Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Kennerback]

I agree with you that he show no swagger right now. But I think he play a very solid simple game so far even without points. He show great two-way ability, great protection of puck, great skating aswell. He show improvement in his game. He need to be more creative and shoot more, he have a really good shot but he prefer to pass the puck.

It's only 9 games too... so I'm not panic... maybe he is going to put 3 points next game and his stats will look better.

I don’t disagree with your observation. It’s the interpretation that I give that’s different. He is playing a very solid game and defensive ability « in some ways ». It surely enough to consider him a Top-12 in the NHL. To show he can be a bit more than just a Top-12 someday he needs to have some offensive aspect to his game, if even very limited.

I agree that he shows some improvement in puck possession and his skating might have improved a bit. The whole issue is that this puck possession is not happening in the right areas of the ice. Usually he’s very far from the net and his direction is not going towards the net.

 

[the valiant effort]

I don’t disagree with your observation. It’s the interpretation that I give that’s different. He is playing a very solid game and defensive ability « in some ways ». It surely enough to consider him a Top-12 in the NHL. To show he can be a bit more than just a Top-12 someday he needs to have some offensive aspect to his game, if even very limited.

I agree that he shows some improvement in puck possession and his skating might have improved a bit. The whole issue is that this puck possession is not happening in the right areas of the ice. Usually he’s very far from the net and his direction is not going towards the net.

And you don’t have to be prime Bertuzzi to try to grind the puck from the half wall or corner to behind the net, yet that approach just isn’t there yet. I’m curious what Slaf looks like in practice so far this year.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Rarely disagree with you but Slaf should have been the last of the 5 we should have picked.

Wright Coolet Jiricek and Nemec are superior than Slaf + their teams are not butchering their progression.

I refuse to believe this board would be on page 400 if the name of the thread was Shane Wright

That sounds like he's from France.

Logane Coolet!

 

[Johnny Cakes]

I disagree that he hasn't improved in some areas. I think saying he's made no progress is incredibly incorrect. I do think he should be sent down if he's going to play with Anderson and watch his passes die. I think slaf has improved his balance and self-protection in case you're wondering.

We all talked about what a project he would be, and how we would need to be patient, and I think far too many "Fans" are quick to jump on him for not immediately producing. We saw the same overreactions when Barron was looking weak on his skates, or before Dach broke out. Slaf is making very slow progress, and while I'm not happy that he's struggling, its just a part of the development process. Slaf is a #1OA in a weak draft, we can't expect too much too soon. Patience is key.

Your tone is that of some kind of expert; unfortunately your observations do not ring true.

 

[ScaryCarey31]

Say what you want about the player but he is improved from last year and has generated multiple scoring chances every game, if josh anderson finishes on half of those chances i dont think people would be freaking out as hard. Without dach on that second line its a weird combination of players.

 

[SOLR]

I will tell my kids this is Gretzky & Lemieux

View attachment 761404

Why are you telling them such obvious things?

 

[Jaynki]

They have no plan. Just like Gorton didnt have a plan for Laf, Kakko, Andersson, Kravtsov or Chytil.

You are entitled to your belief.

But Hughes stated in his presser at the end of last year that they had a clear plan for him with certain threshold. Basu had an article on it this summer on theathletic.com and just a couple of days ago St. Louis reiterated it in an interview with lapresse.ca

We can speculate what their plan is about, if its right or not, we can argue about their approach.

One thing is evident, unless they are big time liar, they have a clear and definite plan for him.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I triple dog dare our front office to trade him to Tampa for any player on their roster.

Maybe Carolina will make an offer sheet. Then everyone can cheer that they got him and lament it later on.

 

[Paddyjack]

I disagree that he hasn't improved in some areas. I think saying he's made no progress is incredibly incorrect. I do think he should be sent down if he's going to play with Anderson and watch his passes die. I think slaf has improved his balance and self-protection in case you're wondering.

We all talked about what a project he would be, and how we would need to be patient, and I think far too many "Fans" are quick to jump on him for not immediately producing. We saw the same overreactions when Barron was looking weak on his skates, or before Dach broke out. Slaf is making very slow progress, and while I'm not happy that he's struggling, its just a part of the development process. Slaf is a #1OA in a weak draft, we can't expect too much too soon. Patience is key.

I understand being patient. You need to help his confidence though. He has zero swagger right now.

Yes. In fact, since we want to be patient, why do we even want him in the NHL?? Being patient means let him develop, AHL is fine for that.

 

[Mrb1p]

You are entitled to your belief.

But Hughes stated in his presser at the end of last year that they had a clear plan for him with certain threshold. Basu had an article on it this summer on theathletic.com and just a couple of days ago St. Louis reiterated it in an interview with lapresse.ca

We can speculate what their plan is about, if its right or not, we can argue about their approach.

One thing is evident, unless they are big time liar, they have a clear and definite plan for him.

Plan or not, why should we trust them?

Yes. In fact, since we want to be patient, why do we even want him in the NHL?? Being patient means let him develop, AHL is fine for that.

Exactly. NHL is the opposite of patience, lol.

 

[Habssince89]

Your tone is that of some kind of expert; unfortunately your observations do not ring true.

I'm not trying to predict how many points he's going to score a year, I'm just pointing out the habs fanbase is quick to impatience with players in general, and for a player like slaf who needs even more time for proper development its tragic to see so many people jump to conclusions about what he'll be. I didn't make any outlandish claims in my post, so I'm not really sure what observations you think aren't true.

I know for sure this fanbase ruins young players or loses them before they break out. We nearly ran Price out of here. All the examples I've given are sound.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

I disagree that he hasn't improved in some areas. I think saying he's made no progress is incredibly incorrect. I do think he should be sent down if he's going to play with Anderson and watch his passes die. I think slaf has improved his balance and self-protection in case you're wondering.

We all talked about what a project he would be, and how we would need to be patient, and I think far too many "Fans" are quick to jump on him for not immediately producing. We saw the same overreactions when Barron was looking weak on his skates, or before Dach broke out. Slaf is making very slow progress, and while I'm not happy that he's struggling, its just a part of the development process. Slaf is a #1OA in a weak draft, we can't expect too much too soon. Patience is key.

Balance and self protection haha. At the cost of never wanting the puck. Outduckingstanding. What a high bar, he’s not getting his head ripped off yet this season.

 

[Kairi Zaide]

Since last season, amongst the 394 forwards with 605 minutes played in all situations or more (the amount of minutes slaf has played, basically), Slaf is 30th in points/60.

30th from the bottom.

 

[Mrb1p]

Since last season, amongst the 394 forwards with 605 minutes played in all situations or more (the amount of minutes slaf has played, basically), Slaf is 30th in points/60.

30th from the bottom.

Ya but its his d-22 because of injuries

 

[Jaynki]

Plan or not, why should we trust them?

In his former agent role, Hughes was a specialist in player development. St. Louis is a total unicorn in the hockey world.

Still, at best, its an appeal to autority.

I am not sure we should blindly trust them to be honest, but we should at least give them the benefit of the doubt. That is not a free pass. It comes with expectations and the necessity of result but on the other hand, we have also have to give them some rope.

We will see. They will be tributary of their actions and result will speak for themselves. I think we are heading in the right direction and we have plenty of reasons to be excited by our futures. Still, whiffing a 1st overall pick will be an absolute black hole and will be remembered forever in their history here. (If it happen)

 

[cphabs]

Maybe Carolina will make an offer sheet. Then everyone can cheer that they got him and lament it later on.

The Coconut has arrived! Happy for the kid!

 

[LesCanadiens]

You didn't watch much if you think Shane Wright is not in a better spot than Slaf. Dear god that's some ignorant statement. He got humiliated and then instead of Sulking and doing his Drouinsm , he's learning and soon enough he will Join Seattle

What a lousy post. Not worth a real response.

 

[Whitesnake]

Being patient. I'm still wondering how come we can't be patient with Slaf being somewhere else than the NHL. We're being patient with Hutson. Being patient with Roy. Being patient with Trudeau. Being patient with Mesar. Being patient with Beck etc.

I don't get it. Who would put a not finished painting in a Museum? Who would eat a semi-ready steak for supper?

In the meantime, in Boston, Matthew Poitras is in the NHL.....but not Fabian Lysell. Why? Draft rankings? Or just one seems ready and the other isn't?

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

You didn't watch much if you think Shane Wright is not in a better spot than Slaf. Dear god that's some ignorant statement. He got humiliated and then instead of Sulking and doing his Drouinsm , he's learning and soon enough he will Join Seattle

He didn’t sulk? Did you see the look he shot at the Habs?

I have no idea if Wright’s going to be better on not but it’s pretty clear that he’s not the sure fire guy that many (including me) thought he could be. And I don’t see any evidence that he’s ahead of Slaf at all.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Being patient. I'm still wondering how come we can't be patient with Slaf being somewhere else than the NHL. We're being patient with Hutson. Being patient with Roy. Being patient with Trudeau. Being patient with Mesar. Being patient with Beck etc.

I don't get it. Who would put a not finished painting in a Museum? Who would eat a semi-ready steak for supper?

In the meantime, in Boston, Matthew Poitras is in the NHL.....but not Fabian Lysell. Why? Draft rankings? Or just one seems ready and the other isn't?

I agree, he’s been rushed.

I could understand it if Dach were here. I get taking the shot on that combo. But now? I think Montreal has to bite the bullet. Send him down. He plays with Roy, they rack up points. The big club’s going nowhere anyway. So just let him develop in a better environment. I don’t get the red to rush him to the NHL.

 

[LesCanadiens]

He didn’t sulk? Did you see the look he shot at the Habs?

I have no idea if Wright’s going to be better on not but it’s pretty clear that he’s not the sure fire guy that many (including me) thought he could be. And I don’t see any evidence that he’s ahead of Slaf at all.

Exactly. And don't forget his behavior post-draft on social media. I've never seen a bigger crybaby over a draft (closest that comes to mind is Zadina/Esposito).

Then he reeked with Seattle, and proceeded to reek with Coachella. He's playing better now, admittingly, I watched some shift-by-shift video focused on him where he looked better...but still...2 goals last year during a 24 game playoff run, for a "leader" kinda guy. And he's "ahead" of Slafkovsky according to some? They only popped-up here after he just recently jumped from 144th overall to 63rd overall in scoring in the AHL.

Again, not saying he's a bust. It's too soon. But to say he's ahead of Slaf at this point is bordering conspiracy theory territory. I honestly think he may peak as a defensive 3rd line center that can pop in the odd goal. Sort of like Carbs was. Not Patrice Bergeron like people were saying.

 

[Whitesnake]

I agree, he’s been rushed.

I could understand it if Dach were here. I get taking the shot on that combo. But now? I think Montreal has to bite the bullet. Send him down. He plays with Roy, they rack up points. The big club’s going nowhere anyway. So just let him develop in a better environment. I don’t get the red to rush him to the NHL.

MInd you....while I KEEP saying to put him in the AHL....clearly the best atmosphere is up right now....probably the only reason they keep him here...lol

 

[Scriptor]

So development only happens after you are drafted? Man thats a load of shit. Admit you were wrong and move on, its not hard to do so.

I don't even understand your argument that is trying to prove me wrong, it's so far-fetched? WTF are you even arguing against?

 

[Scriptor]

honestly I hope Slaf gets a point next game just so they can feast and say stuff like "see I told you so just be patient!" and "I knew it, the floodgates are open now"

they've been working so hard at it, they deserve a little something positive in their misery

Even if Slafkovsky has a point next game, who cares. Those patient with the prospect's development aren't micro-analyzing on a game per game, shift per shift basis like you guys are doing.

 

[ReimanSum1908]

He didn’t sulk? Did you see the look he shot at the Habs?

Are you actually being serious, here? That's not a sarcastic question, rest assured.

Because there never was "a look."

That's just our fanbase being insecure and psychotic, generating a convoluted, baseless narrative by imputing meaning to a shot that was taken when he wasn't even looking in the direction of the Canadien's table.

Its spurious drama, as fake as the storylines in wrestling.