Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Mrb1p]

Slaf has no motor!

See for yourself in the first 20 second of this clip!



It does not take a motor nor any power at all to outskate a Franchise level D like Dahlin.

Sigh.

Slaf is fast, he's athletic. Nobody disputes that.

The real problem happens exactly at 11 seconds.

 

[RationalExpectations]

Criticizing a 19 year old is not where the energy needs to be.
He was rushed and we are seeing the results. Even Owen Power went back to Michigan after being drafted 1OA.
There was no rush to throw him into the NHL at 18.
This is where my frustration is, with the decision to put a kid in the NHL who got laid out every other game.

My other frustration is that I think some other players deserve his spot : Pezzeta and Ylonen for example. I know they are less important pieces for the future but what kind of culture are you installing where Ylonen does his job well and is thrown out because Slaf needs reps without showing anything ?

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

My other frustration is that I think some other players deserve his spot : Pezzeta and Ylonen for example. I know they are less important pieces for the future but what kind of culture are you installing where Ylonen does his job well and is thrown out because Slaf needs reps without showing anything ?

Exactly. They wax poetic and preach about creating culture, but on the other hand they create an unfair environment that doesn't inspire any sort of accountability. Ylonen deserves his shot over Slaf.

 

[Mrb1p]

My other frustration is that I think some other players deserve his spot : Pezzeta and Ylonen for example. I know they are less important pieces for the future but what kind of culture are you installing where Ylonen does his job well and is thrown out because Slaf needs reps without showing anything ?

I don't really care about this, to an extent. Its a business and development of your prized jewel is a lot more important than some kind of culture or what ever good will you have.

With that said, he shouldn't be in the NHL because it's bad for him, and he doesn't need to be here because theres replacement.

 

[RationalExpectations]

Exactly. They wax poetic and preach about creating culture, but on the other hand they create an unfair environment that doesn't inspire any sort of accountability. Ylonen deserves his shot over Slaf.

Basically what management is saying is that if you don t want to play for us you get traded for nothing (Petry) but if you need to prove yourself you get a shot based on your draft ranking ?

I don't really care about this, to an extent. Its a business and development of your prized jewel is a lot more important than some kind of culture or what ever good will you have.

With that said, he shouldn't be in the NHL because it's bad for him, and he doesn't need to be here because theres replacement.

Fully disagreed : look at EDM BUF they have installed a culture of losing, it s hard to get out of it. EDM does it to some extent because of a 35% PPG…

I look at VGK being supposedly toxic : it s basically you perform or you re out, I think it s less toxic than you re drafted high or you re out.

 

[Miller Time]

Its too early to judge anything right now.

Late round steals are supposed to compliment your first round picks, not take the place of them. Its great that some of our later picks moved up, but lets be honest our high picks have moved down and that hurts more.

Tell that to Brayden Point lol

Post draft, where a player is drafted matters more to fans (& agents ) than it does to players and coaches. Sure, a GM may force lineup issues in rare occasions, but that happens much less than we gossip about.

Players are supposed to play. If a player shines and forces his way into a prominent role, he isn't made to defer to a first round pick just because. Roy certainly isn't deferring to the higher picks around him in Laval, nor will he once he cracks the NHL.

RHP isn't playing complimentary role to Armia, he bumped him out of the NHL to start the year...

2022 draft could prove to be a great one even if Slaf falls flat. Several players from that draft, including him, have shown realistic top 6/top 4 potential through D1 & into D2. Where they were drafted matters nothing to what kind of NHLer they will become

 

[Jaynki]

Sigh.

Slaf is fast, he's athletic. Nobody disputes that.

The real problem happens exactly at 11 seconds.

Well, he has crisp and heavy wrister but yeah he is too slow right now to exploit it.

 

[CristianoRonaldo]

I was concerned with Timmins. I think it was time to go. It was. But geez am I more concerned with Bobrov.....seems to be a bonafide Grant McCagg.....

He's thinking it's a TedTalks or what ? He came up with a storytelling, as if he's talking about the second coming of Lindros. Too much fluff for no substance... We are f***ed, I knew it when we picked Juraj, and it was confirmed when we passed on Michkov.

 

[Sterling Archer]

I totally agree with preaching patience and i will even advocate it. But although its too early right now to draw any conclusion, i do think its perfectly fair to expect a top, blue chip prospect to attain certain standard before the age of 23 and

I have no problem with that if Habs played him as a 1st OA and gave him linemates and PP time that goes with that. They’re playing him with 2 players that have done nothing and the expectations are falling on him.

Put him on a line with Suzuki and Caufield and give him 1st PP minutes. If he disappoints then, send him down and bring him up when he’s ready. Playing the 3rd line to develop a high pick doesn’t work. That’s what they did with Chucky and KK and see how well that turned out. Almost all the top players we developed were given top line minutes. Patches said he’d rather go to Laval than play bottom line minutes. Caufield given top line minutes after going to Laval. Suzuki started on the 4th line before playing top line minutes. Slaf should play top line minutes or go to Laval. Simple as that.

 

[Mrb1p]

Basically what management is saying is that if you don t want to play for us you get traded for nothing (Petry) but if you need to prove yourself you get a shot based on your draft ranking ?


Fully disagreed : look at EDM BUF they have installed a culture of losing, it s hard to get out of it. EDM does it to some extent because of a 35% PPG…

I look at VGK being supposedly toxic : it s basically you perform or you re out, I think it s less toxic than you re drafted high or you re out.

Its not about culture. Its just being a bad team, stop with the nonsense.

 

[ReHabs]

1. The Canadiens took a player that was consensus number one. They didn’t go off the board with that pick - unless you want to point to Wright. Even there though, Slaf overtook him according to most scouts.

He was not consensus number 1. Famously and notably for 2022 there was no consensus.

Nail Yakupov was number 1 in his year as well.

The funniest part is we also drafted him because of his *attitude* and how we won't lose confidence even if he puts up 35 career points between the age of 18-22 lol lets see how thats gonna work out for him when the whole hockey world is roasting him

He’s demonstrating a very stinky attitude with his efforts the last two games.

 

[Mrb1p]

Well, he has crisp and heavy wrister but yeah he is too slow right now to exploit it.

Yes, thus he needs to go down, lol.

 

[Jaynki]

I have no problem with that if Habs played him as a 1st OA and gave him linemates and PP time that goes with that. They’re playing him with 2 players that have done nothing and the expectations are falling on him.

Put him on a line with Suzuki and Caufield and give him 1st PP minutes. If he disappoints then, send him down and bring him up when he’s ready. Playing the 3rd line to develop a high pick doesn’t work. That’s what they did with Chucky and KK and see how well that turned out. Almost all the top players we developed were given top line minutes. Patches said he’d rather go to Laval than play bottom line minutes. Caufield given top line minutes after going to Laval. Suzuki started on the 4th line before playing top line minutes. Slaf should play top line minutes or go to Laval. Simple as that.

I also think its time to view him with Nick and Cole. I think it could give him a much needed spark. I refuse to just blame it on his linemate although i acknowledge the terrible fit and the slump of Anderson.

I am also wary of victimising Slafkovsky. We are in a crazy bipolar market and it takes special player with special personality to handle it. I am of the opinion that his current slump and the adversity he is going through might constitute a building block in his personality going forward to not only survive, but thrive in our market. Id rather see it that way instead of thinking that it might kill him.

 

[An0n]

The way management (including MSL) has handled the development of Slaf is really bringing my confidence in them down.

Doubling down on their strategy with him and refusing to make adjustments makes me wonder what they’ll do if their rebuild plan fails at first. Will they admit their wrong decisions by adjusting the vision or are they gonna continue with their way or the highway?

 

[Habs]

MSL has a pretty strong reputation actually. I’m not happy with how he’s developing Slaf but he’s done a great job developing other players.

What if the eye test is true, and Slaf really doesn't have much hockey sense and his skillset looked great playing against farmers, mechanics and drama teachers because of the lack of pro participation in the olympics? Is Kent really that afraid to send him to the AHL? Will the truth be revealed? Has my negativity worn off on everyone?

 

[Jaynki]

He’s demonstrating a very stinky attitude with his efforts the last two games.

I also noticed some non-chalant/poor demeanor. Is it really a lack of effort? Could it be him "thinking" too much and being in reaction to the play? Maybe it has something to do with what they are trying to teach him? (Example to put a lot of focus on proper positioning in certain situation)

I am unsure it is non chalance and carelessness although it looks like it

 

[Tyson]

Exactly. They wax poetic and preach about creating culture, but on the other hand they create an unfair environment that doesn't inspire any sort of accountability. Ylonen deserves his shot over Slaf.

Yet he is sitting again tonight

 

[Mrb1p]

He was not consensus number 1. Famously and notably for 2022 there was no consensus.

Nail Yakupov was number 1 in his year as well.


He’s demonstrating a very stinky attitude with his efforts the last two games.

I don't think it's necessary to start the character assassination campaign. That's a hater post, if Ive ever seen one.

 

[Tyson]

The way management (including MSL) has handled the development of Slaf is really bringing my confidence in them down.

Doubling down on their strategy with him and refusing to make adjustments makes me wonder what they’ll do if their rebuild plan fails at first. Will they admit their wrong decisions by adjusting the vision or are they gonna continue with their way or the highway?

Make no mistake the vets who have to carry players that aren't ready are not appreciating this either.

 

[admiralcadillac]

Saying something is wrong with Slafkovsky doesn’t necessarily have to be related with his production… Look at the games...

Also, more and more hockey people are saying/wondering what the heck is Montreal doing with him. It doesn’t mean they are right but it is passed concerning.

Is the source of all this bad scouting? Who knows. But to dismiss the problem is wrong.

I hope that Slafkovsky has the brains to ask to be sent down. Pacioretty did it because he wanted to play more, why not Slafkovsky?

If I was his agent I would definitely have this conversation with him. It also makes a good story for everyone (no one looks bad).

I definitely am also wondering what Montreal is doing with him. I just won’t pretend like I know he was the wrong pick.

 

[ReHabs]

I also noticed some non-chalant/poor demeanor. Is it really a lack of effort? Could it be him "thinking" too much and being in reaction to the play? Maybe it has something to do with what they are trying to teach him? (Example to put a lot of focus on proper positioning in certain situation)

I am unsure it is non chalance and carelessness although it looks like it

It could definitely be something borne of frustration, fear, being overwhelmed, etc.

But I don’t have a line to his internal processing. I see a lack of focus and execution.

I don't think it's necessary to start the character assassination campaign. That's a hater post, if Ive ever seen one.

It’s not me or my style to character assassinate. Take it up with the Wright, Michkov, Nazar, etc. haters killers and nasty, negative commentators.

He’s shown a lack of effort in recent games and we mustn’t be bullied by the usual toxic optimists into not mentioning it.

 

[Mrb1p]

It could definitely be something borne of frustration, fear, being overwhelmed, etc.

But I don’t have a line to his internal processing. I see a lack of focus and execution.

It’s not me or my style to character assassinate. Take it up with the Wright, Michkov, Nazar, etc. haters killers and nasty, negative commentators.

He’s shown a lack of effort in recent games and we mustn’t be bullied by the usual toxic optimists into not mentioning it.

He's not shown a lack of effort. He's just not NHL ready, its as simple as that.


If you want to place blame though, you could look at the clowns that mentionned the whole Slaf living by himself at 15, charismatic and being able to hold it in this market. Its clear hes feeling the pressure of Montreal.

 

[ReHabs]

He's not shown a lack of effort. He's just not NHL ready, its as simple as that.

Even talentless plumbers can chase pucks and finish checks. Those who don’t have everything handed to them on a silver platter would appreciate their career and privilege enough to fight for their own ego if not their reputation.

Slaf doesn’t show such fight. He never had in my time of watching him.

It could be he’s simply overwhelmed but you don’t expect a highly ranked prospect to have so little ‘dog in him’.

Even if he’s not a 1OA quality player he should have some athletic pride and know he’s playing like rubbish. Where is his fight?

If you want to place blame though, you could look at the clowns that mentionned the whole Slaf living by himself at 15, charismatic and being able to hold it in this market. Its clear hes feeling the pressure of Montreal.

Yup that’s awful reasoning made worse by the fact his flaws as a player are massively underestimated. He doesn’t have the baseline abilities for his charisma to be a necessary or deciding factor in anything.

My tune and analysis hasn’t changed and I’ve been largely spot on and prescient all along but I’m more negative about him now than before — I took for granted he had a good sporting attitude but even that is in doubt.

 

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

He's not shown a lack of effort. He's just not NHL ready, its as simple as that.


If you want to place blame though, you could look at the clowns that mentionned the whole Slaf living by himself at 15, charismatic and being able to hold it in this market. Its clear hes feeling the pressure of Montreal.

We should start calling him Captain Cook, though. Was drafted partly for his young cooking talent, we've heard he needs to cook in the AHL for awhile or else he might be cooked. Oh and the guy that drafted him is just as much a sleazeball as Captain Cook's lawyer.

 

[nhlfan9191]

It could definitely be something borne of frustration, fear, being overwhelmed, etc.

But I don’t have a line to his internal processing. I see a lack of focus and execution.

It’s not me or my style to character assassinate. Take it up with the Wright, Michkov, Nazar, etc. haters killers and nasty, negative commentators.

He’s shown a lack of effort in recent games and we mustn’t be bullied by the usual toxic optimists into not mentioning it.

Hasn’t Michkov been playing poorly lately in the KHL?