Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[lillypad33]

Like to me...I've already got a lot of concerns with how they've brought Filip Mesar along.

He was drafted playing out of a Men's league in Slovakia
He then came to NA played 1 game in the AHL
Then went to the CHL for 51 games where he was by all amounts just "OK"
Then he started this year in the AHL, played 2 games, sat out a few
Then he was sent to the CHL where he's producing points

That's a lot of volatility...and to me one of the most important factors in development, is stability.

I'm not saying he's going to be ruined but I find it curious everyone seems pleased because he's putting up points but meanwhile, there are a ton of red flags there.

Sorry.... what are you talking about?
You're upset that they kept Mesar at Laval for an extra week, or you're upset that he's not producing in Kitchener?
I'm wondering what you would have liked the Canadiens to have done differently?
The only options I can see are:
1) Keep him in Europe
2) Keep him in the AHL

Trying to assign blame to the Canadiens franchise for him not developing while in junior is not right.

 

[417]

Sorry.... what are you talking about?
You're upset that they kept Mesar at Laval for an extra week, or you're upset that he's not producing in Kitchener?
I'm wondering what you would have liked the Canadiens to have done differently?
The only options I can see are:
1) Keep him in Europe
2) Keep him in the AHL

Trying to assign blame to the Canadiens franchise for him not developing while in junior is not right.

Whose upset?

I said I had concerns and I explicitly said that "i'm not saying he's going to be ruined".

What are YOU talking about lol

I'm not sure what the Canadiens could have done differently? I would have considered sending him to Europe to play in the SHL or another men's league if that was possible (not entirely sure how that works).

Laval wasn't possible because there's just not a seat for him to sit in.

He IS producing in Kitchener, so that's clearly not the issue nor am I upset lol

 

[Jaynki]

Because Slaf hasn't done anything anywhere except for tournaments that lasted a few weeks.

He was a top prospect and expected top 5 months before the tournament that cemented his place in the top 3, starting with his DY at the Hlinka following two years of dominating european junior league as an underager.

It does not fit your narrative tho so lets summarise it to his liiga season production and lets not take any context cloud our pre-conceived notion. Bobrov suck and thats it.

 

[417]

Anyways i'm sure a lot of you are sick from reading my posts on this topic so i'll give it a rest for a bit. Let time provide the answers we're all so desperate for.

It will be very interesting to see how things unfold though.

I assume if Slafkovsky doesn't progress, many of you will remind me about how he was rushed and feed me crow (though I've stated several times I was and am not against a stint in the AHL) and that's fine. I can handle it lol.

But I also assume that if Slafkovsky does slowly, but surely progress over time...no one will conclude that "rushing" 18 year olds to the NHL is now the way to go.

But I digress...

Enjoy the game tonight!

 

[jrom]

Just came here to make sure the thread was among the top five. Everything seems fine.

It’s not going anywhere, don’t worry

 

[covfefe]

Honestly, wouldn't surprise me if Xhekaj outproduces him again.

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

here's how that would stack up to his 1OA peers. arbitrarily drew the line at the 1981 draft

 

[NotProkofievian]

Slaf played his best 3 game stretch, gotta find somewhere else to be a negative Nelly

''Slaf's best 3 game stretch''

 

[River Meadow]

He was a top prospect and expected top 5 months before the tournament that cemented his place in the top 3, starting with his DY at the Hlinka following two years of dominating european junior league as an underager.

It does not fit your narrative tho so lets summarise it to his liiga season production and lets not take any context cloud our pre-conceived notion. Bobrov suck and thats it.

Dang, getting a little defensive heh? Chill out dude.

Slaf is worthy of a top 5 pick in his draft.

All I said is that he doesn't have the pedigree of some other players, in terms of scoring a ton of goals/points.

Which is partly why I want him to be able to do that somewhere, to develop and build that part of his game. Instead of having to build and develop this in the NHL at 'uber hard' difficulty.

 

[River Meadow]

''Slaf's best 3 game stretch''

View attachment 768162

Slaf not looking uber lost = He's playing amaaaaazing

 

[Bombshell11]

''Slaf's best 3 game stretch''

View attachment 768162

Zero come 0uellette

 

[WeThreeKings]

Slaf not looking uber lost = He's playing amaaaaazing

Yes let's take super hyperbolic leaps on my statement.

 

[Bombshell11]

Is Slaf Eligible for the calder this year?

 

[River Meadow]

Is Slaf Eligible for the calder this year?

Nope,

He played more than 25 games last year.

 

[Deebs]

Is Slaf Eligible for the calder this year?

Calder Cup....absolutely

 

[Jaynki]

Dang, getting a little defensive heh? Chill out dude.

Slaf is worthy of a top 5 pick in his draft.

All I said is that he doesn't have the pedigree of some other players, in terms of scoring a ton of goals/points.

Which is partly why I want him to be able to do that somewhere, to develop and build that part of his game. Instead of having to build and develop this in the NHL at 'uber hard' difficulty.

I offensively understand your point and although i disagree i think it makes a lot of sense.

Im gonna chill out with that Galactic Rntz indica just before the game.

 

[Skip Bayless]

''Slaf's best 3 game stretch''

View attachment 768162

Slafkovsky is the top u21 scorer from Slovakian nationality this season.

Try again, punk.

 

[Don D]

Development certainly takes place, all the time. However the NHL is not a "developmental league" in the sense of prioritizing pedagogy over competition. The AHL limits the number of vets on the daily game sheet, for example.

Midget AAA baseball in Quebec is developmental. They sometimes stop games to show both teams something.

In general, the NHL is not a developmental league for contending teams as inexperience from the young players can result in missed playoffs. For a team like the Habs, they had plenty of players develop last year and this one.

 

[FLHabs]

''Slaf's best 3 game stretch''

View attachment 768162

I'm not gonna lie dude, I think you've been somewhat unhinged in this thread a bit, but that actually made me laugh out loud haha.

Fans like y'all want to see concrete results, fans like us appreciate the fact that we are seeing PROGRESSION no matter how small that progress seems to you. That's what these past few pages are all about really.

We got to forget the 1st overall pick tag when analyzing his game, that's on management, not him.

 

[River Meadow]

I'm not gonna lie dude, I think you've been somewhat unhinged in this thread a bit, but that actually made me laugh out loud haha.

Fans like y'all want to see concrete results, fans like us appreciate the fact that we are seeing PROGRESSION no matter how small that progress seems to you. That's what these past few pages are all about really.

We got to forget the 1st overall pick tag when analyzing his game, that's on management, not him.

Really?

I mean..

If we pretend he's a 7th round pick I would be ecstatic with his play and progression.

 

[FLHabs]

Really?

I mean..

If we pretend he's a 7th round pick I would be ecstatic with his play and progression.

You can be disappointed in his play compared to where he was drafted, but he was always a raw project, in a weak draft. Ain't nothing we can do now but root for him. He's been playing better, some of us fans appreciate that because it gives us hope.

I was in the AHL camp, but I think that he's bought himself more games in the NHL with his recent play.

 

[River Meadow]

You can be disappointed in his play compared to where he was drafted, but he was always a raw project, in a weak draft. Ain't nothing we can do now but root for him. He's been playing better, some of us fans appreciate that because it gives us hope.

I was in the AHL camp, but I think that he's bought himself more games in the NHL with his recent play.

To be very clear,

I'm disappointed in management.

It's not his fault management decides to keep him in the NHL no matter what.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

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.

Somehow this is a win for Slaf though hehe.

 

[DramaticGloveSave]

Man, at least we didn't take Dvorsky lmao

And Reinbacher has done what exactly?

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

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

Its still too early to tell.

If Slaf can hit his ceiling he’s going to give you so much more than just points.

That’s not a premature excuse because I think he can put up big production as well.

What that size could do in the playoffs potentially is what will make or break him imo.

He has finesse and he has power. Though both of them aren’t where they need to be yet.

I personally have seen the flashes where he can do both and that kind of player can open up everything to a team.

I can very well be wrong but I think he’s gonna be a very good player even at worst.

 

[River Meadow]

Its still too early to tell.

If Slaf can hit his ceiling he’s going to give you so much more than just points.

That’s not a premature excuse because I think he can put up big production as well.

What that size could do in the playoffs potentially is what will make or break him imo.

He has finesse and he has power. Though both of them aren’t where they need to be yet.

I personally have seen the flashes where he can do both and that kind of player can open up everything to a team.

I can very well be wrong but I think he’s gonna be a very good player even at worst.

I agree with you,

It's painfully obvious he doesn't have his man-strength yet, once that happens, that whole will make a world of difference.


(Why the Habs decide to keep him in the NHL despite this and other things where it's obvious he is not ready, is on them)