Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[NotProkofievian]

Crickets

 

[TopTenPlayz]

That is my concern too and I must admit I am failing to see the fast processor in any Slaf highlights I have seen or in any Liiga games I have seen him play. My hope is 1) that Goldenhands and those saying he has a great IQ are right or at least 2) that he can reach my central projection for him, a top 6 complementary piece with able to protect the puck, add a physical aspect to the game and score 50 points a year. This is not anything bad by any means just a bit underwhelming for a 1OA.

Been saying that for forever even before he was drafted. Ppl raved about his 7 goals at Olympics but he got only 1 assist. Basically a more skilled Anderson, battle along the boards and crash the net with speed. It's so painfully obvious watching him play, got no playmaking skills whatsoever. If he were 6'0 185 lbs, not sure he'd been drafted top 10.

 

[DAChampion]

I think that Slafkovsky would learn more in the AHL for a few reasons.

The most obvious reason is the increased ice time. He would hopefully be given 20-22 minutes a night which is more than he'd get in Montreal, and that would include situations that he would not see in Montreal such as 5on4 ice time, 6on5 and 5on6 in the closing minutes of the game, and 4on4 in overtime. That's valid education. I actually think that if he's in Laval he should get some PK time as well. Guaranteed he won't get PK time in Montreal.

The more important thing (I think) relates to confidence. He would get to be "the man" in Laval. The team would rest on his shoulders, so that's better for learning, for forming neural pathways, etc. Whereas in Montreal he will learn to be a sidekick, and possibly be worried about making mistakes.

A line with Lias Andersson and Joshua Roy with defensive help from Logan Mailloux and Jordan Struble would provide wonderful opportunities for learning all facets of the offensive game.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

That's fair, and who knows, maybe the best place for him is in the NHL, to learn on the job... and this is likely the route he is going to continue on, so looks like we'll all need to hope Habs mgnmt is right.

As I said many times in here, I don’t know how good this guy will be. Some are writing him off and a few saying he’s going to be great. I really don’t know.

He’s a project who seems very willing to learn. That bodes well. Last night I saw him get involved in the play a lot and he created a few good chances. Looked great in the breakaway and had our best chance on the PP (even though he missed the bet and it yielded a goal against. ) He could’ve easily come out of that game with a couple of goals.

And yet he had some bad shifts. Some misplays. And the posters weighed in. Some saying he had a great game others saying he was terrible. A lot of those people want to PROVE something every time he’s on. Either he’s great or terrible. It’s just so dumb.

The truth is he was one of our better forwards last night. Had a good game overall but also made mistakes. The type of game a 19 year old is going to have as he tries to make it in the NHL.

It really reminds me of Price in those early years. Half the board wanted him to fail… the scrutiny was ridiculous.

If he stays up, I’m hoping for 15 goals and 30 points. To me, that’s success. 20 goals and I’d be thrilled.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I think that Slafkovsky would learn more in the AHL for a few reasons.

The most obvious reason is the increased ice time. He would hopefully be given 20-22 minutes a night which is more than he'd get in Montreal, and that would include situations that he would not see in Montreal such as 5on4 ice time, 6on5 and 5on6 in the closing minutes of the game, and 4on4 in overtime. That's valid education. I actually think that if he's in Laval he should get some PK time as well. Guaranteed he won't get PK time in Montreal.

The more important thing (I think) relates to confidence. He would get to be "the man" in Laval. The team would rest on his shoulders, so that's better for learning, for forming neural pathways, etc. Whereas in Montreal he will learn to be a sidekick, and possibly be worried about making mistakes.

A line with Lias Andersson and Joshua Roy with defensive help from Logan Mailloux and Jordan Struble would provide wonderful opportunities for learning all facets of the offensive game.

Took the words right out of my mouth.

 

[morhilane]

I think that Slafkovsky would learn more in the AHL for a few reasons.

The most obvious reason is the increased ice time. He would hopefully be given 20-22 minutes a night which is more than he'd get in Montreal, and that would include situations that he would not see in Montreal such as 5on4 ice time, 6on5 and 5on6 in the closing minutes of the game, and 4on4 in overtime. That's valid education. I actually think that if he's in Laval he should get some PK time as well. Guaranteed he won't get PK time in Montreal.

The more important thing (I think) relates to confidence. He would get to be "the man" in Laval. The team would rest on his shoulders, so that's better for learning, for forming neural pathways, etc. Whereas in Montreal he will learn to be a sidekick, and possibly be worried about making mistakes.

A line with Lias Andersson and Joshua Roy with defensive help from Logan Mailloux and Jordan Struble would provide wonderful opportunities for learning all facets of the offensive game.

Unfortunately, that ship has sailed. Gorton said he was staying up in yesterday LaPresse interview.

I can't decide if they don't trust Houle with his development (yet Gorton wants to extend Houle) or if they prefer keeping a close eye on what Slaf is doing by keeping him up. One thing is sure, play him with Dach otherwise he won't see puck touches and his development will be slowed down. And they really need to give him more special units TOI otherwise games with a lots of PK/PP he will barely see the ice (they need to go back alternating PP1/PP2 like under Julien).

 

[DAChampion]

Unfortunately, that ship has sailed. Gorton said he was staying up in yesterday LaPresse interview.

I can't decide if they don't trust Houle with his development (yet Gorton wants to extend Houle) or if they prefer keeping a close eye on what Slaf is doing by keeping him up. One thing is sure, play him with Dach otherwise he won't see puck touches and his development will be slowed down. And they really need to give him more special units TOI otherwise games with a lots of PK/PP he will barely see the ice (they need to go back alternating PP1/PP2 like under Julien).

I hope that we don't end up with a Kotkaniemi situation, where Slafkovsky gets sent to the AHL way too late.

 

[salbutera]

Unfortunately, that ship has sailed. Gorton said he was staying up in yesterday LaPresse interview.

I can't decide if they don't trust Houle with his development (yet Gorton wants to extend Houle) or if they prefer keeping a close eye on what Slaf is doing by keeping him up. One thing is sure, play him with Dach otherwise he won't see puck touches and his development will be slowed down. And they really need to give him more special units TOI otherwise games with a lots of PK/PP he will barely see the ice (they need to go back alternating PP1/PP2 like under Julien).

Houle & Hughes go back 30-years. Houle was first a student, then took over Hughes & his brothers summer training program

The development triumvirate of Houle, Nicholas & Pellerin are here to stay..

 

[Paddy17]

As I said many times in here, I don’t know how good this guy will be. Some are writing him off and a few saying he’s going to be great. I really don’t know.

He’s a project who seems very willing to learn. That bodes well. Last night I saw him get involved in the play a lot and he created a few good chances. Looked great in the breakaway and had our best chance on the PP (even though he missed the bet and it yielded a goal against. ) He could’ve easily come out of that game with a couple of goals.

And yet he had some bad shifts. Some misplays. And the posters weighed in. Some saying he had a great game others saying he was terrible. A lot of those people want to PROVE something every time he’s on. Either he’s great or terrible. It’s just so dumb.

The truth is he was one of our better forwards last night. Had a good game overall but also made mistakes. The type of game a 19 year old is going to have as he tries to make it in the NHL.

It really reminds me of Price in those early years. Half the board wanted him to fail… the scrutiny was ridiculous.

If he stays up, I’m hoping for 15 goals and 30 points. To me, that’s success. 20 goals and I’d be thrilled.

I agree with you... we don't know what he will become. Neither camp is right.

The best answer is just to suspend judgement, be patient and hope that he will develop into the best player he can be. Not everything requires an immediate answer.

Those that form a definite judgement at this point just want to be right more than anything.

 

[Andy]

disappointment will be in the cards if you analyze Slafkovsky on a shift to shift basis.

He’s been one of the better forwards in camp, errors and all. He’s noticeable every game. He will continue to make mistakes and that’s fine. The talent is there.

 

[Whitesnake]

Slaf at 18 while not being ready. Reinbacher in Europe at 18 while looking much better. If that's not already a proof of how rushed he was...I don't know what is.

And if your response is that we are already full on D...it means that we actually rushed a prospect for NEED....which would make no sense whatsoever and bring us back to the stupid Bergie era....

 

[DAChampion]

And if your response is that we are already full on D...it means that we actually rushed a prospect for NEED....which would make no sense whatsoever and bring us back to the stupid Bergie era....

Quoted for truth.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Slaf at 18 while not being ready. Reinbacher in Europe at 18 while looking much better. If that's not already a proof of how rushed he was...I don't know what is.

And if your response is that we are already full on D...it means that we actually rushed a prospect for NEED....which would make no sense whatsoever and bring us back to the stupid Bergie era....

Totally agree that he should’ve been in the AHL last year. I think he improved as he went along but then the team collapsed in mid December and he went with it. I don’t see how it was a helpful environment for him.

I think he should be AHL this year too. More ice. Would dominate, gain confidence etc…

Silver lining at least is that he seems more prepared for the NHL this year than he was. It’s preseason, we’re not playing against the best players, but he’s looked pretty good in the games I’ve seen.

But yes, I agree that he should probably be in the AHL.

 

[Habs]

Slaf at 18 while not being ready. Reinbacher in Europe at 18 while looking much better. If that's not already a proof of how rushed he was...I don't know what is.

And if your response is that we are already full on D...it means that we actually rushed a prospect for NEED....which would make no sense whatsoever and bring us back to the stupid Bergie era....

yup, exactly. People gotta stop giving Kent the rusty trombone, it was a massive mistake to let that kid play last year no matter how you slice it.

 

[ReHabs]

yup, exactly. People gotta stop giving Kent the rusty trombone, it was a massive mistake to let that kid play last year no matter how you slice it.

And to double down on it this year is interesting to say the least.

 

[morhilane]

I hope that we don't end up with a Kotkaniemi situation, where Slafkovsky gets sent to the AHL way too late.

Kotkaniemi had a bad camp at the start of his 2nd season, showed almost no improvements and was out of shape. He was basically regressing from the get go thanks to injuries/bad off-season and should have been sent down from the start.

At his 2nd camp, Slafkovsky is looking better than he did last season: improved cardio, improved awareness, improved positioning, improved engagement. He improved despite a season ending injury and playing only 39 games. There is still a lots of work to do, but so far it seems the NHL isn't a negative factor to his development as much as people here seems to believe.

I think many here believe he would progress faster in the AHL so they want him down there, but I don't think it would change much to his progression curve personally.

Now if he start to show regression, please send him down.

 

[The Real Timo]

The level of stubbornness regarding sending Slaf to AHL borders with Bergevin's.

 

[Jaynki]

The level of stubbornness regarding sending Slaf to AHL borders with Bergevin's.

I mean, it did wonder to Caufield and KK.

No wonder why people want to see him down there.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

The level of stubbornness regarding sending Slaf to AHL borders with Bergevin's.

Maybe MSL has something to do with it. Wants to supervise Slaf's development.

 

[Goldthorpe]

Slaf at 18 while not being ready. Reinbacher in Europe at 18 while looking much better. If that's not already a proof of how rushed he was...I don't know what is.

And if your response is that we are already full on D...it means that we actually rushed a prospect for NEED....which would make no sense whatsoever and bring us back to the stupid Bergie era....

No, the response is that they're not playing in the same league at all. Reinbacher is in a much better situation than Slaf was.

 

[Andy]

It’s been three pre-season games and he had not looked out of place especially compared with the habs other top players.

If he regressed as the season progresses then he should be sent down. But right now based on his pre-season play, he’s performed more than well enough to start the year with the big club.

 

[DAChampion]

No, the response is that they're not playing in the same league at all. Reinbacher is in a much better situation than Slaf was.

Is it impossible for Slaf to go to Switzerland?

 

[Goldthorpe]

Is it impossible for Slaf to go to Switzerland?

Funny you bring this up. Was talking hockey with a friend yesterday and we were wondering if an NHL team ever considered affiliation with an European team for development purpose (the way many teams will have deals with AHL or ECHL teams they don't outright own). Imagine if the habs could just send all their European prospects to a SHL or Swiss team, letting them simmer there, that would really help manage a lot of situations (like Slaf's).

The fact that this has never happened tells me the European pro clubs are probably not terribly interested in seeing NA franchises dictate who they should sign or play, even for money.

So no, we can't send Slaf to Switzerland on a whim just because we want o. Maybe there's a convoluted way this could be done, but if we don't believe Slaf should be playing in the NHL, the AHL is probably a better option at this point.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Funny you bring this up. Was talking hockey with a friend yesterday and we were wondering if an NHL team ever considered affiliation with an European team for development purpose (the way many teams will have deals with AHL or ECHL teams they don't outright own). Imagine if the habs could just send all their European prospects to a SHL or Swiss team, letting them simmer there, that would really help manage a lot of situations (like Slaf's).

The fact that this has never happened tells me the European pro clubs are probably not terribly interested in seeing NA franchises dictate who they should sign or play, even for money.

So no, we can't send Slaf to Switzerland on a whim just because we want o. Maybe there's a convoluted way this could be done, but if we don't believe Slaf should be playing in the NHL, the AHL is probably a better option at this point.

IIRC some european clubs actually approached the NHL with this idea before, but it hasn't really gone anywhere.

 

[morhilane]

Is it impossible for Slaf to go to Switzerland?

Switzerland has a quota for imports and they are probably all filled now since their season has started. Also, a club would have to sign a contract with Slaf and then the Habs would have to loan him to them and the swiss league isn't exactly a development league. Reinbacher is more of an exception than the norm in terms of TOI and development.