to handle playing in an intense hockey market).

Okay, I still think it would be a mistake to pass on Cooley, who has the higher ceiling IMO. Slaf is great though and I am glad that Habs fans are happy with his development.

 

[Xirik]

The term "Unicorn" is getting thrown around a lot now and its losing its mythical-ness, We need a new creature to call players!

Cyclops? Sphinx? Mermaid? Pheonix? Chimera?

 

[Miller Time]

Before last night, Cooley and Slaf had identical stat lines in the new year. And now Slaf has played an extra game, they still have the same number of primary points. All this with Slaf getting 3 mins more per game of ice time with much better linemates, while playing the easier position.

You might want to do better research... Perhaps start by looking into the first ~30 games of the season...

Okay, I still think it would be a mistake to pass on Cooley, who has the higher ceiling IMO. Slaf is great though and I am glad that Habs fans are happy with his development.

Nope. Cooley's ceiling falls short of Slaf's and he's a longer shot to reach it.

 

[Moose Head]

The term "Unicorn" is getting thrown around a lot now and its losing its mythical-ness, We need a new creature to call players!

Cyclops? Sphinx? Mermaid? Pheonix? Chimera?

Drouin is Phoenix. Rose from the ashes this season.

 

[waitin425]

Before last night, Cooley and Slaf had identical stat lines in the new year. And now Slaf has played an extra game, they still have the same number of primary points. All this with Slaf getting 3 mins more per game of ice time with much better linemates, while playing the easier position.

So here you are bringing primary point into the argument. Yet earlier, as seen below, you used PPG as an argument. Which one is it Whiskey? How many of Nemec's 12 assists or Minty's 17 assists are primary?

But he also gets to play with arguably the best linemates of anyone from his draft, and is still only 5th in PPG among 2022 picks (with 2 of the guys ahead of him being defenseman).

View attachment 815898

Among guys already in the NHL, I would probably rank Slaf 4th or 5th in a redraft. Cooley, Nemec, and Mintyukov have all shown more promise IMO (and that's not a knock and Slaf). I think he would be battling it out with Jiricek for that 4th spot. I know that makes it sound like I am hating on the kid, but that draft is looking pretty strong, especially among D.

#BUSTED