Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[417]

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.

Being used for 30 seconds on an ineffective 2nd PP unit and never, ever getting even a whiff with the teams best players either at ES or on PP, does look a lot like what we saw with KK, IMO.

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).

Yeah not the exact same deployment but there are similar elements in that they're not being relied upon to be important contributors.

You can argue he doesn't deserve it I suppose.

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

But he's clearly an important player that their coach depends on, on a nightly basis. That's incredibly validating for a young player.

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.

Huge losses that has repercussion throughout the lineup. Agreed.

I have my doubts about Dvorak being that much of a stabilizing presence.

To me it's clear the coaching staff doesn't trust Slafkovsky all that much and I suspect when Dvorak returns, they’ll have even more reasons not too.

 

[badfish]

My greatest fear with this management, from what I saw, was that they seemed inclined to galaxy-brain themselves. Overthinking things and drinking their own kool-aid (Bobrov's speech). They remind me of analytic guys in that regard.

I'm afraid this could turn out to be a reality, not only my paranoia.

There are six decisions that have a greater magnitude of impact on the success of the rebuild than any other decision made by HuGo: the hiring of MSL, the acquisition of Dach, the acquisition of Newhook, the extension of Caufield, the drafting of Slafkovsky and the drafting of Reinbacher. If the outcome of more than one of those decisions ends up falling short than the likelihood of success of the rebuild will become uncertain.

I think we saw evidence of this earlier this year, for the first time in HuGo's regime, when they (right, wrong or indifferently, we don't know yet) faced heat for picking Reinbacher over Michkov. I think we're seeing it now, when I checked my newsfeed this morning, and saw at least half a dozen English-language articles questioning if Slafkovsky's current deployment is best for his development. I can only presume there were more in the French-language media.

Within the next 8 months, based on where I think the team will finish this season, there will be a seventh key decision in the form of a top-10 pick. If they galaxy brain that pick I think the goodwill of the common fan, who has been mostly patient through a rebuild, will be eroded.

If 16 months from now, we're sitting in a place where Slafkovsky's development is stalled, Michkov looks considerably better than Reinbacher, and we've got questions about a third top-10 galaxy brain pick then the atmosphere around the team from the fans and media might reach levels of toxicity I don't think we've seen yet.

Let's hope that's not the case!

 

[Miller Time]

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.

Indeed. And I'd like to see Slaf get PP1 time with Suzuki & CC... But I also don't think that not doing so is undermining his development.

 

[Hannibal]

Just curious.

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

I would not do it.

Way to early. But that, you cannot understand.

 

[Jaynki]

Just curious.

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

The yotes ;-)

I think it fair to assume that so far Cooley is emerging as the best player from this draft.

Nobody intellectually honest would take Slaf right now.

Its an evolving situation and it may change. It may even change on a dime. Thats the thing with young player. They can absolutely pop out of nowhere.

Also, Cooley appeared very small and as good as he is, we would have a very homogenic small team with him.

But yes, in a vacuum, Cooley AINEC.

 

[DarcyWakaluk]

I would not do it.

Way to early. But that, you cannot understand.

you can't be serious...

 

[Hannibal]

you can't be serious...

Dead serious.

How can you be so sure that Cooley will have a bigger impact in his career than Slaf when one played 49 games and the other 10 games? You’re the one that can’t be serious.

We will have the answer when both are 22-23 with 250 NHL games under their belt.

 

[River Meadow]

I would not do it.

Way to early. But that, you cannot understand.

But that, I cannot understand?

Who are you... do you know me?


Dad.... is that you?

 

[Hannibal]

But that, I cannot understand?

Who are you... do you know me?


Dad.... is that you?

With all your posts, a blind man can see that you cannot understand that it’s too early to predict their career.

 

[Jaynki]

you can't be serious...

I would not do it too.

I think Slaf is not meeting the standard right now and i am as dubious as anyone on him.

But its crazy to throw in the towel. Its very too early. And we need his skillset way more than we need le petit Cooley, as good as he is.

 

[BergevinBurner]

Dead serious.

How can you be so sure that Cooley will have a bigger impact in his career than Slaf when one played 49 games and the other 10 games? You’re the one that can’t be serious.

We will have the answer when both are 22-23 with 250 NHL games under their belt.

Obviously no one is 100% certain Cooley will have a better career, but from what both players have shown since the draft it's clear as day that Cooley has a massive edge so far.

Slaf looked out of place in his D+1 year and we're getting more of the same in his D+2 year.

Cooley had an absolutely dominant D+1 year in the NCAA and now he's on pace for a 65 point rookie season, compared to Slaf who's on pace for an 8 point season.

 

[DarcyWakaluk]

Dead serious.

How can you be so sure that Cooley will have a bigger impact in his career than Slaf when one played 49 games and the other 10 games? You’re the one that can’t be serious.

We will have the answer when both are 22-23 with 250 NHL games under their belt.

I dont need 250 games of Cooley to see that he's the real deal. The chances that he turns into a bust are slim to zero

for Slaf, yeah he can turn into a decent player at best or ... Jesse Puljujarvi, I would say the chances are 50/50, there's a lot of red flags already that starts to emerge, too much question marks, so yah I would trade him without any hesitation for Cooley.

 

[NotProkofievian]

I think the comparisons to Wright and Cooley both distract from the issue, which IMO is how we get the most out of our player.

 

[Hannibal]

One thing for sure, if you’re gonna stuck him with Anderson and Newhook, send him to Laval.

 

[JackZap]

They should fire Bobrov and never draft anyone from Slovakia again. Him and Mesar gonna bust hard

 

[River Meadow]

With all your posts, a blind man can see that you cannot understand that it’s too early to predict their career.

Welp.

With your posts it's clear to see why you're ratioed.

 

[BergevinBurner]

They should fire Bobrov and never draft anyone from Slovakia again. Him and Mesar gonna bust hard

The Bobrov hiring rubs me the wrong way. He had a very subpar track record and it was clearly a case of Gorton giving his old buddy a job.

Since then our 1st round picks are looking like they could all be blunders.

 

[Mrb1p]

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.

You can force your coach to do what you want. If Slaf is on the fourth line, its a phone call away. "Jean-Francois, you're playing Slaf 20 minutes a game in all-situation, now."

"Yes boss"

Lets not act like AHL coaches have actual power over this, realistically.

I don't like Houle much, either, but its pretty simple. Also, Im not sure if you can use the "if thats what his usage was going to be like" cop out here, what else are they going to do ? Feed him minutes like he's playing well ?

 

[River Meadow]

I would not do it too.

I think Slaf is not meeting the standard right now and i am as dubious as anyone on him.

But its crazy to throw in the towel. Its very too early. And we need his skillset way more than we need le petit Cooley, as good as he is.

Which skillset of Slaf's do we need more than Cooley's?

Being 6ft3?

 

[GlassesJacketShirt]

The yotes ;-)

I think it fair to assume that so far Cooley is emerging as the best player from this draft.

Nobody intellectually honest would take Slaf right now.

Its an evolving situation and it may change. It may even change on a dime. Thats the thing with young player. They can absolutely pop out of nowhere.

Also, Cooley appeared very small and as good as he is, we would have a very homogenic small team with him.

But yes, in a vacuum, Cooley AINEC.

Pavel Mintyukov's been even more spectacular, somehow.

But Cooley is definitely looking like the best forward thus far. His trajectory since the beginning of the 2021-22 season has been impressive.

 

[Miller Time]

I think the comparisons to Wright and Cooley both distract from the issue, which IMO is how we get the most out of our player.

That, and the narrow focus on points as the metric to evaluate "get the most out of".

If today points are the priority, then 100% he should've been in Laval last year and probably still this year.

I don't think that their focus, that's the part that seems to be frustrating to so many... Which is fair.

But the conclusion that this frustration means Slaf's development path is therefore wrong, is quite premature.

 

[cave troll]

Which skillset of Slaf's do we need more than Cooley's?

Being 6ft3?

So far it's some kind of invisible skillset.
It's a big mystery that must be solved. Supposedly he is hiding some big skills.

 

[Ezpz]

This was a bad pick straight up. We aren't going to be arguing if Slaf is the best player after five years, we're going to argue is he the fifth best player we drafted in 2022.

 

[cave troll]

That, and the narrow focus on points as the metric to evaluate "get the most out of".

If today points are the priority, then 100% he should've been in Laval last year and probably still this year.

I don't think that their focus, that's the part that seems to be frustrating to so many... Which is fair.

But the conclusion that this frustration means Slaf's development path is therefore wrong, is quite premature.

I don't think even they don't know what's the focus.
Supposedly they drafated some uncut diamond and they decide to mold and cut him slowly for some 5,6,7, years until it starts to shine.

 

[Jaynki]

Pavel Mintyukov's been even more spectacular, somehow.

But Cooley is definitely looking like the best forward thus far. His trajectory since the beginning of the 2021-22 season has been impressive.

Agree, should have specified best forward.

Mintyukov, Cooley and f***ing Poitras are breaking out first.