Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[ReHabs]

Poor kid seems like the emotional type, real hard on himself (from the mouth of teammates), so embarrassing himself like he is right now must sting. I don’t remember a single play from him this year I thought he looked like a nhler or that would keep anyone guessing his next move. He needs a loooooot of time downstairs (one stretch pass for a pro hockey player is not a claim to fame, it should be baseline).

He was allegedly drafted because of his stable psychology. Was that yet another falsehood? Probably. HuGoBo are not exactly forthcoming or even clever, can’t except them to know what they’re looking at.

Last night I followed him (could not help myself) and he literally made no plays all night.

The Slafkovsky Story.

What’s with his cap hit if he gets called back up? I forget who posted that.

BaseballCoach, who is dead set on Slaf in the NHL, claims his cap hit will be 4.5m if he’s called up. I don’t understand how that works but we shouldn’t be concerned by cap space anyway. It’s whatever is best for this prospect that matters.

 

[Tabarouette]

he did make a play last night, he got a decent chance but he was incredibly slow to take the shot and it was deflected into the rafters

he's so bad

 

[Tyson]

he did make a play last night, he got a decent chance but he was incredibly slow to take the shot and it was deflected into the rafters

he's so bad

He's not bad, he simply isn't ready. There is a difference

 

[NotProkofievian]

It's more that people want to see him playing with players who can get the best out of him. Anderson doesn't know how to use his linemates, and Newhook is not a centre.

Slaf needs to add things to his game out of which other players can get the best. Right now what he can do is fetch pucks, and if there is a red carpet laid out for him with an airfield marshall directing the way, he can take the puck to the net. That's what he could do in Liiga, that's what he did in the WC. I haven't seen anything new, beyond him being a year more physically mature.

I really disagree with the people in this thread saying that Slaf is a bust, and never showed anything, not even flashes. That's just not true IMO. That's all he had shown when he was drafted, flashes. The substance of his game was lacking, what he does when there isn't anything obvious to do. That hasn't improved at all, and I don't really see how playing up (especially when he doesn't deserve it) will change that.

 

[Deebs]

Slaf needs to add things to his game out of which other players can get the best. Right now what he can do is fetch pucks, and if there is a red carpet laid out for him with an airfield marshall directing the way, he can take the puck to the net. That's what he could do in Liiga, that's what he did in the WC. I haven't seen anything new, beyond him being a year more physically mature.

I really disagree with the people in this thread saying that Slaf is a bust, and never showed anything, not even flashes. That's just not true IMO. That's all he had shown when he was drafted, flashes. The substance of his game was lacking, what he does when there isn't anything obvious to do. That hasn't improved at all, and I don't really see how playing up (especially when he doesn't deserve it) will change that.

The people who are saying he's a bust are clownshows and really shouldn't be taken seriously. I think most people understand he does have a good toolbox, he just needs time to put it all together. The best way to do this is sending him to Laval, let him learn to be a professional down there, adjust to the speed of NA hockey and then let's see him up with the best players in the world.

He should be playing with Josh Roy at the moment.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

This whole ''promote him to play with our best players with more minutes per night or get him off the team'' idea is certainly one of the takes of all time.

It makes no sense to have him with Newhook and Anderson. If he’s going to develop, he’ll need to play with better players. And the bottom line is that we’re auditioning everyone on that line except Slaf. I don’t see the harm in trying him there.

Ultimately though, I’d put him in the AHL and play him with Roy. Let them develop together.

 

[Pazucha]

I would love to have him in the NHL for the rest of the season but I am starting to think that MSL is not a great fit for him right now.
That's why I am leaning towards this route:

AHL - > WJC -> WC -> NHL

(Houle -> Fenes -> Ramsay ) maybe someone can get him back on track.

 

[rahad]

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.

Why people keep saying 2022 has a weak draft? We already have multiple D playing in the NHL at 19. I can see Mintyukov, Nemec or Jiricek winning the Norris in 5-10 years. Cooley is close to be PPG at 19 years old only. Matthew Poitras (19) is already playing in the NHL. Wright, Kulich, Jimmy S, Brad Lambert and Hutson look like solid NHL player in the future. 2022 has a good draft (not bad like 2012).

 

[Seb]

Why people keep saying 2022 has a weak draft? We already have multiple D playing in the NHL at 19. I can see Mintyukov, Nemec or Jiricek winning the Norris in 5-10 years. Cooley is close to be PPG at 19 years old only. Matthew Poitras (19) is already playing in the NHL. Wright, Kulich, Jimmy S, Brad Lambert and Hutson look like solid NHL player in the future. 2022 has a good draft (not bad like 2012).

Weak at the top compared to other years. Otherwise it's a deep draft.

 

[Le Tricolore]

Slaf needs to add things to his game out of which other players can get the best. Right now what he can do is fetch pucks, and if there is a red carpet laid out for him with an airfield marshall directing the way, he can take the puck to the net. That's what he could do in Liiga, that's what he did in the WC. I haven't seen anything new, beyond him being a year more physically mature.

I really disagree with the people in this thread saying that Slaf is a bust, and never showed anything, not even flashes. That's just not true IMO. That's all he had shown when he was drafted, flashes. The substance of his game was lacking, what he does when there isn't anything obvious to do. That hasn't improved at all, and I don't really see how playing up (especially when he doesn't deserve it) will change that.

I agree with you overall. I think he's looked good at times, but overall just doesn't seem to belong in the NHL. I'd love to send him down to Laval for a few months, and then if he's thriving, maybe call him up in the new year and see if he can continue. He's just 19. Nothing wrong with playing in the AHL for a bit to develop his game.

 

[BenchBrawl]

Why people keep saying 2022 has a weak draft? We already have multiple D playing in the NHL at 19. I can see Mintyukov, Nemec or Jiricek winning the Norris in 5-10 years. Cooley is close to be PPG at 19 years old only. Matthew Poitras (19) is already playing in the NHL. Wright, Kulich, Jimmy S, Brad Lambert and Hutson look like solid NHL player in the future. 2022 has a good draft (not bad like 2012).

Weak draft at the top.

 

[Ajhccwrs]

The only way I would consider Slaf struggles to be alarming is if the entire line wasn't struggling. Josh Anderson and Newhook look worse then Slaf out there. (mod)

 

[JurequeparJuraj]

Tourigny comments are SPOT ON.

The Montreal Canadiens organization are a bunch of CLOWNS acting like they are the smartest people around.

Its like they live in a bubble.

Anyway it will backlash sooner than later at this rate.

 

[nhlfan9191]

Why people keep saying 2022 has a weak draft? We already have multiple D playing in the NHL at 19. I can see Mintyukov, Nemec or Jiricek winning the Norris in 5-10 years. Cooley is close to be PPG at 19 years old only. Matthew Poitras (19) is already playing in the NHL. Wright, Kulich, Jimmy S, Brad Lambert and Hutson look like solid NHL player in the future. 2022 has a good draft (not bad like 2012).

Could end up a very good draft. What was weak were the scouting reports due to Covid 19.

 

[417]

Good enough for me. Didnt need another 10 games to know on my part, but its better late than never? Would it be better to just have started him in the AHL?

If that's what his usage was going to be like…yes.

Only problem is there’s no guarantee that's going to change in Laval.

You guys seem to have an affinity for JF Houle that I just don’t share.

 

[417]

Not sure if this has been posted yet, if so apologies.

Pretty much highlights how I feel…the issue might be less that he’s not ready for the NHL and more that the coaching staff doesn't believe he is. We’re seeing the same situation that happened with KK all over again.

If this is going to be his usage, then why don’t they send him to Laval? You can say what you want about the player, but the organization isn’t exactly being an ally here.

https://x.com/laurie14cd/status/1720231307735609761?s=46

 

[Legend123]

Is the goal to destroy him?

 

[le_sean]

Is the goal to destroy him?

Well the goal certainly isn’t to put him in a position to succeed. Imagine prioritizing a 7th round pick like Harvey-Pinard over him.

 

[417]

Well the goal certainly isn’t to put him in a position to succeed. Imagine prioritizing a 7th round pick like Harvey-Pinard over him.

Or a guy that a few weeks ago you decided wasn't good enough to make your opening roster (Armia).

Send him to Laval…thats fine, but if that kind of usage doesn't change, don't even expect things will change for him either.

They can send him down, let him gain confidence by racking up points (in theory), recall him back to Montreal.

But if they continue using him like they have, the results will be identical.

 

[Tyson]

Crazy thought...Straight up trade for Kent Johnson?

 

[Jaynki]

Crazy thought...Straight up trade for Kent Johnson?

No.

As much as doubt is starting to creep in for everyone. There is still a lot of times to turn things around.

Its too early to throw in the towel and it might bite us in the ass very hard.

One thing i have thought watching Cooley yesterday was that he appeared pretty small. As good as he is, it would make us have an homogenic team. Same would go for Kent Johnson.

I think we should approach the situation with a live or die approach. I would rather see Slafkovsky end up a total bust with us than i would risk see him thrive in another team. Obviously that depends on the return in a trade, but not for someone like Johnson. We would need a gamebreaker on the other end of the trade, which is probably unlikely at this point.

 

[Miller Time]

Not sure if this has been posted yet, if so apologies.

Pretty much highlights how I feel…the issue might be less that he’s not ready for the NHL and more that the coaching staff doesn't believe he is. We’re seeing the same situation that happened with KK all over again.

If this is going to be his usage, then why don’t they send him to Laval? You can say what you want about the player, but the organization isn’t exactly being an ally here.

https://x.com/laurie14cd/status/1720231307735609761?s=46

Not sure that JKO parallels are sound... The approach appears quite different in important ways.

He played more than Cooley last night, including on the PP. So as far as "usage", it's perhaps more about linemates & chemistry than ice time and situational deployment.

I fully agree that the Anderson/Newhook/Slaf combination appears unproductive (for all 3), but it's not like Slaf is getting the 4th line treatment or yoyo treatment (like Ylonen, or JKO did).

Interestingly, JKO who is thriving this year, is still under 16min/night and on the Canes 2nd wave PP...

Habs PP sucks, and our offense remains challenged in lacking any quality playmakers after Suzuki (Monny & CC & Newhook are more finishers than play drivers). Dach going down really hurt us in that respect... And because of where we are at in the process, they seem ok with taking our lumps rather than aggressively trying to plug that hole.

Dvo, while no saviour, should help things if he can get in rythymn quickly and stay healthy.

 

[le_sean]

Not sure that JKO parallels are sound... The approach appears quite different in important ways.

He played more than Cooley last night, including on the PP. So as far as "usage", it's perhaps more about linemates & chemistry than ice time and situational deployment.

I fully agree that the Anderson/Newhook/Slaf combination appears unproductive (for all 3), but it's not like Slaf is getting the 4th line treatment or yoyo treatment (like Ylonen, or JKO did).

Interestingly, JKO who is thriving this year, is still under 16min/night and on the Canes 2nd wave PP...

Habs PP sucks, and our offense remains challenged in lacking any quality playmakers after Suzuki (Monny & CC & Newhook are more finishers than play drivers). Dach going down really hurt us in that respect... And because of where we are at in the process, they seem ok with taking our lumps rather than aggressively trying to plug that hole.

Dvo, while no saviour, should help things if he can get in rythymn quickly and stay healthy.

I find the Habs PP2 TOI is an empty “stat”. PP2 usually comes on with ~30-45 seconds left in the penalty after the puck is dumped out. They have to manage to get back in the zone with control. Really they have like 20 seconds in the zone to do anything. It’s not a real opportunity for anyone on that unit.

 

[Jaynki]

Well the goal certainly isn’t to put him in a position to succeed. Imagine prioritizing a 7th round pick like Harvey-Pinard over him.

I have the same question in my mind.

I would be very concerned if we had the former administration.

I am reasaured by the fact that they have a clear plan with definite threshold and that it is suppose to bring Slaf somewhere.

It would be nice if we could have more details of that right now tho because i think its really fair we can question what is going on and where is it trending.

 

[River Meadow]

Just curious.

Is there anyone in here who would NOT trade Slafkowsky for Cooley right now?