Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Legend123]

Cooley is? Wright is ?

Cooley imo has better chances. Jiricek also I'd imagine.

Both should have better chances thanks also to better development.

Slaf is nothing special but still was a great prospect yet we rushed him, hurting his long term development big time

 

[LaP]

Cooley imo has better chances. Jiricek also I'd imagine.

Both should have better chances thanks also to better development.

Slaf is nothing special but still was a great prospect yet we rushed him, hurting his long term development big time

"Was a great prospect"? rofl! wow giving up on a 19 years old. That's a good thing Tage Thompson was not drafted by us as he would probably be playing in the KHL atm.

 

[Andy]

I’m pretty certain that whoever is having a meltdown about Slaf right now would also be having a meltdown at this moment had we picked Wright or Cooley.

The micro, game-to-game, shift-to-shift worry is out of control.

 

[DAChampion]

"Was a great prospect"? rofl! wow giving up on a 19 years old. That's a good thing Tage Thompson was not drafted by us as he would probably be playing in the KHL atm.

Tage Thompson broke out in his D+6 season, if that happens to Slaf, he'll be a waste of a first overall draft choice.

 

[Andy]

Tage Thompson broke out in his D+6 season, if that happens to Slaf, he'll be a waste of a first overall draft choice.

not if he develops into a 40G 90pts player like Thompson, that likely makes him the best player in the draft if that happens.

 

[NotProkofievian]

"Was a great prospect"? rofl! wow giving up on a 19 years old. That's a good thing Tage Thompson was not drafted by us as he would probably be playing in the KHL atm.

You do know that Tage wasn't drafted by Buffalo, right?

 

[Goldthorpe]

I’m pretty certain that whoever is having a meltdown about Slaf right now would also be having a meltdown at this moment had we picked Wright or Cooley.

The micro, game-to-game, shift-to-shift worry is out of control.

The biggest risk for a project like Slaf in Montreal has always been, from the start, the patience of the fans. It's typically only at 21-22-23 that players become really physically mature and experienced enough to get a good read of them as pros, but it can takes longer for big guys like Slaf. So we're talking maybe 23-24... and he's only 19. It's going to take a long time...

 

[LaP]

You do know that Tage wasn't drafted by Buffalo, right?

Yes that's ym ***** point be patient.

 

[Andy]

The biggest risk for a project like Slaf in Montreal has always been, from the start, the patience of the fans. It's typically only at 21-22-23 that players become really physically mature and experienced enough to get a good read of them as pros, but it can takes longer for big guys like Slaf. So we're talking maybe 23-24... and he's only 19. It's going to take a long time...

Yah patience is not something this fan base has. I’m already reading that the rebuild has failed after two drafts, when it’s unlikely for many players drafted in a two year window to step and completely take over a team unless you’re getting a generational talent at 1oa

 

[DAChampion]

not if he develops into a 40G 90pts player like Thompson, that likely makes him the best player in the draft if that happens.

No, because

1) Production in the first five seasons counts for something.

2) Slafkovsky won't stay on the roster if he stagnates for five years.

 

[Sorinth]

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.

I'm undecided on whether he would learn more in the AHL, but I don't find those 2 reasons all that persuasive. Although ice time is obviously very important at 20-22 minutes (Is that even normal for a F in the AHL?) you will likely have a harder time focusing on any specific thing (Outside of conditioning I suppose). Obviously too little ice time is also bad, but I would imagine the sweet spot for development would be somewhere closer to 15-17 minutes. Would he get those minutes in the NHL though, who knows, last year his ice time steadily improved over time and he was at ~15 for a few games before his injury, so it's not crazy to think he'd play this season at 15+ especially since they seem intent on having him on Dach's wing.

For confidence, I don't see that as a problem for Slaf in part because of his personality. But even if that was a concern getting cut from the NHL would be a huge blow to a person confidence, so even if success at the AHL level would buildup someone's confidence by starting in the AHL you are starting at a much lower confidence level to begin with. The team resting on someone's shoulders doesn't actually seem like it's the best learning environment as the focus would be on doing what it takes to win rather then focusing on your own personal areas of weakness. And I doubt very much there's any scientific evidence to support being "the man" is better for forming neural pathways.

I think the main advantage of going the AHL route is that currently there is an element of timidness to Slaf's game. That would be easier to work on/fix at the AHL level since it's a slower/weaker league.

But there are advantages of playing in the NHL. The best environment for development is one you dominant, it's one where you are challenged but can still do well in. As an example, one area that Slaf is supposed to be working on this year according to Nicholas is his board play. That's something that A) is developed more at practice then in playing games so ice time isn't actually a big factor, and B) would benefit from being against NHL players who are stronger/quicker/more skilled and therefore present a better challenge level for development

 

[Andy]

No, because

1) Production in the first five seasons counts for something.

2) Slafkovsky won't stay on the roster if he stagnates for five years.

So if Slaf develops into a 90 point player it’s a failed pick because it took him 5 years to get there? That’s a little absurd

 

[Sorinth]

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.

I imagine there are agreements between leagues that make it a bit tougher to implement but yeah that's something that we should look at. Sure a European team might not want to take orders from an NHL team, but the solution there is simple, have Molson buy a team outright so we can do what we want.

The option is probably best suited for CHL guys who have already produced great numbers in the CHL but can't go to the AHL yet rather then guys like Slaf who always had the AHL as an option. But I would imagine ice surface size would be a factor since you probably don't want guys developing on the larger ice surface only to then have to readjust to the smaller ice surface in a year or two.

 

[RealityBytes]

The biggest risk for a project like Slaf in Montreal has always been, from the start, the patience of the fans. It's typically only at 21-22-23 that players become really physically mature and experienced enough to get a good read of them as pros, but it can takes longer for big guys like Slaf. So we're talking maybe 23-24... and he's only 19. It's going to take a long time...

Thing is that he is more physically developed now than his counterparts, and his over size helped him in the juniors. It's his hockey skills and hockey smarts that aren't well developed, but if he doesn't or can't improve those, what will he be? Still too early to tell, it's all just guesswork now, but he may end up being just an average player at best.

 

[Tanknation]

Yah patience is not something this fan base has. I’m already reading that the rebuild has failed after two drafts, when it’s unlikely for many players drafted in a two year window to step and completely take over a team unless you’re getting a generational talent at 1oa

Yea but maybe if this team had any brains and took Cooley and Michkov instead, this rebuild would be looking a whole lot better right now.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Yes that's ym ***** point be patient.

For 6 years man? No NHL team is that patient. If you're pointing at Nichushkin or Thompson as your development model, something's gone wrong.

 

[Andy]

Yea but maybe if this team had any brains and took Cooley and Michkov instead, this rebuild would be looking a whole lot better right now.

The have 90% of people whine that the habs top players are all 5’10 and under

 

[DAChampion]

So if Slaf develops into a 90 point player it’s a failed pick because it took him 5 years to get there? That’s a little absurd

What do you think happens if Slafkovsky is still not great five years in?

Hint: Would Noah Juulsen become a great pick if he breaks out this year?

 

[nhlfan9191]

For 6 years man? No NHL team is that patient. If you're pointing at Nichushkin or Thompson as your development model, something's gone wrong.

Nichushkin and Thompson are strong exceptions, not the rule. If you’re drafting a player projecting that they’ll follow the route that those two took, you made a bad pick.

 

[417]

I’m pretty certain that whoever is having a meltdown about Slaf right now would also be having a meltdown at this moment had we picked Wright or Cooley.

The micro, game-to-game, shift-to-shift worry is out of control.

Thankfully…our coach is much more level-headed.

 

[habdynasty]

Noah Juulsen, another player developed in Laval.

 

[Andy]

What do you think happens if Slafkovsky is still not great five years in?

Hint: Would Noah Juulsen become a great pick if he breaks out this year?

The same folks who run him out of town will blame mgmt for giving up on a 90 point player

 

[Jaynki]

So if Slaf develops into a 90 point player it’s a failed pick because it took him 5 years to get there? That’s a little absurd

You are making valid point.

But on the other end, Thompson is an absolute outlier.

Its perfectly reasonable to expect a top 5 picks to display NHL skills and production as soon as its D+2, at worst D+3.

All prospect with Slafkovsky profiles, there was nothing to conclude after their 1st year, but all of them had massive growth in their D+2 and pretty much all of them reached stardom in their D+3.

Personally, i expect massive imrovement from Slaf and what i have witnessed during training camp so far suggest its happening.

I dont mind if Slaf becomes a 90 pts player and 40g in his D+6 only, as long as we see improvement during this time and he is still an impact player in our top 6 growing into this.

 

[absolute garbage]

The more I see him, the more I think he's the perfect example of the kind of "tons of tools but no toolbox" player.

The tools he has are very impressive though, and might make him a good player despite the toolbox, but I think he's always going to be a player people are hoping to see more from.

 

[Jaynki]

Yea but maybe if this team had any brains and took Cooley and Michkov instead, this rebuild would be looking a whole lot better right now.

What has Cooley done so far apart from one highlights?

Cause i can tell you a plethora of good things Slaf has done. And Reinbacher too.