Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[417]

My issues are drafting him 1st overall and keeping him in the NHL when he's clearly not ready. Arber got an overage year in OHL after signing with Montreal so I think he's actually a good example how development doesn't really happen by getting reps at a level you aren't ready at.

An overage year is what prepped Xhekaj to jump straight into the NHL?

Why don’t more teams send their picks back to the CHL for their overage season ?

Should the Habs send Beck back to the OHL after this season?

 

[Adam Michaels]

Aside from a few games when he was with Newhook and Anderson, Slaf has looked good since camp. And even when he was with Newhook and Anderson, he's set up Anderson with some golden chances, but we all know how snake bitten he is.

Now he's been on a line with Cole, and he's set him up with some real good chances, and now Cole is unable to hit the back of the net.

He may not have many goals, but Slaf would definitely have more points if Anderson and Caufield would convert some of those chances.

But even beyond the production, it's good to see Slaf more involved in the game. And while he has gotten hit, it's not like last year where he gets caught with his head down constantly. You see him with his head up more.

 

[Tyson]

Aside from a few games when he was with Newhook and Anderson, Slaf has looked good since camp. And even when he was with Newhook and Anderson, he's set up Anderson with some golden chances, but we all know how snake bitten he is.

Now he's been on a line with Cole, and he's set him up with some real good chances, and now Cole is unable to hit the back of the net.

He may not have many goals, but Slaf would definitely have more points if Anderson and Caufield would convert some of those chances.

But even beyond the production, it's good to see Slaf more involved in the game. And while he has gotten hit, it's not like last year where he gets caught with his head down constantly. You see him with his head up more.

Marked progress for sure.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Marked progress for sure.

Definitely marked progress. And let's not forget, last night was only his 55th career game.

I've also noticed he's starting to go to the front of the net more often now. Going in those areas where most goals are scored.

 

[Tyson]

Definitely marked progress. And let's not forget, last night was only his 55th career game.

I've also noticed he's starting to go to the front of the net more often now. Going in those areas where most goals are scored.

He is quickly becoming the best passer amongst the forwards, not a stretch to say that.

 

[Kennerback]

He’s passing into skates when he shouldn’t and there’s some other things, but I’m starting to see some of the things that made him top of the class of his draft year. That’s really all I was asking for. I hope this kid can put it together. We can’t afford to bust on picks like this if we want the rebuild to be a success.

I am very critical. But it’s obvious he’s not a bust. He’s just very crude. He’s not there yet. I want him to get there but I have no assurance he will. He needs to be driven.

 

[Mrb1p]

He is quickly becoming the best passer amongst the forwards, not a stretch to say that.

Well yes, its a stretch with Suzuki on the team.

 

[Tyson]

Well yes, its a stretch with Suzuki on the team.

Fair enough, Nick is an elite passer for sure. Slaf is showing a decent ability to pass the puck though.

 

[Kennerback]

Definitely marked progress. And let's not forget, last night was only his 55th career game.

I've also noticed he's starting to go to the front of the net more often now. Going in those areas where most goals are scored.

A guy with his physique has it much easier than others getting to the slot and the front of the net. But he needs to realize he needs to go, and then actually go. Which has not been a given yet at all.

 

[Miller Time]

Fair enough, Nick is an elite passer for sure. Slaf is showing a decent ability to pass the puck though.

No stretch to say he's quickly establishing himself as the best passer among our wingers... And while some might spin that to a negative reflection of our forward group, no matter how you cut it, at 19yrs old it's a pretty positive sign.

Future is bright

 

[Adam Michaels]

A guy with his physique has it much easier than others getting to the slot and the front of the net. But he needs to realize he needs to go, and then actually go. Which has not been a given yet at all.

He's a work in progress. He's been going there more the last few games. So hopefully he keeps going there and it doesn't become something he does for a few games and then stops going there.

 

[Lshap]

An overage year is what prepped Xhekaj to jump straight into the NHL?

Why don’t more teams send their picks back to the CHL for their overage season ?

Should the Habs send Beck back to the OHL after this season?

Look at it the other way: Why not send 16 year olds to the NHL? Rules aside, wouldn't a physically mature 16 year old develop better in the NHL, where he could learn to play against better players?

Obviously, the vast majority of 16 year olds aren't ready for the mental and physical demands of professional sports, which is why rules are in place. From future stars to future 4th liners, most 16 year olds benefit from development in lower leagues. Same with many 18 year olds. For some 18-20 year olds, the NHL may be too much, too fast, and they'd benefit from a less pressured environment in order to reach their peak.

Yes, Slafkovsky is developing in the NHL. He may have developed further had he spent last year in the AHL. We'll never know.

 

[417]

Look at it the other way: Why not send 16 year olds to the NHL? Rules aside, wouldn't a physically mature 16 year old develop better in the NHL, where he could learn to play against better players?

Sorry I’m not sure I get the correlation here ..given said rules, never mind the idea that any 16 year old would be physically mature at that age.

Obviously, the vast majority of 16 year olds aren't ready for the mental and physical demands of professional sports, which is why rules are in place. From future stars to future 4th liners, most 16 year olds benefit from development in lower leagues. Same with many 18 year olds. For some, the NHL may be too much, too fast, and they'd benefit from a less pressured environment.

But there’s no rule against 18yr olds in the nhl.

Yes, Slafkovsky is developing in the NHL. He may have developed further had he spent last year in the AHL. We'll never know.

We sure like to say we know though.

 

[Andy]

There has been so many development examples thrown out in this thread and all it has shown me is that there isn't a single way to develop a prospect.

The team has been clear that they don't care about his points, that they want him to refine the fundamentals, and they want him next to MSL. They believe that this is where he is in the best place to learn.

Whether it's the right call, we won't find out for another few years. I've not seen any regression in his game, thus so far, it's not hurting.

 

[SlafySZN]

The bromance, folks.

 

[Miller Time]

Look at it the other way: Why not send 16 year olds to the NHL? Rules aside, wouldn't a physically mature 16 year old develop better in the NHL, where he could learn to play against better players?

Obviously, the vast majority of 16 year olds aren't ready for the mental and physical demands of professional sports, which is why rules are in place. From future stars to future 4th liners, most 16 year olds benefit from development in lower leagues. Same with many 18 year olds. For some 18-20 year olds, the NHL may be too much, too fast, and they'd benefit from a less pressured environment in order to reach their peak.

Yes, Slafkovsky is developing in the NHL. He may have developed further had he spent last year in the AHL. We'll never know.

Indeed. Look no further than professional soccer...

To your last point, that's exactly why all these hot takes that confidently assert it was a mistake to take the approach they have hold zero value. We'll never know what might have occured. What we do know is that 55 games into his NHL career, at 19, he is playing at a level that suggests he belongs in the NHL.

 

[ReHabs]

I've not seen any regression in his game, thus so far, it's not hurting.

You mean other than his PPG which remains lower than last year.

 

[Lshap]

Sorry I’m not sure I get the correlation here ..given said rules

But there’s no rule against 18yr olds in the nhl.

We sure like to say we know though.

You've been arguing against the AHL as an effective development league for the NHL. However, lesser leagues are a necessity for every single kid from the first time they put on skates. The NHL is filled with players who went through Bantam, Midget, AA, junior, college, AHL, etc. Even McDavid needed training wheels at some point. The AHL isn't the league for misfit toys, it's a legitimate option where many top NHL players honed their skill. Whether it was 20 AHL games or 100 – they spent time there because they weren't ready for the NHL.

Or they were sent down to the AHL for a stint because, presumably, they needed fine tuning somewhere other than the NHL. You mentioned you were in favour of Slaf spending some there last season (I think that's what you said), so obviously you recognize it has value.

 

[Miller Time]

The bromance, folks.

Some will dismiss this... But to anyone who has ever been a part of a culture of excellence built from the ground up, this will sound very familiar.

Many posters around here simply don't get just how hard it is to build this.

 

[ReHabs]

It's not hard to be honest. One can say they think Slafkovsky has developed his game and looked like he has improved while not lying about it.

It isn't a lie if you sincerely believe he's improved. It is lying to suggest something that is statistically false and easily disproven. Slaf has a lower PPG in his second season, his production has regressed.

 

[Adam Michaels]

There has been so many development examples thrown out in this thread and all it has shown me is that there isn't a single way to develop a prospect.

The team has been clear that they don't care about his points, that they want him to refine the fundamentals, and they want him next to MSL. They believe that this is where he is in the best place to learn.

Whether it's the right call, we won't find out for another few years. I've not seen any regression in his game, thus so far, it's not hurting.

It is exactly what you say it is. They want him with MSL.

 

[neopreneur]

Aside from a few games when he was with Newhook and Anderson, Slaf has looked good since camp. And even when he was with Newhook and Anderson, he's set up Anderson with some golden chances, but we all know how snake bitten he is.

Now he's been on a line with Cole, and he's set him up with some real good chances, and now Cole is unable to hit the back of the net.

He may not have many goals, but Slaf would definitely have more points if Anderson and Caufield would convert some of those chances.

But even beyond the production, it's good to see Slaf more involved in the game. And while he has gotten hit, it's not like last year where he gets caught with his head down constantly. You see him with his head up more.

I actually completely forgot about that (head down). It's night and day.

 

[Lshap]

Some will dismiss this... But to anyone who has ever been a part of a culture of excellence built from the ground up, this will sound very familiar.

Many posters around here simply don't get just how hard it is to build this.

That really is great to hear. Easy to cynically dismiss it as a media soundbite, but I'd like to think Slafkovsky is being 100% sincere.

 

[SlafySZN]

That really is great to hear. Easy to cynically dismiss it as a media soundbite, but I'd like to think Slafkovsky is being 100% sincere.

I really think this kid is build to blossom here in this kind of market. Caufield/Suzuki are great exemple for him.

All he did since he’s been here is getting better and keep his focus despite the noise around him.

 

[Adam Michaels]

It's not hard to be honest. One can say they think Slafkovsky has developed his game and looked like he has improved while not lying about it.

It isn't a lie if you sincerely believe he's improved. It is lying to suggest something that is statistically false and easily disproven. Slaf has a lower PPG in his second season, his production has regressed.

You're right that he's statistically at a lower PPG pace than he was last year. He had 10 pts in 39 games last year. He's currently on pace for 7 pts in 39 games. And at some point, he'll need to put up points on the board.

However, at this moment, regardless of his lower PPG pace, the way he's playing is encouraging. He's more engaged and isn't solely a passenger on his line, but is more involved in the play. And for me, at this time, I'll accept the lower PPG pace if it means him looking more comfortable out there.

But I will repeat, at some point, he will need to contribute on the production.