Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[CristianoRonaldo]

Montreal not developing a powerforward in the last 20yrs really shows in this thread... I don't see a big issue with getting him some time in the AHL, but the focus really needs to be on a couple years from now. That frame is going to take time, it almost always does.

They're willing to let him not be great as he figures his game out. He's getting good minutes and opportunities (though I'd definitely look to change up his linemates) in the meantime.

Just chill. We're in a rebuild. This is what development looks like for some players.

He's not a powerforward...

 

[CapSpace]

Still can't believe we won the lottery one year too soon. How f***ing infuriating.

 

[Twisted Sinister]

Still can't believe we won the lottery one year too soon. How f***ing infuriating.

It's self-inflicted. We could have easily competed for a lottery spot in 2023 with a few choice moves, but zomg, muh culture!

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

It's self-inflicted. We could have easily competed for a lottery spot in 2023 with a few choice moves, but zomg, muh culture!

I'm re-posting this, just for you buddy, I know you like this one:

 

[CristianoRonaldo]

Habs should buy tickets to heavy metal and punkrock shows and force him to go into mosh pits.

Edit: wrong quote, sorry.

 

[CristianoRonaldo]

to add I remember when F Forsberg broke out and people were mad we didn't draft him at #3

I love how many of you are more harsh with posters than with our shitty scouts...

Who cares what Joe Blow wanted ? It's our scouts job to get the best value from that 1st OV pick, they could have traded down...

 

[ReHabs]

I agree with Marc Dumont:

"I’ll keep this short and bitter: the second line is terrible and it’s beyond time St-Louis addresses the situation. There’s no chemistry, and all three players clash when it comes to their style of play.
As for the potential solutions, if Harvey-Pinard is out of action for any length of time, it may be time to give Juraj Slafkovsky an audition on the top line. There’s really nothing to lose by giving him a chance to play with some of the team’s best players, and there’s a lot to gain by removing him from the second line, which has been detrimental to his development. If the Canadiens cannot afford a top-line audition for their first overall pick, the AHL is the only destination that makes sense. I wouldn’t go as far as saying he’s costing the team wins, but it’s clear that the NHL is not the right league for Slafkovsky at the moment, at least not in his current situation. He’s not having fun out there, and it shows. Once a player starts overthinking every single pass and shot, things only get worse. It doesn’t matter what people will say about the AHL assignment, either. Yes, there will be some (justified) criticism around the league, not to mention a bevy of jokes made at the team’s expense, but it’s a small price to pay when it comes to the development of such an important player."

No wonder the guy is jobless and posts click-bait on a malware infested website.

Slaf needs to play top line minutes or be demoted to the AHL? What? In what world does this make sense as the only two possible solutions.

I can understand arguments toward one or the other but it's not an either/or between these two choices.

 

[Jaynki]

This thread is sad and full of revisionist history but on the other hand i am starting to shift my thinking and i wonder if AHL time is effectively what is needed now.

I give the benefit of the doubt to the new admin and MSL but doubt is really starting to emerge. TC was good and 1st game was awesome but everything else have not been on-par with average standard even for a 19yo with his profile.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Edit: wrong quote, sorry.

Yeah.. i was like "why is CR up my ass about this?"

 

[BenchBrawl]

Imagine now that Matvei Michkov becomes a Conor Bedard 2.0...

The Slafkovsky pick had a lot of arguments for, given how weak the 2022 draft was.

But Reinbacher over Michkov, they won't be forgiven if it doesn't work out.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

I love how many of you are more harsh with posters than with our shitty scouts...

Because he's a pom-pom waver.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Although to be fair, concerning the 2022 draft, I wouldn't trade Kirby Dach for any player from that class as of today. And we got him there.

Like, imagine we had picked Kirby Dach 1st overall in 2022 (ignore age considerations). Wouldn't look so bad.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

This thread is sad and full of revisionist history but on the other hand i am starting to shift my thinking and i wonder if AHL time is effectively what is needed now.

I give the benefit of the doubt to the new admin and MSL but doubt is really starting to emerge. TC was good and 1st game was awesome but everything else have not been on-par with average standard even for a 19yo with his profile.

No revisionist history. I was here everyday in the months before the draft. We were MANY who didn't want Slaf. Whether those wanted Cooley or Nemec or Wright or Santa Claus DOESN'T matter one bit.

The point remains that MANY did not want Slaf. Deal with it.

 

[TheYardMachine]

I cant belive he dont even try to keep his spot by hitting, getting a few shots etc

He is out for a skate and not even fighting hard to be in the NHL...

 

[Jaynki]

No revisionist history. I was here everyday in the months before the draft. We were MANY who didn't want Slaf. Whether those wanted Cooley or Nemec or Wright or Santa Claus DOESN'T matter one bit.

The point remains that MANY did not want Slaf. Deal with it.

Dont worry, im fully aware of the Wright bias.

 

[BenchBrawl]

No revisionist history. I was here everyday in the months before the draft. We were MANY who didn't want Slaf. Whether those wanted Cooley or Nemec or Wright or Santa Claus DOESN'T matter one bit.

The point remains that MANY did not want Slaf. Deal with it.

While true, let's be fair and admit that draft was a pure crapshoot.

The defensemen were more or less Reinbacher-like. Good all-around Ds but showing no sign of surefire #1D-ness.

Wright had a disastrous season and suspected attitude issues.

Cooley's game and size were risky not to translate.

Slafkovsky didn't produce much in Europe, but he had off-the-chart size and elevated his play in tournaments.

It was a defensible pick, like others would have been.

 

[Tyson]

I think the focus of fans needs to shift from no longer hammering Slaf towards putting the blame squarely on the amateur Scouts (namely Bobrov) and the subsequent decisions to develop him in the NHL.
On top of that he is lined up with 2 players who aren't very good in their own right.
Newhook is a winger so he gets a pass but friggin Josh Anderson is simply not a very good NHL player.

At this point I feel bad for Slaf and my frustrations are growing daily with management on how blatantly they are ruining a young player.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Dont worry, im fully aware of the Wright bias.

It has nothing to do with Wright.

Many just didn't want Slaf no matter who we drafted. You're the one doing revisionism by again ignoring this big segment and making it about Wright.

And FWIW, Wright is doing fine right now.

 

[BenchBrawl]

If both Slafkovsky and Reinbacher fail, Jeff Gorton should never get involved in a high draft pick again for the rest of his career. His track record would arguably be the worst of all-time.

 

[George Lebay]

Superb! Did you do this? If so, you should shoop more often.

Thanks. I have nothing about this poor kid but this was too tempting.

 

[waitin425]

This thread is sad and full of revisionist history but on the other hand i am starting to shift my thinking and i wonder if AHL time is effectively what is needed now.

I give the benefit of the doubt to the new admin and MSL but doubt is really starting to emerge. TC was good and 1st game was awesome but everything else have not been on-par with average standard even for a 19yo with his profile.

Sadly, and with slumpt shoulders, I feel the same way.

 

[ReHabs]

Dont worry, im fully aware of the Wright bias.

My pre-draft bias was less about Wright and more about not drafting Slaf. I only defaulted to Wright because it seemed like Cooley was not in the discussion. I know nothing about amateur hockey but Slaf's one massive red flag was a DND in my books. No revisionist history here.

After the draft we all wanted what's best for him because it would be what's best for the Habs. MSL and Hughes had other ideas...

At this point I feel bad for Slaf and my frustrations are growing daily with management on how blatantly they are ruining a young player.

He's bereft of confidence only 10gp into the season. He needs to grow up and fight and show that he's worthy. The Habs gave him an NHL role and paycheque and said don't worry about anything... they spoiled him and made him feel like a little princeling. I have no doubt there is an element of fear now in the organization about how he'll handle a demotion he's earned.

Zero SoG? Really?

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Thanks. I have nothing about this poor kid but this was too tempting.

Well done. Don't shy away from shooping.

 

[Tyson]

My pre-draft bias was less about Wright and more about not drafting Slaf. I only defaulted to Wright because it seemed like Cooley was not in the discussion. I know nothing about amateur hockey but Slaf's one massive red flag was a DND in my books. No revisionist history here.

After the draft we all wanted what's best for him because it would be what's best for the Habs. MSL and Hughes had other ideas...


He's bereft of confidence only 10gp into the season. He needs to grow up and fight and show that he's worthy. The Habs gave him an NHL role and paycheque and said don't worry about anything... they spoiled him and made him feel like a little princeling. I have no doubt there is an element of fear now in the organization about how he'll handle a demotion he's earned.

Zero SoG? Really?

The signs were there especially with his 10 point season in Finland. Kotkaneimi had 29 points in the same league at the same age.
The biggest issue is why they are keeping this kid in the NHL when he is clearly not ready

 

[Hannibal]

Big guys take time. Tons of example.

Recent example is Byfield. Watched LA-Ottawa games yesterday and he’s starting to find his groove and be a very good hockey player and still blossoming.