Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Grate n Colorful Oz]

Only the hockey historians knew that...

They are watching.. for the exponential, parabolic growth.

 

[ReHabs]

I agree about his shot. It's like he's too tentative, it explains why he gets stripped of the puck so much because his decision-making is a tad too slow. Hence why he should learn in AHL, because the step between Liiga and its bigger ice and the NHL is enormous.

That the Habs and genius HuGoBo thought Slaf could adapt to the NHL without any intermezzo is genuinely baffling.

And his injury gave the perfect excuse to start him this season in the AHL or elsewhere.

Instead they remained on a collision course with failure, struggle, and uncertainty. I feel like they have to keep him in the NHL because they feel there is no other way this ultra-raw, unrefined prospect, who needs training to learn how to breathe and track the puck, can develop into a dominant NHL player.

Now, if that’s the case… why would they draft him in the first place? The Habs needed PMD, a C, skill W — any of the other top5 were perfectly suitable gambles. Why gamble the 1OA on the guy who can’t breathe or think too hard?

 

[Toene]

Why gamble the 1OA on the guy who can’t breathe or think too hard?

Because he has a monster ceiling. But he needs the right development to reach it, which we could argue he not receiving right now.

 

[Wats]

I can't get over how easily he gets trucked when being big and strong was literally why he was drafted so high. Maybe the people asking his to be sent to junior were on to something last year, don't know if he's even physically ready for the AHL yet. Has to really learn how to protect himself using his size, might need to start with guys his age.

 

[River Meadow]

I can't get over how easily he gets trucked when being big and strong was literally why he was drafted so high.

Imagine getting Scott Steven'd by Shayne Gostithhbeehrhebhre

He is a PMD not physical in the least.

 

[habdynasty]

Steven’s left guys with scrambled brains. That ain’t a. Steven’s hit lol

 

[cave troll]

Yep. Slaf's physicallity is out of scale.
I expect him to be knocked down by DeBrincat too.

 

[ReHabs]

Because he has a monster ceiling. But he needs the right development to reach it, which we could argue he not receiving right now.

The guy who scored 10pts in Liiga has a monster ceiling? How exactly?

The unicorn thing I understand but more of a “strong, tenacious 70pt big body winger who can play through traffic and earn space” unicorn. That is to say, it’s all about his size. Which he doesn’t know how to use yet.

 

[Toene]

The guy who scored 10pts in Liiga has a monster ceiling? How exactly?

The unicorn thing I understand but more of a “strong, tenacious 70pt big body winger who can play through traffic and earn space” unicorn. That is to say, it’s all about his size. Which he doesn’t know how to use yet.

That's monster potential imo. A Josh Anderson with skills is a player every team dreams of having.

 

[River Meadow]

The guy who scored 10pts in Liiga has a monster ceiling? How exactly?

The unicorn thing I understand but more of a “strong, tenacious 70pt big body winger who can play through traffic and earn space” unicorn. That is to say, it’s all about his size. Which he doesn’t know how to use yet.

Because he was drafted 1st OA.

Steven’s left guys with scrambled brains. That ain’t a. Steven’s hit lol

It's called an exaggeration for comedic/relatability effect and to illustrate the point.

 

[ReHabs]

That's monster potential imo. A Josh Anderson with skills is a player every team dreams of having.

Yes I agree — hence unicorn. But I wouldn’t say he has a crazy high ceiling. Two different things imo.

 

[Toene]

Yes I agree — hence unicorn. But I wouldn’t say he has a crazy high ceiling. Two different things imo.

Fair enough

 

[Dach Vader]

I thought Juraj has looked good the last couple of games. I've been wrong before but I think he will a good player and make an impact one day.

 

[Tyson]

I thought Juraj has looked good the last couple of games. I've been wrong before but I think he will a good player and make an impact one day.

It's a process and I agree, the past couple of games he has been involved, generating opportunities. Patience for sure.

 

[Dach Vader]

It's a process and I agree, the past couple of games he has been involved, generating opportunities. Patience for sure.

I'm not in a rush. He can play in the NHL. I'll give him another 100-150 games and see where he's at.

Dach is out for the season. Newhook hasn't convinced me. Getting another top pick would be ideal. Dach can heal up, Slaf & Reinbacher can grow and we can go from there

 

[Tyson]

I'm not in a rush. He can play in the NHL. I'll give him another 100-150 games and see where he's at.

Dach is out for the season. Newhook hasn't convinced me. Getting another top pick would be ideal. Dach can heal up, Slaf & Reinbacher can grow and we can go from there

My issue has always been with how management has decided to proceed with his development. You can see glimpses of his talent level and skill set.

 

[Dach Vader]

My only complaint is Anderson on the 1st powerplay. Give that to Slafkovsky. If he's going to develop in the NHL, then develop him and give him those minutes.

 

[NotProkofievian]

I'm not in a rush. He can play in the NHL. I'll give him another 100-150 games and see where he's at.

Dach is out for the season. Newhook hasn't convinced me. Getting another top pick would be ideal. Dach can heal up, Slaf & Reinbacher can grow and we can go from there

After another 150 games, he better be at a finished product or we have a problem.

 

[Dach Vader]

After another 150 games, he better be at a finished product or we have a problem.

Let him play out his ELC. He's not Bambi out there but he's not a man yet. He's still very raw.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Let him play out his ELC. He's not Bambi out there but he's not a man yet. He's still very raw.

That worked out really well for us with Bambi, didn't it?

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

That's monster potential imo. A Josh Anderson with skills is a player every team dreams of having.

Josh Anderson's issue isn't skills, it's hockey IQ and decision making, same flaws Slaf has.

 

[Dach Vader]

That worked out really well for us with Bambi, didn't it?

I dont think you understand what I was trying to say. I wasn't referring to Kotkaniemi. I'm just saying he looks strong on his skates for a big lanky guy.

On the subject of Kotkaniemi.
Slafkovsky in my eyes is more talented. KK was more fiesty.

 

[SlafySZN]

After another 150 games, he better be at a finished product or we have a problem.

A finished product after 150 games? lol

 

[NotProkofievian]

A finished product after 150 games? lol

Another 150 games takes him to the end of his ELC, so 3 seasons in the NHL. How long did you want to spend developing our 1st overall pick, exactly?

 

[Tyson]

Josh Anderson's issue isn't skills, it's hockey IQ and decision making, same flaws Slaf has.

I would argue that Slaf sees the ice much better than Anderson. Slaf is also an underrated playmaker.