Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[admiralcadillac]

I remember the usual apologists were saying 50 points was a realistic and probably number for Slaf this year. At this point it's a stretch for him to get 20. I always said his best years will be in the 50 point range - starting to think I overestimated him.

Good for you being able to definitively speak on a player’s career 50 games into it.

 

[Estimated_Prophet]

We sucked last night, but the kid was the best forward easy.....all over the puck, and chances.....yes he whiffed on a couple of shots, but he was on the puck, and in the play.

Patience folks.........I keep saying it.............patience in this case is going to take some time.......

The drama is becoming hilarious guys...............relax.

He played one of his best games but was definitely not our best player. This is not a knock on him but it is very easy to overlook the performance of other players who are more established. I would say that I was more pleased with his game than any other forward but that is more of an expectation/outcome result more than an overall net positive comparison with teammates.

He was clearly spoken to about the horrific game that he played on Saturday where he continually forced passes into traffic which has been his problem since his pre NHL days.

Sunday's game was much better for Slaf as his focus was on taking the puck to the net and shooting. This needs to be his focus for the rest of the season and eventually passing lanes will open when he establishes dominance in high danger areas. His cycle game is much improved from last season and he needs to look to walk out from the corners and stop throwing the puck blindly into traffic. He will find alot more success by looking for his own shot and should be able to build his confidence when pucks start going in for him. I think he is a great kid who wants to do well and wants to set his teammates up but he quite simply does not have the vision or IQ to do it yet. He does have good passing skills as far as his ability to aim and to keep the puck flat but his decision making is well below NHL standards at this point. He is super young so no need to panic but he really needs to focus on getting his own shot off and perhaps the rest will begin to fall into place.

 

[417]

https://x.com/sz1909_szemberg/status/1724116945979494543?s=46

Saw this thread on X from guy who posts a lot about European prospects. I’m sure many of you know, super well respected and he knows his shit.

I am curious though, in his study, did he take into account all of the drafted European prospects who do play an additional year in Europe and never amount to anything noteworthy in the NHL?

Because absent of that, how can you draw the conclusion that Elias Petersson going back for 1 more year post draft was THE defining factor into him becoming one of the NHLs best players?

Honest question if anyone here cares to chime in.

 

[Kennerback]

He played one of his best games but was definitely not our best player. This is not a knock on him but it is very easy to overlook the performance of other players who are more established. I would say that I was more pleased with his game than any other forward but that is more of an expectation/outcome result more than an overall net positive comparison with teammates.

He was clearly spoken to about the horrific game that he played on Saturday where he continually forced passes into traffic which has been his problem since his pre NHL days.

Sunday's game was much better for Slaf as his focus was on taking the puck to the net and shooting. This needs to be his focus for the rest of the season and eventually passing lanes will open when he establishes dominance in high danger areas. His cycle game is much improved from last season and he needs to look to walk out from the corners and stop throwing the puck blindly into traffic. He will find alot more success by looking for his own shot and should be able to build his confidence when pucks start going in for him. I think he is a great kid who wants to do well and wants to set his teammates up but he quite simply does not have the vision or IQ to do it yet. He does have good passing skills as far as his ability to aim and to keep the puck flat but his decision making is well below NHL standards at this point. He is super young so no need to panic but he really needs to focus on getting his own shot off and perhaps the rest will begin to fall into place.

he continually forced passes into traffic which has been his problem since his pre NHL days.

Huge problem.

Sunday's game was much better for Slaf as his focus was on taking the puck to the net and shooting. This needs to be his focus for the rest of the season

Agreed.

His cycle game is much improved from last season and he needs to look to walk out from the corners and stop throwing the puck blindly into traffic.

Absolutely. You are very right sir.

He will find alot more success by looking for his own shot and should be able to build his confidence when pucks start going in for him. I think he is a great kid who wants to do well and wants to set his teammates up but he quite simply does not have the vision or IQ to do it yet. He does have good passing skills as far as his ability to aim and to keep the puck flat but his decision making is well below NHL standards at this point. He is super young so no need to panic but he really needs to focus on getting his own shot off and perhaps the rest will begin to fall into

Enough with the intercepted passes to the point. Enough with the intercepted passes along the boards. Enough with the intercepted passes during a half breakaway to someone covered. Tabarnak.

 

[morhilane]

my gut tells me their interview concluded that he was highly intelligent.

Graig Ramsay, his international team coach, kept saying that Slaf was a sponge in public interviews pre-draft.

 

[morhilane]

Reading Basu's article in the Athletics, it looks like Slaf has been using Xhekaj's stick lately.

 

[CHwest]

He played one of his best games but was definitely not our best player. This is not a knock on him but it is very easy to overlook the performance of other players who are more established. I would say that I was more pleased with his game than any other forward but that is more of an expectation/outcome result more than an overall net positive comparison with teammates.

He was clearly spoken to about the horrific game that he played on Saturday where he continually forced passes into traffic which has been his problem since his pre NHL days.

Sunday's game was much better for Slaf as his focus was on taking the puck to the net and shooting. This needs to be his focus for the rest of the season and eventually passing lanes will open when he establishes dominance in high danger areas. His cycle game is much improved from last season and he needs to look to walk out from the corners and stop throwing the puck blindly into traffic. He will find alot more success by looking for his own shot and should be able to build his confidence when pucks start going in for him. I think he is a great kid who wants to do well and wants to set his teammates up but he quite simply does not have the vision or IQ to do it yet. He does have good passing skills as far as his ability to aim and to keep the puck flat but his decision making is well below NHL standards at this point. He is super young so no need to panic but he really needs to focus on getting his own shot off and perhaps the rest will begin to fall into place.

I agree, amazing what happens when a player takes 3 or 4 strides towards the net with the puck. Options open up.

 

[cave troll]

https://x.com/sz1909_szemberg/status/1724116945979494543?s=46

Saw this thread on X from guy who posts a lot about European prospects. I’m sure many of you know, super well respected and he knows his shit.

I am curious though, in his study, did he take into account all of the drafted European prospects who do play an additional year in Europe and never amount to anything noteworthy in the NHL?

Because absent of that, how can you draw the conclusion that Elias Petersson going back for 1 more year post draft was THE defining factor into him becoming one of the NHLs best players?

Honest question if anyone here cares to chime in.

Petterson joined NHL at 20 and was light years ahead of where Slaf is now.
Not even comparable. At D+1 he was the best scorer and player in SHL.

 

[admiralcadillac]

https://x.com/sz1909_szemberg/status/1724116945979494543?s=46

Saw this thread on X from guy who posts a lot about European prospects. I’m sure many of you know, super well respected and he knows his shit.

I am curious though, in his study, did he take into account all of the drafted European prospects who do play an additional year in Europe and never amount to anything noteworthy in the NHL?

Because absent of that, how can you draw the conclusion that Elias Petersson going back for 1 more year post draft was THE defining factor into him becoming one of the NHLs best players?

Honest question if anyone here cares to chime in.

It’s interesting but my issue with the type of post he makes is that he doesn’t put any time into explaining why that might be. Is the idea that europe specifically is better, or that the ahl would be a good corollary? I think it is generally obvious that players will be more prepared with more experience under their belts, and getting naturally physically stronger. Players will generally progress every year early on.

If the argument just boils down to they perform better in their first year in the nhl, that’s like saying most players perform better in their second or third nhl season.

I agree with you that the point is whether staying in europe is a deciding factor rather than the natural improvement experience and age bring

The question is whether is matters over their career.

 

[417]

Petterson joined NHL at 20 and was light years ahead of where Slaf is now.
Not even comparable. At D+1 he was the best scorer and player in SHL.

You didn't address the thread or question.

This isn't about Petersson vs Slafkovsky necessarily or what age both of them started.

Would love to reas your and others thoughts on this.

 

[417]

It’s interesting but my issue with the type of post he makes is that he doesn’t put any time into explaining why that might be.

Ditto…and this kind of stuff just gets picked up and repeated all the time.

Is the idea that europe specifically is better, or that the ahl would be a good corollary? I think it is generally obvious that players will be more prepared with more experience under their belts, and getting naturally physically stronger. Players will generally progress every year early on.

I think he was framing it in the sense that another year or maybe 2 in Europe for Slaf would have been as beneficial for him as it was for Petersson.

But he never actually proves or provides evidence of how the additional year in Europe for EP was the key factor in his current success. It's just presumed and everyone is like “yeah! Exactly”

But how do we know he's not what he is today because he's insanely talented?

If the argument just boils down to they perform better in their first year in the nhl, that’s like saying most players perform better in their second or third nhl season.

I agree with you that the point is whether staying in europe is a deciding factor rather than the natural improvement experience and age bring

The question is whether is matters over their career.

Et voila! But I'm really curious to read other takes on this.

 

[Goon42]

The guy just doesn't pass the eye test game after game. Why he isn't playing in the AHL is beyond me.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Can’t see him getting 20 points this season. He might best his 10.

 

[River Meadow]

The guy just doesn't pass the eye test game after game. Why he isn't playing in the AHL is beyond me.

Because Habs management team think they're smarter than everyone else.

 

[admiralcadillac]

Because Habs management team think they're smarter than everyone else.

Seems like some posters here do more than the habs management.

 

[Jaynki]

Kemell was a better scorer then Slaf in Liiga even in their draft year.

This fact prove the opposite of what you are trying to imply.

Correct me if i am wrong, you are trying to argue that Slaf is a shit prospect with no skill and that Kemell is superior.

The reality is that Slafkovsky is twice the player Kemell is, twice on monday and twice on tuesday despite having being outscored by Kemell in their DY in their Liiga.

So your initial fact only demonstrate that there is a lot more variable at play than liiga production.

 

[River Meadow]

What does everyone think the gap is between Slafkovsky and prospects like Fantilli, Smith, Carlsson, Smith and Michkov?

Does anyone have Slafkovsky in the tier of some of those guys?

i.e:

Carlsson
Fantilli

Michkov
Smith

Slafkovsky

 

[waffledave]

Good for you being able to definitively speak on a player’s career 50 games into it.

It's a gift.

 

[nhlfan9191]

Fair enough...but the same discussions are happening and the same focus on the NOW is grabbing a hold of people's opinions the same way.

People didn't have the ability to project then, and they don't have it now...it was all "Bambi" and "slow release", etc.

No one ever considered that this was all stuff that he worked on and gained experience dealing with.

I see people trying to re-write history and say that KK looked better than Slaf did early, but man people forget quickly!

I get it's a message board and we're Habs fans and we're passionate...but some sprinters don't reach full speed until the 60M mark of a 100M race, focusing on whose winning at the 25M mark is a total waste of time.

You’re relying on a method that has a high failure rate and all I can do is respect you because I’m feeding you crow soup if it doesn’t work. Lol

 

[Kennerback]

What does everyone think the gap is between Slafkovsky and prospects like Fantilli, Smith, Carlsson, Smith and Michkov?

Does anyone have Slafkovsky in the tier of some of those guys?

i.e:

Carlsson
Fantilli

Michkov
Smith

Slafkovsky

Michkov

Carlsson
Fantilli

Cooley
Slafkovski
Wright

PS: Smith I feel I don’t have enough data to compare him.

 

[NotProkofievian]

People arguing over Slafkovsky when we just took Reinbacher over Michkov….

Man, at least we didn't take Dvorsky lmao

 

[HabsWhiteKnightLOL]

Man, at least we didn't take Dvorsky lmao

Popcorn over Michkov man , I still can't believe it. Makes me wanna puke

 

[cave troll]

You didn't address the thread or question.

This isn't about Petersson vs Slafkovsky necessarily or what age both of them started.

Would love to reas your and others thoughts on this.

Tweet said it all.
Nucks drafted a much better player and developed him in the right way. Instead of bringing him to NHL from Swedish 2nd league, they let him develop in SHL after the draft.
But the thing is, Petterson demolished the SHL. best scorer and player in regular season, best scorer and player in playoffs and led the team to win the championship and to second place in european CHL. Petterson joined the NHL with a pedigree of one of the best European hockey players.
Slaf was some kind of project that needs to have his muscle memory erased. That's what Hughes said.
So we took him from Liiga at 18 where he was a player of no consequence and we put him in NHL cause he is 1OA, so we develop the Project X here and all that based on faith that the player who struggled big time with scoring in Liiga will somehow learn what is needed on NHL ice.

 

[cave troll]

This fact prove the opposite of what you are trying to imply.

Correct me if i am wrong, you are trying to argue that Slaf is a shit prospect with no skill and that Kemell is superior.

The reality is that Slafkovsky is twice the player Kemell is, twice on monday and twice on tuesday despite having being outscored by Kemell in their DY in their Liiga.

So your initial fact only demonstrate that there is a lot more variable at play than liiga production.

I don't know what you think I tried to imply, but I only said Kemell was a better scorer in Liiga, that's all.

 

[cave troll]

But he never actually proves or provides evidence of how the additional year in Europe for EP was the key factor in his current success. It's just presumed and everyone is like “yeah! Exactly”

But how do we know he's not what he is today because he's insanely talented?

You missed to see one thing - Petterson was drafted from Swedish 2nd league.
He didn't prove himslef in SHL before draft. He did that in D+1. proved himself to be the best player in SHL and one of the best in European hockey ---- at 19.