Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Lafleurs Guy]

at least he looks OK (passable) since being on the top line compared to looking like a dog on that atrocious experiment MSL was trying with anderson and newhook

Slaf should be nowhere near Anderson right now. It might’ve worked if Dach were there but…

 

[Heffyhoof]

I don’t know what they’re doing with him. I really don’t get it.

Play him on the first… okay, he has a good game. Next game? Break up a combo that’s been together for two years.

It just doesn’t make any sense and it’s straight out of the Therrien playbook.

At least they kept him with one of the two in Caufield. In fairness, Caufield and Suzuki haven't been getting nearly enough done at 5-5. Lots of points from the power play and OT so far this year. Free Monohan and make him their centre.

 

[nhlfan9191]

I'll give you an example.

Take Filip Mesar...a few weeks ago, everyone was down on him because he was struggling making his mark and sticking with the Laval Rocket. JF Houle couldn't find him a spot in the lineup, he looked weak and overmatched in the AHL.

A few weeks later he's a dominant player (at least statistically) in the CHL, but has he truly developed as a result of playing at a lower level? Is he a different player today than he was 3 weeks ago when everyone and their mama was complaining about how much better Jiri Kulich looked and he was the guy they should have picked?

If Mesar goes on to have a 100+ point season in the CHL this season, does that mean he's ready for the NHL next year? if not, does that in itself guarantee that he'll be a dominant player in the AHL because he went down this year?

So when you say that "everyone would benefit from him going down to the AHL", i'm not entirely convinced of that. I think conceptually, you might be right, but in practicality...it's a lot more complex than just what level he's playing at.

If Mesar wasn’t good enough to play in all situations in the AHL but he is in the CHL, then yes he is better off. Same exact thing for Slafkovsky only he’s further up the latter then Mesar right now. The value isn’t just putting up points and confidence although that is one thing, it’s the minutes and the opportunities. You saw it last night when he was on the bench. He’s playing and learning in a pro league how to play those tough minutes in AHL instead of rotting when it’s a tie or a one goal game. That experience is more valuable then anything. And to the people who’re going to counter by saying what happens if he’s sent down and he doesn’t end up playing those minutes. If he isn’t good enough get those minutes in the AHL right now, then what the hell is he even doing in the NHL at all right now? And my theory is that’s what management is afraid of happening. They look mighty stupid if something like that happens, especially after over a season of experimenting.

 

[River Meadow]

If Mesar wasn’t good enough to play in all situations in the AHL but he is in the CHL, then yes he is better off. Same exact thing for Slafkovsky only he’s further up the latter then Mesar right now. The value isn’t just putting up points and confidence although that is one thing, it’s the minutes and the opportunities. You saw it last night when he was on the bench. He’s playing and learning in a pro league how to play those tough minutes in AHL instead of rotting when it’s a tie or a one goal game. That experience is more valuable then anything. And to the people saying what if he doesn’t end up playing those minutes. If he isn’t good enough to do that in the AHL right now, then what the hell is he even doing in the NHL at all right now? And my theory is that’s what management is afraid of happening. They mighty stupid if something like that happens.

Very hard to argue with this post...

 

[417]

Y'all musta forgot about Slafkovsky favorite comparable, Tage Thompson.

View attachment 766230

That's not 3 full years...that's the equivalent of 1 full AHL season (a total of 70 AHL games) spread out over 3.5 professional seasons where he saw both AHL/NHL time.

The only information you should be gleaming from this is that development doesn't strictly happen in the AHL.

It took Tage Thompson a total of 70 AHL games + 145 NHL games, spread out over 3.5 years for him to become the player he is today.

To assume only his AHL time, is what contributed to the player he is today and not the 145 NHL games he played prior to the 2021-22 season, is not an accurate assessment.

 

[River Meadow]

That's not 3 full years...that's the equivalent of 1 full AHL season (a total of 70 AHL games) spread out over 3.5 professional seasons where he saw both AHL/NHL time.

The only information you should be gleaming from this is that development doesn't strictly happen in the AHL.

It took Tage Thompson a total of 70 AHL games + 145 NHL games, spread out over 3.5 years for him to become the player he is today.

To assume only his AHL time, is what contributed to the player he is today and not the 145 NHL games he played prior to the 2021-22 season, is not a fair assessment.

What are you even arguing though?

You're nitpicking because I said he should be in the AHL for as long as it takes, whether that is 1-2-3 years, or more.

I'm not saying, he should absolutely stay in the AHL for 3 full seasons no matter what. Not sure why you singled that out and you're taking it literally as an absolute.

I'm saying he should be in the AHL for however long it takes him to develop. Whether that's 2 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years or more, it would IMO be preferable to how they are developing him now by severely limiting and cherry picking his minutes and which situations he plays.

 

[DAChampion]

I think that Slafkovsky should have played one more year in Finland and then one year in the NHL. His rookie campaign would be next year.

But that opportunity has passed. They should send him to the AHL through the end of this season.

 

[417]

If Mesar wasn’t good enough to play in all situations in the AHL but he is in the CHL, then yes he is better off.

Sure, he's better off in the CHL because he's going to be given those opportunities.

But had we had a coach in the AHL who was willing to provide him with those opportunities, I would have personally preferred he stayed in the AHL.

He's going to be put a lot of points in the CHL this season as long as he's healthy. I think we all expect that.

But I guarantee you that at next training camp, we're all going to be talking about the same holes in his game and he won't be any closer to reaching the NHL next year, as he was 3 weeks ago.

Same exact thing for Slafkovsky only he’s further up the latter then Mesar right now. The value isn’t just putting up points and confidence although that is one thing, it’s the minutes and the opportunities. You saw it last night when he was on the bench. He’s playing and learning in a pro league how to play those tough minutes in AHL instead of rotting when it’s a tie or a one goal game. That experience is more valuable then anything. And to the people who’re going to counter by saying what happens if he’s went down and he doesn’t end up playing those minutes. If he isn’t good enough get those minutes in the AHL right now, then what the hell is he even doing in the NHL at all right now? And my theory is that’s what management is afraid of happening. They look mighty stupid if something like that happens, especially after over a season of experimenting.

I don't disagree with the overall tone of your post, but only thing i'd add is that coaching no matter the level seems to resemble itself. Coaches have difficulty trust young players and it isn't always about how that player isn't ready for it.

We're seeing it with MSL right now. So I thin it's a valid concern to ask if he was sent down to the AHL (which again, i'm for as of today), whether or not the coaching staff there would give him those opportunities or not.

 

[Redux91]

Y'all musta forgot about Slafkovsky favorite comparable, Tage Thompson.

View attachment 766230

He literally says high 1st round pick
And 3 full years of AHL

And you f***ing bring up a late 1st round pick who played 70 AHL games
I can't even

 

[417]

What are you even arguing though?

Seems pretty clear to me.

You're nitpicking because I said he should be in the AHL for as long as it takes, whether that is 1-2-3 years, or more.

I'm not saying, he should absolutely stay in the AHL for 3 full seasons no matter what. Not sure why you singled that out and you're taking it literally as an absolute.

I'm saying he should be in the AHL for however long it takes him to develop. Whether that's 2 months, 1 year, 2 years, 3 years or more, it would IMO be preferable to how they are developing him now by severely limiting and cherry picking his minutes and which situations he plays.

You brought up Tage Thompson as an example of a guy who spent some time in the AHL before he broke out.

But it seems you're completely neglecting all those games he spent in the NHL toiling away playing a minimal role, did those not contribute to the player he became in 2021-22?

I mean, he never played more than 30 AHL games in ANY professional season...why would you use that as your example and completely ignore the fact that he actually played WAY more NHL games (145) where he wasn't producing a whole lot (and even got traded in the process)?

If you're going to use Tage Thompson as your example, than it leads more to the Habs continuing to keep Slafkovsky in the NHL more than anything.

It took Tage Thompson 215 professional games (70 AHL & 145 NHL) before he broke out to be the player we all see today. Most fans don't have the patience for that, but I promise you, whether he was in the AHL or NHL during that time, all of those games contributed to him eventually breaking out. Yes, even the NHL season where he had 7 goals 5 assists for 12 pts and a -22 in 65 NHL games.

 

[River Meadow]

Seems pretty clear to me.

You brought up Tage Thompson as an example of a guy who spent some time in the AHL before he broke out.

But it seems you're completely neglecting all those games he spent in the NHL toiling away playing a minimal role, did those not contribute to the player he became in 2021-22?

I mean, he never played more than 30 AHL games in ANY professional season...why would you use that as your example and completely ignore the fact that he actually played WAY more NHL games (145) where he wasn't producing a whole lot (and even got traded in the process)?

If you're going to use Tage Thompson as your example, than it leads more to the Habs continuing to keep him in the NHL more than anything.

The Tage Thompson comparable is a meme, sir.

He literally says high 1st round pick
And 3 full years of AHL

And you f***ing bring up a late 1st round pick who played 70 AHL games
I can't even

Then don't

 

[417]

The Tage Thompson comparable is a meme, sir.

I mean you brought him up, in response to me saying that high 1st round picks don't spend 3 full years in the AHL.

So I mean, OK.

 

[ReHabs]

The one college season Tage Thompson played after getting drafted doesn't count, I suppose.

 

[River Meadow]

I mean you brought him up, in response to me saying that high 1st round picks don't spend 3 full years in the AHL.

So I mean, OK.

You can choose to debate and focus in on the 3 years if you like.

I never said he should play in the AHL for 3 years.

I said for however long it takes, whether that is 1-2-3 years, then so be it.

It looks we're getting 0 minutes of him playing in the AHL though.

 

[Jeune Poulet]

How can someone legitimately argue that playing/practicing against/with the best players in the world, with the best coaches in the world, in the best facilities in the world, is wasted development time.

First of all, if it wasn't already obvious enough when he was hired, I doubt anyone today would hand St-Louis a membership card to the "best coaches in the world" club. Not that he is horrible, but he looks like a capable assistant coach that's been thrown into a job he isn't ready for.

Secondly, you're right that the NHL organization has a ton of pros, trainers, elite facilities. But I can guarantee that at no point in time would I have been able to step up there and benefit from them. Most people wouldn't.

Only a select few can. You have to be at the right level to benefit from it. I guess that's where many people here disagree on Slafkovsky and where exactly he belongs, and for how long.

Simply because he's not putting up the goals/assists that we want to see.

You can argue he should be in the AHL, I said as much a few days ago...but acting like the AHL is some magic developmental portal is madness and I can't believe so many people actually buy this crap.

I don't think it automatically works in the AHL. But if we both agree that he would be better off there, then isn't he wasting his time here? If you've got a huge investment, you make the right play to maximize your return, right?

I am a bit confused. It appears you are strongly disagreeing with me while essentially having a pretty similar position.

 

[417]

You can choose to debate and focus in on the 3 years if you like.

I never said he should play in the AHL for 3 years.

I said for however long it takes, whether that is 1-2-3 years, then so be it.

It looks we're getting 0 minutes of him playing in the AHL though.

You said to "let him cook in the AHL for 1-2-3 years if that's what it takes"

Does that not imply that it can take up to 3 full years in the AHL, in your premise?

If we take the example that you also brought forward with Tage Thompson, wouldn't you agree that the totality of the 215 professional games that he played in the AHL/NHL combined, helped develop him into the player he is today?

Why is it only AHL that matters with development?

If at 20 years old Tage Thompson can have an NHL season where he did the following

7 goals 5 assists 12pts, -22 in 65 games

Why is the sky falling because Slafkovsky has the same point totals in 13 less games, despite being 1 year younger?

 

[417]

First of all, if it wasn't already obvious enough when he was hired, I doubt anyone today would hand St-Louis a membership card to the "best coaches in the world" club. Not that he is horrible, but he looks like a capable assistant coach that's been thrown into a job he isn't ready for.

Yet here we are advocating for him to go play for JF Houle...or whoever was coaching in TPS Turky last year, or whoever was coaching the Eerie Otters last year in the CHL.

Secondly, you're right that the NHL organization has a ton of pros, trainers, elite facilities. But I can guarantee that at no point in time would I have been able to step up there and benefit from them. Most people wouldn't.

Only a select few can. You have to be at the right level to benefit from it. I guess that's where many people here disagree on Slafkovsky and where exactly he belongs, and for how long.

Why are we comparing ourselves to hockey players? i'm not sure I understand this point of view.

Juraj Slafkovsky, despite what many think, didn't just show up on the map at the last Olympics. He was drafted 1st overall and slated to be a top pick by most draft experts for a reason and that was true years before he was even eligible for the draft. Those type of players are few and far between.

They are not regular Joe's like you and me.

I don't think it automatically works in the AHL. But if we both agree that he would be better off there, then isn't he wasting his time here? If you've got a huge investment, you make the right play to maximize your return, right?


I am a bit confused. It appears you are strongly disagreeing with me while essentially having a pretty similar position.

It's a complex issue that's not as black and white as most think.

My preference would be for him to be playing a significant role in the NHL because I think that's ultimately where he will benefit the most.

However, if the coaching staff continues to shelter him from high leverage situations, than I'd rather he be in an environment where he CAN play in those high leverage situations (presumably the AHL).

For me, the fact that Slafkovsky is struggling in the NHL at this moment, isn't any more or less noteworthy than if he was in the AHL and dominating.

We're at the 1st chapter of what is hopefully a very long story, there's really no point getting too caught up in what we're seeing now, we're doing way too much living/dying with every shift and that's not going to change if he's sent down.

 

[River Meadow]

You said to "let him cook in the AHL for 1-2-3 years if that's what it takes"

Does that not imply that it can take up to 3 full years in the AHL, in your premise?

If we take the example that you also brought forward with Tage Thompson, wouldn't you agree that the totality of the 215 professional games that he played in the AHL/NHL combined, helped develop him into the player he is today?

Why is it only AHL that matters with development?

If at 20 years old Tage Thompson can have an NHL season where he did the following

7 goals 5 assists 12pts, -22 in 65 games

Why is the sky falling because Slafkovsky has the same point totals in 13 less games, despite being 1 year younger?

Yes it could take more than 3 years for Slaf to develop.

It's not only the AHL. It would have probably been good for him to play another year in Liiga or even in NA junior, it would have been interesting given how raw he is, but those options are gone now.

The sky isn't falling with Slafkovsky, and it's not even about his point totals (although those are concerning at a glance for sure).

What is most concerning is that he has no pedigree of being a prolific scorer pretty much anywhere, aside from some tournaments just before he was drafted. He does nothing exceptional, maybe his playmaking will be exceptional or he will develop his shot more. His hockey sense and IQ is a definite cause for concern but perhaps he will compensate for it with his size later on...

I felt better with Galchenyuk and KK as they seemed more talented right off the bat coming into the NHL, and many here have said the same thing. Both of them also had more of a pedigree than Slaf.

 

[Garnet76]

I think the last 2-3 games he has been gaining confidence. Seems to want to hang onto the puck longer and try to make a play. Should have had a goal last night in Detroit.

 

[417]

Yes it could take more than 3 years for Slaf to develop.

It WILL take more than 3 years…and it will be filled with ups and downs, just like it is for
MOST players.

The sooner you accept this reality, the better it is for your own psyche.

It's not only the AHL. It would have probably been good for him to play another year in Liiga or even in NA junior, it would have been interesting given how raw he is, but those options are gone now.

I don't know enough about Liiga or the CHL to really affirm or deny this.

But I have my doubts.

The sky isn't falling with Slafkovsky, and it's not even about his point totals (although those are concerning at a glance for sure).

It’s mostly about point totals and fan insecurity. 100%.

Most of us want to see him playing somewhere and getting results so we can feel better about the Habs having picked him 1st overall.

What is most concerning is that he has no pedigree of being a prolific scorer pretty much anywhere, aside from some tournaments just before he was drafted. He does nothing exceptional, maybe his playmaking will be exceptional or he will develop his shot more. His hockey sense and IQ is a definite cause for concern but perhaps he will compensate for it with his size later on...

A lot of people felt the same about Brady Tkachuk.

And while I'd agree it's somewhat concerning for me, it's really not a predictor of the future since production is often largely circumstancial. Teenagers who play in European pro leagues don't often get put in a lot of offensive situations.

I have my own concerns as it relates to how quickly Slafkovsky processes the game (I find it slow alot of times, but sometimes he shows he processes quickly, it's so volatile) but the canvas with this player is near limitless, that combo of size/speed/skill is rare but yes he needs a lot of work on learning how to use those gifts.

I felt better with Galchenyuk and KK as they seemed more talented right off the bat coming into the NHL, and many here have said the same thing. Both of them also had more of a pedigree than Slaf.

Yes, and both players had a lot of ups and downs.

KK was written off not too long ago, look at him now.

Galchenyuk looked poised to establish himself as a #1C and then, POOF!

These years are volatile…

 

[Jaynki]

I would think so too but it would be contingent on at least two players passing him from his draft class.

After the pick I read some proponents say we shouldn’t expect more than 60pts a year + tenacious play.

I really expected to see a 35pt season from him this year and build on that next year. He is physically capable. It isn’t beyond him to put up 35pts this year still, he just needs a hot streak and more self confidence.

But if he doesn’t get it… why NOT send him down?

I think he plays well but i also expect offensive production at some point. Having the chances is not enough. 35 points would be 0.5ppg for the remainder of the season and i think its very possible. Im betting on the fact that young talented players can see unadvertised, dramatic surge of performance.

Obviously he will always be compared to Cooley and Wright (watched him yesterday and he was good even he if did not played much). My opinion right now is that Slaf has the most upside out of the three but there is probably a bit more of a tenuous path than for the other two to reach it. I am not ready to cap his upside at 60 points, the path is tenuous ok but we can't deny the upside here, its high, f***ing high.

As for the AHL/NHL, the only two to have a proper answer as to why he is not sended down is MSL and Hughes. It appears they have a plan. Hughes talked about reprogramming his muscle memory. Reading between the lines, my understanding of that is that they want him to learn to professionalize his game. Knows when to make the simple play versus when the play is open, knows how to position well in each zone in different context, how to change efficiently, how to protect himself, etc. And to focus a lot more on that before focusing on point production and by becoming a professional then the rest will follow. That might also explain why Hughes said Slaf met the thresholf he fixed them last year despite low production.

Are they doing the right thing? I don't have the answer. I just prefer to bet in favour of MSL and the young talented teenager than against. Dont think they are blindly keeping him up. Something is cooking.

I don’t think that’s a fair assessment from my POV. If he becomes that, he becomes a success. That’s 15 year career territory man.

It might not attain your expectations, but that’s not a bust.

Will it make you happy? We got your answer and it’s cool, but it’s relative to how your perceived him at first. It won’t fix our problems at top 3 level, I agree with you in that sense, but he’ll be useful if 45p from the third line happens.

He will be a success as an hockey player but it would be totally under the expectations not only for a 1st overall, but for the prospect he is/was.

 

[Gally11]

Anyone who’s watching Byfield this season should learn to chill out lol

 

[River Meadow]

Anyone who’s watching Byfield this season should learn to chill out lol

Byfield also scored 32 goals in 45 games in the OHL, with 82 pts total in those 45 games.

Byfield has a pedigree.

Has Slafkovsky done anything similar?

 

[admiralcadillac]

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

Sorry but Slaf makes passes Anderson never has nearly every game. I don’t really think your comment fits at all. They’re nothing alike.

 

[DAChampion]

Sorry but Slaf makes passes Anderson never has nearly every game. I don’t really think your comment fits at all. They’re nothing alike.

Player comparisons are almost always bad.