Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[StCaufield]

It does not make for an healthy and fair debate if we can't acknowledge the good things he does too.

Personally i see this as a good things that he is way more involved in the play even if its too often goofy. It will (i hope!) improve and ultimately lead to good things.

MSL gave a pretty good interview to Bernier on this via lapresse.ca

I acknowledged that he can pass. His vision is good partially. Are you saying Josh Roy should be in the NHL then since the AHL is so useless? Caufield benefited along with Baron and almost every player in the entire league. Are you embarrassed that just because he’s a first overall player that this would be a regression? Since most first picks don’t? He doesn’t deserve to be in the NHL right now but I think he will be a good player when he’s ready. God forbid the kid dominates for 50 games in the AHL. Just the feeling of scoring at any level could do wonders for him when transitioning back to the NHL. He NEEDS confidence and he will be sent down. It’s just a matter of time. Not hating on the kid but he’s just not smart at all and needs work. Young kids with huge bodies take more time sometimes. The NHL isn’t doing him any favours other than destroy his confidence. He seems a little fragile emotionally although he’s borderline overconfident in interviews. He needs 20 min a game in Laval

Have you seen Cooley play this season? I did, every game. He has his own things to get better at to be effective 5 on 5 as of now.

Slaf has great vision and is a great playmaker. He has to adjust his timing and to the speed of the game.

Slaf has made 10 good passes all season. Wow sign him 8x10. He’s an AHL player right now. I pray to god he even turns into a 60 point player one day. Drouin made good passes his whole career but he’s hung here lol okay

 

[Jaynki]

I acknowledged that he can pass. His vision is good partially. Are you saying Josh Roy should be in the NHL then since the AHL is so useless? Caufield benefited along with Baron and almost every player in the entire league. Are you embarrassed that just because he’s a first overall player that this would be a regression? Since most first picks don’t? He doesn’t deserve to be in the NHL right now but I think he will be a good player when he’s ready. God forbid the kid dominates for 50 games in the AHL. Just the feeling of scoring at any level could do wonders for him when transitioning back to the NHL. He NEEDS confidence and he will be sent down. It’s just a matter of time. Not hating on the kid but he’s just not smart at all and needs work. Young kids with huge bodies take more time sometimes. The NHL isn’t doing him any favours other than destroy his confidence. He seems a little fragile emotionally although he’s borderline overconfident in interviews. He needs 20 min a game in Laval

It did nothing to Caufield to go to the AHL. Strongly doubt he was signing 8 years with the former admin. Might have contributed to KK leaving asap too.

For Roy, for how long will have to dominate (i havent watched Laval this year, only highlights) before being called up? What is the utility for him there if he is too good?

Im not embarassed by a Slaf demotion. I dont think ego should be part of any decision. I just dont see what he have to gain down there.

On the other hand, i do agree that he appear fragile and i don't think he needs confidence but i do think he needs a spark. The unproductivity might become a real hurdle. Playing with Nick and Cole might just be the spark he need, a short stretch in Laval might be it too. We will see.

 

[StCaufield]

If anybody says management knows better than anybody on what to do with Slaf then take a look at how we’ve developed over the last 35 years. I’d say do the opposite

 

[Jaynki]

If anybody says management knows better than anybody on what to do with Slaf then take a look at how we’ve developed over the last 35 years. I’d say do the opposite

The management is there since 2 years.

The past 35 years has nothing to do with them.

They are not tributary of past failure.

But they are also not exempt from critics and result will dictate their reign. Not opinion.

 

[nhlfan9191]

It did nothing to Caufield to go to the AHL. Strongly doubt he was signing 8 years with the former admin. Might have contributed to KK leaving asap too.

For Roy, for how long will have to dominate (i havent watched Laval this year, only highlights) before being called up? What is the utility for him there if he is too good?

Im not embarassed by a Slaf demotion. I dont think ego should be part of any decision. I just dont see what he have to gain down there.

On the other hand, i do agree that he appear fragile and i don't think he needs confidence but i do think he needs a spark. The unproductivity might become a real hurdle. Playing with Nick and Cole might just be the spark he need, a short stretch in Laval might be it too. We will see.

He has a lot to gain down in the AHL. Lots of playing time in all situations and an environment that’s far less overwhelming for young players. It’ll make it easier for him to work on all the small things. There’s a reason why prospects aren’t rushed into the NHL before they’re ready. Nothing he’s shown indicates that he’d even dominate that league right away. Send him down and let him play and be done with it. We’d know once he’s down there when he’s actually ready.

 

[StCaufield]

The management is there since 2 years.

The past 35 years has nothing to do with them.

They are not tributary of past failure.

But they are also not exempt from critics and result will dictate their reign. Not opinion.

I just wouldn’t be upset if they called up Andersson for Slaf. Thanks for the little debate it was fun

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Actually, Slafkovsky recently went to the optometrist and he has 20/20 vision, so he does in fact see the ice well. Checkmate.

Oh you got me

 

[Jaynki]

He has a lot to gain down in the AHL. Lots of playing time in all situations and an environment that’s far less overwhelming for young players. It’ll make it easier for him to work on all the small things. There’s a reason why prospects aren’t rushed into the NHL before they’re ready. Nothing he’s shown indicates that he’d even dominate that league right away. Send him down and let him play and be done with it. We’d know once he’s down there when he’s actually ready.

Problem is once he has "learned'" those things at the AHL level, he will have to learn them again in the NHL. The step is simply too big.

Its ok to be challenged as long as the players improves and as long as the player is in a good, positive mental. Im confident with the former, dubious with the latter especially if he keeps being unproductive.

Him playing a year in the AHL and producing offensively then coming and having an immediate impact would have given the impression of a linear, smooth development curve. But i don't think in the grand scheme of things it would have changed much.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Caufield, Suzuki, Guhle were all bust at some point or the wrong pick/trade.

False equivalency. Only a very small minority said those things about those players, if any at all.

And it's not a Habs fans thing. You should go look at Slaf thread on the main board.

 

[GrandBison]

I think we are lucky to have that kind of specimen on the team. Give him time. We don't have a Price and a Weber in their prime anymore anyway.

 

[Jaynki]

False equivalency. Only a very small minority said those things about those players, if any at all.

And it's not a Habs fans thing. You should go look at Slaf thread on the main board.

The tone has drastically changed when we drafted Slaf, yes. But thats an HFBoards thing, we are blindfully hated.

 

[ReHabs]

The tone has drastically changed when we drafted Slaf, yes. But thats an HFBoards thing, we are blindfully hated.

Caufield has plenty of praise across the league. Even Xhekaj. I think most fans want prospects to succeed but if they smell bust they become ruthless -- just like our fans are ruthless toward Lafrenière and Michkov and Wright and Nazar.

Yes, i have seen a boatload of player looking like turds in their first 50 games only to end up like major stars.

But you will go back to the pre-draft pedigree.

Can you name some?

I think his draft position doesn't matter any more, we can move on from it.

 

[cave troll]

Caufield, Suzuki, Guhle were all bust at some point or the wrong pick/trade.

???
When did that happen?
All three made an immediate impact the moment they started to play for Habs.

 

[nhlfan9191]

Problem is once he has "learned'" those things at the AHL level, he will have to learn them again in the NHL. The step is simply too big.

Its ok to be challenged as long as the players improves and as long as the player is in a good, positive mental. Im confident with the former, dubious with the latter especially if he keeps being unproductive.

Him playing a year in the AHL and producing offensively then coming and having an immediate impact would have given the impression of a linear, smooth development curve. But i don't think in the grand scheme of things it would have changed much.

I don’t understand your logic about relearning. He doesn’t have to relearn anything. When he’s recalled the hope is he’ll be a better more polished player. All he’ll be doing is applying that to the NHL. If he ever started dominating the AHL and it doesn’t translate to the NHL, it means there’s a flaw with the player and that does happen sometimes.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

The tone has drastically changed when we drafted Slaf, yes. But thats an HFBoards thing, we are blindfully hated.

I've spent quite some time in that thread in the past week. Pretty much the same as here.

 

[WeThreeKings]

Drafting 5th overall last year instead of top 3 or even top 4 will hurt this teams rebuild IMO. There were plenty of RHD in the top 10 this year. The priority was getting our number 1 C, that can either play on Dach wing or with suzuki caufield to make it a better line. im still pissed at last years goalie performances, especially beating Pittsburgh and Buffalo to make the Panthers go in the f***ing playoffs

There's 1 RHD who will be drafted in the top 10 definitively.

Jury is out on Jiricek, Parekh, Mews being selected top 10.

 

[Heffyhoof]

False equivalency. Only a very small minority said those things about those players, if any at all.

And it's not a Habs fans thing. You should go look at Slaf thread on the main board.

Oh no! Fans of other teams are roasting the Habs and one of their players on the main board? Never heard of that one before.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Oh no! Fans of other teams are roasting the Habs and one of their players on the main board? Never heard of that one before.

The tone is pretty much the same as here. Some say bust, some say 19 and others say unicorn

 

[Heffyhoof]

The tone is pretty much the same as here. Some say bust, some say 19 and others say unicorn

Truth is hopefully the latter and I believe it to be so, but the process is not inspiring much confidence.

 

[cave troll]

lol i know right.. the 1st ever nhl game that Guhle played I knew he was top 2 pairing material. Caufield we instantly knew he was a good goal scorer, a really good 2nd line sniper and suzuki it took 2 years but nobody expected him to be good after seing him in junior

Suuzki's rookie season at 20 was 41 pts in 71 game. That's the number we'd like from Slaf aged 25.

 

[nhlfan9191]

Oh no! Fans of other teams are roasting the Habs and one of their players on the main board? Never heard of that one before.

They were all over Lafreniere for 3 years. Slafkovsky is a fresh target. Hopefully he shuts them up.

 

[Colezuki]

Suuzki's rookie season at 20 was 41 pts in 71 game. That's the number we'd like from Slaf aged 25.

Funny you mention that, because suzuki's rookie season is next year for slaf not this one

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

The tone is pretty much the same as here. Some say bust, some say 19 and others say unicorn

I'm actually surprised he isn't getting ripped more than he is on the main boards, its pretty tame in there. I guess even rival and neutral fans are slightly curious about how big and heavy he is and if he's just gonna take more time than the average guy

 

[Mrb1p]

Suuzki's rookie season at 20 was 41 pts in 71 game. That's the number we'd like from Slaf aged 25.

Probably gonna be his career totals by 25

 

[Habssince89]

He doesn't see the ice really well. Come on now, remove the rose-colored glasses. If he saw the ice clearly, he wouldn't have so much hesitation in his play.

Disagree. His hesitation is a result of a lack of experience, but he's clearly demonstrated he can pass and find teammates. Vision and IQ are the last thing you should be concerned about. It's a bizarre narrative to criticize (of all things) his playmaking