Juraj Slafkovsky vs Ivan Demidov. Who will be the better player?

[Jack Spider]

Who will be the better player throughout their career ?

Juraj Slafkovsky - 1st overall pick in 2022. Montreal.
Ivan Demidov - 5th overall pick in 2024. Montreal.

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[DitchMarner]

From what I've seen and heard, I'd say Demidov has higher upside. I think Slaf has proven that he won't be a bust and should at least be a good top six player. If Demidov falls short of expectations, I can see him being a lesser player than Slafkovsky.

That said, I'm going to predict Demidov ends up the better player.

 

[MakeTheGoalsLarger]

Demidov might have better offensive stats but I think Slaf will be the better player, especially in the playoffs.

 

[Jack Spider]

Perhaps I missed a tie or too hard to tell option.

Slafkovsky. Wing
Demidov. Wing/ Center potential

 

[Tuggy]

I went with Slafkovsky.

I think his potential is unknown at this point. He's a physical specimen. His size and skill is very unique. He has incredible vision and a lethal shot. I think he only started to scratch the surface in the second half of last season.

 

[Albatros]

Slafkovský has what it takes to be a dominant force in the NHL as he fully grows into his frame. Same weight class as Rempe but with all-star hockey skills as well.

 

[NyQuil]

Bird in the hand.

 

[Zegs2sendhelp]

Idk who will be the better player but if I had a choice to add 1 to the ducks I’d take slaf AINEC

 

[Bouboumaster]

I think that Demidov is the more talented between the two and has more potential, but Slaf's floor is higher, and should be dominant too
The dude's barely 20 and he's already a f***ing animal
Plus he looked fantastic in the second half of last year

 

[Frank Drebin]

I can only hope demi because slaf looks great

 

[HabzSauce]

Both will be beasts but I went demidov. Shiny new toy syndrome.

This ain't no knock, but I see slaf being more reliant on his linemates to produce, whereas demidov can do everything all by himself. Also see higher IQ in demidov.

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

Perhaps I missed a tie or too hard to tell option.

Slafkovsky. Wing
Demidov. Wing/ Center potential

You did... and you can correct it, unless I'm mistaken.

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

Demidov will surely produce more, but Slaf will be a more dominant player.

 

[bert]

Slafkovsky for sure. Way more unique of a talent, higher ceiling and higher floor.

 

[HeadLiceHatty]

Slaf for sure, was a better prospect too imo, I think Demidov will be a fine player but I think he’s lesser. I think Slaf has the potential to hold top 10-15 player value in the NHL if he continues to progress, he’s a unicorn.

 

[CanadienShark]

This is a tough one. I was not at all high on Slafkovsky pre-draft, but he's proven me wrong. I really liked Demidov pre-draft and am still excited.

Safe bet is on Demidov outscoring Slafkovsky if both live up to potential, but Slafkovsky could easily be a 90+ point scorer, great defensively, and absolutely wreak havoc in ways that don't show up on the scoresheet.

I voted Slafkovsky, but man am I ever happy to have both. They, along with Suzuki, have the makings of a perfectly well rounded 1st line. All three can make absurd plays or score. They'd be reliable defensively as a line too.

 

[Felidae]

I'm rooting for Slafkovsky but Demidov seems to have the higher upside.

Can't really go wrong with either one though, both are really exciting players to follow in different ways.

 

[Kudo Shinichi]

Demidov
He's got the talent to be a top 5 forward in the league

 

[KirkAlbuquerque]

I think that Demidov is the more talented between the two and has more potential, but Slaf's floor is higher, and should be dominant too
The dude's barely 20 and he's already a f***ing animal
Plus he looked fantastic in the second half of last year

More talented? Or more skilled

 

[Xirik]

For me it's definitely Slaf, He will get to a point where he'll be able to slow down the game while he has the puck, That will enable teammates to settle down in the OZ and set up plays.

 

[Bouboumaster]

More talented? Or more skilled

What is the difference?

 

[Xirik]

What is the difference?

in this case I think talent is all encompassing while skill is meant as finesse and being able to dance all over the ice effortlessly.

 

[Bouboumaster]

More talented? Or more skilled

in this case I think talent is all encompassing while skill is meant as finesse and being able to dance all over the ice effortlessly.

In this case:

Demidov is clearly the more skilled player between the two, even tho Slaf is himself super skilled, he ain't Demidov
Not a lot of players currently playing in the NHL are at Demidov's level of talent
However, Slaf bring physical tools to the table that Demidov could only dream of

At the end of the day tho, between the two of them, I'd still pick Demidov, as of now
Answer might change in the future

 

[Baksfamous112]

Demidov might be a better point producer but Slafkovsky will have the bigger impact in the playoff

 

[Michel Beauchamp]

Demidov might be a better point producer but Slafkovsky will have the bigger impact in the playoff

Our minds think alike...

My post yesterday: "Demidov will surely produce more, but Slaf will be a more dominant player."