Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[le_sean]

Tough crowd.

To my eye, the kid had a very encouraging game. Scored a goal and with a little luck could have potted a couple more. Showed good hands on multiple occasions.

If he plays every game like last night, I'd be ecstatic.

Not even a tough crowd. It’s a handful of posters pushing an agenda trying to shit on him every step of the way, completely disregarding the fact that he’s a 19 year old project that is in a long process of development. They want results now. And I get it, it’s tough being a Habs fan recently, but it’s not realistic. We knew we weren’t getting a Bedard, so to have bumps along the way is expected.

He could have 5 points his next game and their discourse would be “yeah but he didn’t have points in 9 other games.” It’ll never end.

 

[DAChampion]

Rest assured. The eye test match the data for yesterday.

Sad to see Guhle, Matheson, and Barron at the bottom.

 

[Ajhccwrs]

Rest assured. The eye test match the data for yesterday.

That card really doesnt look good for MR.Anderson

 

[HabzSauce]

If every time a goal or assist Slafkovsky makes is downplayed, and any chances he creates completely ignored, I can understand why people here are so negative.

Yeah it's brutal. Goes both ways too. When Slaf stinks, the optimists are just as toxic. Anyone that is critical of Slaf is automatically a hater lol

Pure emotionalism and stubbornness on both sides haha. It has made for some good debate tho if you ignore the personal attacks, so that is MUCH appreciated.

 

[SOLR]

I don’t care if it’s the weakest of consensus. We took the guy who most scouts picked number one. Totally fine to say we took the consensus pick.

Guys with an agenda, a dictionary and an “ackshually” I don’t have time for.

By definition, everyone with an opinion has an agenda.

It would be best if you cared that it was a weak consensus, it's relevant to this discussion.

Connor Bedard --- Heavy Consensus - No debate
Slaf - Weak consensus - Lots of debates

I wish there were less throwing around of "agenda" on this forum; at best, it's a hypocritical accusation to curtail folks who don't share your agenda. If you have an opinion... you'd like to see the world become what is prescribed in your opinion, that's called having an agenda.

 

[Mrb1p]

Quentin Byfield hasn’t even played a full AHL season yet.

He’s played a total of 59 AHL games…this idea that he’s now good all of a sudden because he played 59 AHL games over 3 years is ridiculous.

The idea is that he would develop more skill in the AHL. Not that hes never going to be good if he never goes to the AHL or whatever.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

By definition, everyone with an opinion has an agenda.

It would be best if you cared that it was a weak consensus, it's relevant to this discussion.

I don’t.

Certainly not in this context. But you do you.

 

[LesCanadiens]

Idk man Slaf has looked pretty brutal to me.

I see the improvements for sure but he is still so raw. I still don't see any drive/confidence when hes out there. Does a few things alright but overall I'm not too impressed with his play.

I love the guy btw. Was floored with the pick and still am. But he has lots of work to do

Well, at least we can agree that we both want him to succeed. He makes lots of positive little plays that are easy to miss. Sure he still shows growing pains, but that's to be expected. For example, everyone gushed over that nice pass for a goal by Cooley the other day. Well, I've seen Slaf make several of those passes only to have guys like Anderson flub them. Even though Cooley outpointed him that game, I thought Slaf was more engaged and played better overall. Cooley was largely invisible to the point at one point I was wondering if he had left the bench due to an injury, or something. Everything needs to be put in perspective and I wish some of us fans were more patient.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

The idea is that he would develop more skill in the AHL. Not that hes never going to be good if he never goes to the AHL or whatever.

What matters is that he’s developing. And I don’t see how you’re going to develop on a line with Newhook (who is himself trying to establish his career here) and Anderson. That line doesn’t work and it’s a waste of alll of their time.

Hence, the AHL suggestion.

But if they’re going to okay him with Nick and CC, then it’s worth a look. Slaf played his best game since being with Dach and that was encouraging. So, give him some time there and let’s see what he can do.

I will lose my mind if they move him down again though…

 

[Mrb1p]

What matters is that he’s developing. And I don’t see how you’re going to develop on a line with Newhook (who is himself trying to establish his career here) and Anderson. That line doesn’t work and it’s a waste of alll of their time.

Hence, the AHL suggestion.

But if they’re going to okay him with Nick and CC, then it’s worth a look. Slaf played his best game since being with Dach and that was encouraging. So, give him some time there and let’s see what he can do.

I will lose my mind if they move him down again though…

I think its a cop out to blame Newhook and Slaf.

I would still rather see him in the AHL. Hes not going to learn to be the man by playing with Nick and Cole. Coles the man on that line and he will always be. Its very important to define your identity as a hockey player in your early years, right now, the identity that will be developped for Slaf is one of a third wheel.

 

[Jaynki]

Sad to see Guhle, Matheson, and Barron at the bottom.

Its just one game. Im very encouraged by their performance this season overall.

That card really doesnt look good for MR.Anderson

I would argue it also match the eye test

 

[417]

The idea is that he would develop more skill in the AHL. Not that hes never going to be good if he never goes to the AHL or whatever.

so skill can only be developed in the AHL?

That’s not a rhetorical or confrontational question btw.

 

[LaP]

Quentin Byfield hasn’t even played a full AHL season yet.

He’s played a total of 59 AHL games…this idea that he’s now good all of a sudden because he played 59 AHL games over 3 years is ridiculous.

Could not agree more.

 

[SlafySZN]

What matters is that he’s developing. And I don’t see how you’re going to develop on a line with Newhook (who is himself trying to establish his career here) and Anderson. That line doesn’t work and it’s a waste of alll of their time.

Hence, the AHL suggestion.

But if they’re going to okay him with Nick and CC, then it’s worth a look. Slaf played his best game since being with Dach and that was encouraging. So, give him some time there and let’s see what he can do.

I will lose my mind if they move him down again though…

Should be in Anderson’s spot on PP1 too.

But i guess the 2nd unit is working better than the 1st right now so it’s not so bad.

 

[tazsub3]

Not even a tough crowd. It’s a handful of posters pushing an agenda trying to shit on him every step of the way, completely disregarding the fact that he’s a 19 year old project that is in a long process of development. They want results now. And I get it, it’s tough being a Habs fan recently, but it’s not realistic. We knew we weren’t getting a Bedard, so to have bumps along the way is expected.

He could have 5 points his next game and their discourse would be “yeah but he didn’t have points in 9 other games.” It’ll never end.

Oh and you are forgetting that those same ones would argue that we need to tank and lose to improve hahah

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I think its a cop out to blame Newhook and Slaf.

I’m not “blaming” anyone. If you want players to progress quickly then you play them with good players and give them opportunity.

Look what was happening with CC…

I would still rather see him in the AHL. Hes not going to learn to be the man by playing with Nick and Cole. Coles the man on that line and he will always be. Its very important to define your identity as a hockey player in your early years, right now, the identity that will be developped for Slaf is one of a third wheel.

Let’s see how he does. If he kills it, why send him down?

 

[Mrb1p]

so skill can only be developed in the AHL?

That’s not a rhetorical or confrontational question btw.

No, skills can be developped everywhere incremental learning can be done.

Offensive skills are developped with the puck on their sticks. KK is a good example of what happens when you dont learn fundamental offensive skills, you can still become a good player, but youll do so by learning different skillsets than what would be available in lower levels where your physical, mental and hard skills allow you to implement different offensive tactics.

 

[tazsub3]

Should be in Anderson’s spot on PP1 too.

But i guess the 2nd unit is working better than the 1st right now so it’s not so bad.

It’s because Anderson is not on it

 

[417]

No, skills can be developped everywhere incremental learning can be done.

Ok we agree here.

Offensive skills are developped with the puck on their sticks. KK is a good example of what happens when you dont learn fundamental offensive skills, you can still become a good player, but youll do so by learning different skillsets than what would be available in lower levels where your physical, mental and hard skills allow you to implement different offensive tactics.

I think KK is a good example of what happens when you draft and offensive player but stick him in a tertiary role without ever increasing his opportunities and responsibilities.

The Canes understood this and gradually increased his opportunities.

The Canadiens sheltered KK from day 1 until his last shift with the Habs, never ever rewarding him for stretches of good play.

Kk isn’t a drasticallydifferent player today than he was 3-4 years, sure he’s gotten stronger and gained more experience. But he’s still the same player for the most part.

He just has an opportunity to contribute more behind Aho now.

 

[sandviper]

Slaf is currently a PPG player now that he’s been separated from Anderson.

 

[Mrb1p]

Ok we agree here.

I think KK is a good example of what happens when you draft and offensive player but stick him in a tertiary role without ever increasing his opportunities and responsibilities.

The Canes understood this and gradually increased his opportunities.

The Canadiens sheltered KK from day 1 until his last shift with the Habs, never ever rewarding him for stretches of good play.

Kk isn’t a drasticallydifferent player today than he was 3-4 years, sure he’s gotten stronger and gained more experience. But he’s still the same player for the most part.

He just has an opportunity to contribute more behind Aho now.

Hes a very different player than in his d-1 and d year though. His perceived ceiling is very far, offensively that is.

I dont think its being developped on the third line that made him a third wheel offensively. Its never being good enough to be the leading player on a line that made him so. Thus skipping development steps does this to a player.

 

[417]

Hes a very different player than in his d-1 and d year though. His perceived ceiling is very far, offensively that is.

How is he different? His perceived ceiling when he was drafted was a top 6C

That’s what he is today.

And he achieved that with little to no AHL time and despite being “rushed”.

I dont think its being developped on the third line that made him a third wheel offensively. Its never being good enough to be the leading player on a line that made him so. Thus skipping development steps does this to a player.

We let him rot on the 3rd line while Phil Danault went 20+ games without scoring while playing 18+ mins a game because the latter was “elite” defensively.

So despite by “skipping steps”, he’s exactly where he was projected to be when he was drafted.

The only difference is he spent those formative years toiling away on the Habs 3rd and 4th lines.

But had he instead spent another year in Europe and another 2 in the AHL…he’d be the same player he is today, he’s probably still be a Montreal Canadiens player but we would be talking about how he was a developmental success instead.

 

[Jaynki]

The idea is that he would develop more skill in the AHL.

Disagree with this idea.

It imply that there is some hidden skill that can be uncovered.

When a player can't crack an NHL roster, he goes to the AHL then he have to distinguish himself and seize a future chance.

We can debate if Slaf was good enough to crack an NHL roster in the end. But i don't think going in the AHL will ultimately rise his ceiling. Nor will struggling temporarily in the NHL will lower it.

No, skills can be developped everywhere incremental learning can be done.

Offensive skills are developped with the puck on their sticks. KK is a good example of what happens when you dont learn fundamental offensive skills, you can still become a good player, but youll do so by learning different skillsets than what would be available in lower levels where your physical, mental and hard skills allow you to implement different offensive tactics.

Skill are developed in practice (where you have infinite amout of time with the puck).

They are not developed in game, they are applied.

 

[cave troll]

When I see this daily complaining about bad linemates destroying Slaf, I just want to remind people that this year's 1AO plays with Kurashev and Foligno.
He still scored 5 goals in 10 games and carries these two with them. That's why he was 1OA.
Cooley plays with Carcone and Boyd and he still has 8 pts in 11 games.

 

[MasterD]

I think its a cop out to blame Newhook and Slaf.

I would still rather see him in the AHL. Hes not going to learn to be the man by playing with Nick and Cole. Coles the man on that line and he will always be. Its very important to define your identity as a hockey player in your early years, right now, the identity that will be developped for Slaf is one of a third wheel.

Amen.

Slaf is currently a PPG player now that he’s been separated from Anderson.

True, but also a ridicukous take. He got a point playing with Suzuki and Caufield, everyone gets more points playing with more ice time with top 6 players that attract more coverage to themselves.