Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Whitesnake]

Stop with that weak argument of a weak draft please. Wright is PPG in the AHL, Cooley scroring at a 0.8PPG in the NHL, Nemec was a very good Dman last year in the AHL, same for Jiricek, who now shows promise in the NHL (nothing fantastic I ll grant you). Gauthier is scoring a goal per game in the NCAA, Mintyukov is showing incredible promise in his first year after being awarded OHL Dman of the year. Out of the top 10, only Kasper and Korchinski are arguably doing as poorly as Slaf.

Please stop dismissing 220 players to suit your narrative.

Well that narrative is this....as much as I love Gauthier and Mintyukov....none of those guys were ever pencilled to go top 3. And life itself though dictates that out of guys not pencilled to go high, some will end up being better. Look at every re-draft there is...it NEVER happens that the top 10 stays top 10. So it's normal. Frankly that year, it was better to NOT have top 3. I will tell you that the teams that got Gauthier and Mintyukov were probably more happy than every team that picked top 3.....'Cause it was that type of year. Reason why it will be seen as an average draft.

 

[StCaufield]

He did bitch to the media over the past summer summer and complained about playing here.

"You want to be welcoming and understand that this is a privileged set of circumstances that you are living under, yet at the same time when things are not going well, it's just grinding you down every day," Walsh said. "There's no getting away from hockey off the ice. What players tend to do in this situation ... is you tend to cocoon. You order in your food, you don't go to the market, you don't walk down the street, you don't walk to the park to get some fresh air. You tend to avoid people and crowds. It turns into an isolating and insulated life and that is not always the healthiest lifestyle."

That’s the only negative thing I found and that’s his agent describing how this started with his anxiety. Anyway I hope Slaf does well

 

[Andy]

I'm not too concerned yet. He was always described as a project. He hasn't looked great the last 2-3 games, but I thought he looked really good the first 6 games of the season where he showed flashes of his potential.

 

[BaseballCoach]

I'm not too concerned yet. He was always described as a project. He hasn't looked great the last 2-3 games, but I thought he looked really good the first 6 games of the season where he showed flashes of his potential.

I think Monahan has to take Dach's spot on the 2nd line. Gally does not need a top 6 center. Pearson can play anwhere in the lineup but also does not require Monahan to be able to contribute in his ways.

 

[Tabarouette]

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.

why do you all say he's progressing then, are you watching him or is it blind faith

 

[ReHabs]

Tbf,

When they made him a healthy scratch in the playoffs Vs. Lightning in favor of slow old man Staal, when we needed a speedy team...

Pretty confusing, and it did seem unfair.

The most important playoff run in modern Habs history, with several HoF bound veterans literally risking their careers and health, and MTL media and fans were largely silent on Drouin’s inability to feature and complete disappearance from the public eye.

I think Habs fans should get a LOT of credit for their comportment toward Drouin and a lot less criticism.

 

[Whitesnake]

I think we should see in 5 years, just like for Slaf, what this draft is exactly. I think this draft is getting a lot of heat because Slaf is not producing as quickly as some people wanted but Wright was said to be better than any player in the 2021 draft, and Slaf would have gone 1 OA in 2021 too. Given how 2022 went, we can assume that Slaf would have been at worst 4 OA in 2023, Nemec & Jiricek are in the same ball park as Reinbacher.

It is not against you in particular, I am just tired of the 2022 weakness argument. Even if Slaf is 5OA in another draft, we need to expect some skills out of him right ?

Thanks

True that we see the strength of a draft later on. One thing though...if Slaf would have been picked 5OA....he'd still be in Europe. Racking the points. Give Slaf the opposition that Gauthier has ( and I love Gauthier) and he'd show some skills. He did it during the different tournaments. He could do it over a 40-game season.

When I was young, I was playing Tennis. And I was the best of my small town. Then, I decided to face stronger and got pummeled. I showed skills at lower level. I showed nothing at a higher one. Did it make me learn what I needed to? Absolutely? Getting a sniff of higher levels is crucial to know what you need to get to. But would it have been great for me to be pummeled every single game? Nope.

Giving games to Slaf in the NHL....no problem with that. Staying him there...huge issue.

 

[ReHabs]

why do you all say he's progressing then, are you watching him or is it blind faith

If they admit he’s largely looked as bad as ever, they’ll have to concede that they were wrong about last year’s non-development plan.

Conceding they were wrong means they have to admit they disagree with the Habs GM. Something many in the commentary space are extremely resistant toward doing because “haters” are not treated well in the Habs fan community.

This is my impression of the situation, I could be totally wrong but it really feels like Slaf has become a partisan issue when it needn’t be.

 

[Mrb1p]

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?

You said that this year was still his "draft +1" because he got injured and couldnt play/develop. Meanwhile you dismiss that a whole league closing for a whole year with many people not playing hockey at all isnt a lost year.

Basically I'm saying the injury excuse is just a very lame cop out.

 

[Miller Time]

Gorton is notoriously horrible at first round picks such as Laugh and Cucko. He has a lot of influence on Hughes

I’ve been hard on Slaf and miss his psycho face when he scores. I hope he can improve and not play like a virgin scared to even say hi to her which in this case is the puck. I think the atmosphere talk is getting old because he needs to be in the AHL. He needs to be a top piece to improve. Baby steps

"He needs to be a top piece to improve" is a fallacy. People keep repeating this, but it simply isn't true no matter how much or how many fans staring at a screen wish it were so.

He is improving as a hockey player and he has the tools to translate it to the success we all want to see... What matters is that he gets there, not how.

Patience might shift the enjoyment of following the process... you'd think that the team unexpectedly winning could help with that enjoyment, but to each their own.

I find comfort in seeing the current leadership group committed to the big picture & not as ego driven & reactionary as the previous one. The quality of geir communication with the athletes appears stong, as is the collective & individual buy in. If they reach a point where they decide Slaf is better served playing in Laval, so be it. Nothing wrong with that approach, it's just silly to look at a stat line and assume a bigger one in a lower level is what's needed for growth.

 

[Kennerback]

"He needs to be a top piece to improve" is a fallacy. People keep repeating this, but it simply isn't true no matter how much or how many fans staring at a screen wish it were so.

He is improving as a hockey player and he has the tools to translate it to the success we all want to see... What matters is that he gets there, not how.

Patience might shift the enjoyment of following the process... you'd think that the team unexpectedly winning could help with that enjoyment, but to each their own.

I find comfort in seeing the current leadership group committed to the big picture & not as ego driven & reactionary as the previous one. The quality of geir communication with the athletes appears stong, as is the collective & individual buy in. If they reach a point where they decide Slaf is better served playing in Laval, so be it. Nothing wrong with that approach, it's just silly to look at a stat line and assume a bigger one in a lower level is what's needed for growth.

The « plan » they have for Slaf if it‘s more than just PR to keep fans on board, is taking a very roundabout way to reach its target.

Not part of the plan:
-shooting on net
-using shooting lanes
-taking the puck to the slot
-taking the puck to the net
-taking the puck away from the boards to dangerous areas
-using his body to drive the net

 

[River Meadow]

The « plan » they have for Slaf if it‘s more than just PR to keep fans on board, is taking a very roundabout way to reach its target.

Not part of the plan:
-shooting on net
-using shooting lanes
-taking the puck to the slot
-taking the puck to the net
-taking the puck away from the boards to dangerous areas
-using his body to drive the net

Part of the plan:
+Watch tapes of Matthew Tkachuk

 

[SpeedyPotato]

Tbf,
When they made him a healthy scratch in the playoffs Vs. Lightning in favor of slow old man Staal, when we needed a speedy team...

Pretty confusing, and it did seem unfair.

That’s not what happened though, Drouin pulled himself out of the lineup because of anxiety related issues, I’m sure the Habs would’ve been happy to have him in the lineup during that playoff run.

 

[DAChampion]

I’m sure the Habs would’ve been happy to have him in the lineup during that playoff run.

That is not clearly so.

 

[SpeedyPotato]

That is not clearly so.

Well I’m assuming, I guess there was still hope back then, but maybe not you’re right.

 

[StCaufield]

"He needs to be a top piece to improve" is a fallacy. People keep repeating this, but it simply isn't true no matter how much or how many fans staring at a screen wish it were so.

He is improving as a hockey player and he has the tools to translate it to the success we all want to see... What matters is that he gets there, not how.

Patience might shift the enjoyment of following the process... you'd think that the team unexpectedly winning could help with that enjoyment, but to each their own.

I find comfort in seeing the current leadership group committed to the big picture & not as ego driven & reactionary as the previous one. The quality of geir communication with the athletes appears stong, as is the collective & individual buy in. If they reach a point where they decide Slaf is better served playing in Laval, so be it. Nothing wrong with that approach, it's just silly to look at a stat line and assume a bigger one in a lower level is what's needed for growth.

I don’t look at the stat line but I agree mostly. He makes a couple of nice passes here and there but the eye test has been pretty bad

 

[rik schau]

A pawn in the marketing as was KK,and it works! Generates discussion and interest and sells seats and merchandise. I can see Molson greedily rubbing his hands together laughing all the way to the bank.lol

 

[nhlfan9191]

That’s not what happened though, Drouin pulled himself out of the lineup because of anxiety related issues, I’m sure the Habs would’ve been happy to have him in the lineup during that playoff run.

If Tatar was scratched the entire postseason, Drouin had no chance of being in the line up. They were looking for more sandpaper players in that postseason run.

 

[River Meadow]

That’s not what happened though, Drouin pulled himself out of the lineup because of anxiety related issues, I’m sure the Habs would’ve been happy to have him in the lineup during that playoff run.

I'm talking about KK, not Drouin.

 

[Egresch]

I don’t look at the stat line but I agree mostly. He makes a couple of nice passes here and there but the eye test has been pretty bad

Eye test was pretty bad last 2-3 games. This line played 7 games together and it is more than obvious that it is not working. They even tried in pre-season and it was not working. Why the hell is MSL waiting and refusing to make a change? I seriously do not see a single reason why he should not switch Monahan and Newhook.

 

[JoelWarlord]

Hoping they either change that 2nd line around or send him down (unless that line suddenly starts to click), I was broadly in favour of keeping him in the NHL at the beginning of the year but Dach's injury really changes things. If they're not willing to put Anderson on L3 or try Slafkovsky on L1 (as it seems they've finally come to grips with the fact Anderson is a horrible fit with Suzuki & Caufield) I just don't really see a good spot for them to put Slafkovsky right now so I'd prefer to see him in the AHL. This Dach injury really f***ing sucks, such a terrible impact on Newhook & Slafkovsky this year for development.

Generally speaking I thought Slafkovsky has looked pretty good this year up until the last couple of games, but if they're going to use Anderson ahead of him on PP1 and keep him shackled to Anderson on line 2 I just don't think it's the best place for him to be right now. It's also not really fair to Newhook to have him trying to play C (which he probably wasn't supposed to be doing much this year) and also have to work with another young player with Anderson providing no meaningful support.

Somewhat related but I really, really, really hope this is the last year Anderson is on this team. For the life of me I'll never understand why Anderson is seen as a player that actually HURTS our ability to tank. All he can do is score solo rush goals, offers nothing defensively, can't forecheck, can't pass, can't cycle, and he's OK carrying the puck in transition but usually just wastes it driving to the outside to take a low percentage shot. He's gotta go.

 

[Takeru]

Not reading this thread, but just wanted to chime in that Byfield is FINALLY showing why he was a top 2 pick FOUR years after being drafted. Similar profile to Slafkovsky.

Decent comparative.

Major distinction is Byfield spent time in the AHL to polish his game, most of which during his first season. This is the ingredient that seems to be missing in Slaf's plan so far. Not saying it's impossible that he doesn't end up on the same path ultimately, but it does feel like we're sticking to our unfruitful development recipe by rushing and keeping a player in the NHL despite very little encouraging signs (from what I can gather).

The worry I have and see expressed in this thread is the following:
There's an opportunity cost during the first few seasons of development in terms of playtime/learning experiences. We should look to optimize it as much as possible, which doesn't seem to be the case atm when looking at the combined body of work of Slaf's first 50 games. Maybe it'll change sometime this season or the approach will be adapted, but there is some cause for concern that we're not making the most of these years as Slaf seems in over his head at the NHL level.

 

[morhilane]

Eye test was pretty bad last 2-3 games. This line played 7 games together and it is more than obvious that it is not working. They even tried in pre-season and it was not working. Why the hell is MSL waiting and refusing to make a change? I seriously do not see a single reason why he should not switch Monahan and Newhook.

Going by Sportsnet and LaPresse articles this morning, MSL wants them to learn to play as a line and use their teammates instead of speeding ahead. So looks like that line is staying together to develop Anderson (and Newhook to a lesser extend)...

 

[badfish]

I think he passed the eye test (but not the production test) in pre-season and the first six games of the season. I agreed with posters that argued there was an upwards trend in his play from last year. Regrettably, the last three games he looked rough. It's normal for players (especially young) to have ups and downs but what is unfortunate is during his "up" he didn' produce.

Some people have characterized Slaf's struggles on his linemates. I can understand where that hypothesis comes from; Anderson has yet to click with anyone in a top-6 role and Newhook looked much better as a winger. I think when Dvorak comes back, you can test the linemate hypothesis by stapling Slafkovsky on Monahan's wing for 10 games. Monahan is a vet, plays the game well, and has produced offensively over his two seasons with the Canadiens thus far. If Slafkovsky can't work with Monahan, and still looks like the player we saw the last 3 games, then I think it's hard to argue "it's his linemates" anymore.

At that point it will be end of November/early December. Maybe it will be time for a reset on the development approach.

 

[LesCanadiens]

That's okay I won my point , you have no idea that players need development before they hit the top.

Yeah, you're a real winner . I had NO idea players need development until your wonderful post showed me the way...how can I ever repay you?