Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Andy]

I thought he looked quite good last night. Definitely like a top 6 winger. Other than that bad stretch of 4-5 games I think he's been playing quite well.

 

[ReHabs]

You’re kind of all over the place with your argument. The rebuild and Slafkovsky are two separate issues but you’re mixing your frustration of both into one thing. Whoever we drafted in 2022 wasn’t going to change the fact we play in the bloodbath Atlantic Division and there’s years of Bergevin destruction to repair the entire roster. Rome wasn’t built in a night. When you start trying to desperately put together a competitive team, nothing good ever happens of it. You just end up in no man’s land.

I think they’re the same issue: the guys who got it wrong with Slaf and continue to be wrong with Slaf shouldn’t be trusted with the rebuild. The Atlantic is a bloodbath, we cannot afford to squander Caufield’s prime with bad management.

 

[Kennerback]

Great game last night. He even touched the puck like 5 times. It's crazy.

I loved his game last night. He pushed the play more than usual. Which brings us to the elephant in the room: his shot. You can score in Major Juniors with a release like that not in the NHL. “A lot” of work needs to be done. Otherwise, he was better last night.

 

[nhlfan9191]

I think they’re the same issue: the guys who got it wrong with Slaf and continue to be wrong with Slaf shouldn’t be trusted with the rebuild. The Atlantic is a bloodbath, we cannot afford to squander Caufield’s prime with bad management.

We’re only in year one of Caufield’s 8 year deal. I think his prime and peak years will be the first 6 years of that deal so even if it takes a few more years of rebuilding/retooling, I don’t view it as something to be concerned over. As for Slafkovsky’s management, it is a separate issue. Good teams mismanage individual players all the time. It’s frustrating and head scratching at what exactly they’re doing with him, but it’s hard to explode on management just yet on it. It needs to play out first. There will be a time to grill HuGo if they can’t turn the team around, it’s just premature right now.

 

[Kennerback]

If MSL doesn't trust Slafkovsky in the last ten minutes of the game then he shouldn't be in the NHL.

Slaf‘s shot release and finishing abilities are a train wreck. He’s the last guy you want on the ice if you need a goal. Otherwise he was fine, he didn’t look out of place in the NHL. So what do you do now?

 

[DAChampion]

Slaf‘s shot release and finishing abilities are a train wreck. He’s the last guy you want on the ice if you need a goal. Otherwise he was fine, he didn’t look out of place in the NHL. So what do you do now?

Cope.

 

[Deebs]

Slaf must go to Laval. We need the team to stop ruining this kid and do the right thing. There is nothing wrong with the AHL for a kid in complete disarray.

 

[Paddyjack]

What annoys me the most right now is that trend in the media (and even here) saying that anyone wanting him in the AHL is "hating on him". WTF

95% of people wanting him in the AHL wants him to develop in peace so that he comes here ready. Do we hate on Roy because he in the AHL?? On Mailloux?? On Rainmaker in Europe??

Slaf has issues that needs to be fixed. We need this kid in the future. That is not hating.

 

[Kennerback]

What annoys me the most right now is that trend in the media (and even here) saying that anyone wanting him in the AHL is "hating on him". WTF

95% of people wanting him in the AHL wants him to develop in peace so that he comes here ready. Do we hate on Roy because he in the AHL?? On Mailloux?? On Rainmaker in Europe??

Slaf has issues that needs to be fixed. We need this kid in the future. That is not hating.

He’s showing a lot of positives. It’s impossible to say he’s completely out of place in the NHL.

Nevertheless there’s a vicious circle. He knows he has a subpar shot release. He ignores the net. He looks like an offensive passenger…. He tries to play offensively. He remembers he has a subpar shot release. He ignores the net again. And so forth…

Otherwise he looks better than Armia. Where do you play a guy like that? AHL or NHL?

 

[NORiculous]

What annoys me the most right now is that trend in the media (and even here) saying that anyone wanting him in the AHL is "hating on him". WTF

95% of people wanting him in the AHL wants him to develop in peace so that he comes here ready. Do we hate on Roy because he in the AHL?? On Mailloux?? On Rainmaker in Europe??

Slaf has issues that needs to be fixed. We need this kid in the future. That is not hating.

That’s lIke them saying to anyone wanting him in the AHL: “stop it and be patient. He is a kid and kids need time.”

Problem with that is that sending him to the AHL IS being patient. Keeping him in the NHL is rushing him.

But there is a PR machine in place that has influenced some journalists and some posters here.

 

[Deebs]

That’s lIke them saying to anyone wanting him in the AHL: “stop it and be patient. He is a kid and kids need time.”

Problem with that is that sending him to the AHL IS being patient. Keeping him in the NHL is rushing him.

But there is a PR machine in place that has influenced some journalists and some posters here.

It's absolutely ridiculous. We have a couple of years before we're anywhere close to being contenders and we're rushing this kid when there is absolutely no need to. I like Hughes, but this is a massive blunder that should not be happening. Slaf is so out of place and playing so bad, his head must be spinning. Even MSL finally benched him so hopefully that is enough of a sign to management to finally do the right thing.

Slaf is talented and could have a real solid future, why F that up by making him do something he's not capable of at the moment. Very frustrating to watch.

 

[Kennerback]

That’s lIke them saying to anyone wanting him in the AHL: “stop it and be patient. He is a kid and kids need time.”

Problem with that is that sending him to the AHL IS being patient. Keeping him in the NHL is rushing him.

But there is a PR machine in place that has influenced some journalists and some posters here.

If I’m the coach/GM and I want to win every night, I want Slafkovsky. He’s big, forechecks hard and wins some board battles. Enough that it makes a real difference having him up. But are they stunting his offensive finish keeping him up in the NHL?

 

[River Meadow]

What annoys me the most right now is that trend in the media (and even here) saying that anyone wanting him in the AHL is "hating on him". WTF

95% of people wanting him in the AHL wants him to develop in peace so that he comes here ready. Do we hate on Roy because he in the AHL?? On Mailloux?? On Rainmaker in Europe??

Slaf has issues that needs to be fixed. We need this kid in the future. That is not hating.

Exactly.

Wanting him to cook in the AHL just means we want to ensure and maximize his potential and ensure he develops properly.

Making him play in the NHL as raw as he is, IMO is very experimental and is the less unconventional approach by far.

 

[DAChampion]

It feels like they're keeping Slafkovsky in the NHL because they don't want to admit they're wrong.

I'm reluctant to believe it because that would imply that Hughes is as small a man as Bergevin, but that's what it looks like.

 

[SannywithoutCompy]

If I’m the coach/GM and I want to win every night, I want Slafkovsky. He’s big, forechecks hard and wins some board battles. Enough that it makes a real difference having him up. But are they stunting his offensive finish keeping him up in the NHL?

Of everyone on Montreal, open shot, the fate of the universe on the line, the Martians have the death beam pointed at earth, you better score it, I want SLAFKOVSKY

 

[26Mats]

It feels like they're keeping Slafkovsky in the NHL because they don't want to admit they're wrong.

I'm reluctant to believe it because that would imply that Hughes is as small a man as Bergevin, but that's what it looks like.

I saw an interview with Gorton last year where he said his philosophy is to develop players at the NHL level. He said even if they struggle at first, it's better long term.

Didn't make much sense to me. But he at least sounded like he sincerely believes in that philosophy.

 

[ReHabs]

I saw an interview with Gorton last year where he said his philosophy is to develop players at the NHL level. He said even if they struggle at first, it's better long term.

Didn't make much sense to me. But he at least sounded like he sincerely believes in that philosophy.

With his incredible record as GM, we have to defer to Jeff Gorton.

Meanwhile, if Slaf turns things around and picks up 33 pts the rest of the season (to finish with 35pts in 82) he'll be............. the worst producing Top Drafted Forward in modern history.

 

[River Meadow]

With his incredible record as GM, we have to defer to Jeff Gorton.

Meanwhile, if Slaf turns things around and picks up 33 pts the rest of the season (to finish with 35pts in 82) he'll be............. the worst producing Top Drafted Forward in modern history.

View attachment 766103

 

[LesCanadiens]

What annoys me the most right now is that trend in the media (and even here) saying that anyone wanting him in the AHL is "hating on him". WTF

95% of people wanting him in the AHL wants him to develop in peace so that he comes here ready. Do we hate on Roy because he in the AHL?? On Mailloux?? On Rainmaker in Europe??

Slaf has issues that needs to be fixed. We need this kid in the future. That is not hating.

There are a few posters here who say he's "useless" and don't acknowledge or give him credit when he plays well or makes good plays and are already saying he's a bust at 19 and only 52 NHL games. That is hate.

I truly don't mind anyone thinking he is better served in the AHL as long as they're objective in their assessments and not using splitting (psychological term for a black or white mindset) which is prominent marker for some type of personality disorder . I can have a civilized hockey discussion with people like that. But it's impossible to reason with nutbars.

 

[DAChampion]

If Slafkovsky ends up not developing from the bench the usual suspects will say that his problem was between the ears, that he never wanted it enough.

 

[26Mats]

With his incredible record as GM, we have to defer to Jeff Gorton.

Meanwhile, if Slaf turns things around and picks up 33 pts the rest of the season (to finish with 35pts in 82) he'll be............. the worst producing Top Drafted Forward in modern history.

View attachment 766103

Only power forwards on that list are Ovechkin and Nash. We didn't think he'd be in their league. We'll just have to see who he becomes. I'm hoping a modern day John Leclair, who can really produce with a top notch center.

Speaking of John Leclair and stats. Pop quiz. At what age did leclair first scorec19 goals? At what age did he first break 20 goals?

Feel free to reply with the answers and tell me if you're still worried about Slaf long term already.

 

[Tyson]

There are a few posters here who say he's "useless" and don't acknowledge or give him credit when he plays well or makes good plays and are already saying he's a bust at 19 and only 52 NHL games. That is hate.

I truly don't mind anyone thinking he is better served in the AHL as long as they're objective in their assessments and not using splitting (psychological term for a black or white mindset) which is prominent marker for some type of personality disorder . I can have a civilized hockey discussion with people like that. But it's impossible to reason with nutbars.

Exactly! You can see the potential with Slaf. I have not questioned the player, I have been questioning the handling.
The Habs PP would improve immediately if he replaced Josh Anderson on the 1st wave.

I will say this again...wait until he is fully matured in about 18 months, he will be a handful.

 

[nhlfan9191]

There are a few posters here who say he's "useless" and don't acknowledge or give him credit when he plays well or makes good plays and are already saying he's a bust at 19 and only 52 NHL games. That is hate.

I truly don't mind anyone thinking he is better served in the AHL as long as they're objective in their assessments and not using splitting (psychological term for a black or white mindset) which is prominent marker for some type of personality disorder . I can have a civilized hockey discussion with people like that. But it's impossible to reason with nutbars.

Can you quote the people that have flat out called him a bust. I keep hearing the accusation of “there’s people calling him a bust” from the same handful of posters but I never see you actually quoting anybody calling him that. There’s a difference between being disappointed in a player and flat out saying his career is over, which is what you’re insinuating people are doing when you accuse them of calling him a bust.

 

[Hacketts]

It feels like they're keeping Slafkovsky in the NHL because they don't want to admit they're wrong.

I'm reluctant to believe it because that would imply that Hughes is as small a man as Bergevin, but that's what it looks like.

Control..

One of humanity's most favourite words.

 

[LesCanadiens]

Can you quote the people that have flat out called him a bust. I keep hearing the accusation of “there’s people calling him a bust” from the same handful of posters but I never see you actually quoting anybody calling him that. There’s a difference between being disappointed in a player and flat out saying his career is over, which is what you’re insinuating people are doing when you accuse them of calling him a bust.

They're out there, many posts saying that. Find them for yourself. I'm not your secretary.

PS: So saying he's a bust isn't "flat out saying his career is over". Not sure how you can conflate those 2 comments....oh wait, I can....proves my previous point.