Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Naslundforever]

There is nothing to comprehend. There is nothing better of what he does.
His defensive plays are invisible
He's scared to use his body
He's always 1-2 sec too late with the puck.
He gets bodied way too easily , with his size he should be the one bodying people.

What don't you understand that this kid place right now is not in the NHL but in the AHL?

He averages 15min a game this season , even gets #2 PP time. What else do we need that he's simply not ready? Why are you all so scared to send him in the AHL to learn , why do people think the AHL is a prison or what? Many players learned in the AHL. Not everyone is NHL ready.

He's on pace for 15 points this season , do people not have any standards anymore? We sent other players for less in the last years , why not Slaf? The coach don't even know what to do with him to begin with.

Do we need another 230 pages to go around it? Pezetta is a bigger menace than him at this point and last time I checked , Pezetta is barely a regular in the NHL.

19 though.

I disagree about his defensive game, agreed about his physicality and speed of reading/execution. I bet his release gets quicker by the end of the season.

 

[Naslundforever]

If that's how the AHL team is run, then even better for Slaf. Let him work on what he should work on. The two-way defensive stuff is less important -- a forward needs to produce points, and a winger with size needs to learn to use his size to produce points. Dude is too far behind the play and that hasn't changed since last year no matter how much hype some commentators want to pour on.

I believe the context was Reinbacher and/or Hutson (play free). Maybe Slaf been on the big stage so young and so long he’s too anxious.

 

[Lshap]

Lots of people stop learning in all sorts of environments.

A very astute HR thought leader I had the privilege of learning from said it best... Some people have 25 years of experience, others have 25x1 year of experience.

Learning is never a given. Mistaking the comfort of habit with learning is something people without an appreciation for nuance will regularly confuse.

The team, and perhaps more importantly, the player, feel quite evidently that this is the optimal environment of the available options. There is ample and growing evidence of that, whereas there is no tangible evidence to the contrary... All the speculating that he'd be better off in Laval is just that, pure speculation.

We'll never know definitively if he "would" have progressed faster or further had they taken a different approach. All we know now is that he is steadily improving and getting more comfortable in his game (with some important adjustments from his pre-draft habits that "should" translate to greater overall effectiveness as he hits his peak).

Only part to discover now is just how good he will get, and frankly I don't see any reason for anyone to be less bullish on his ceiling than they were 15 months ago.

Future is bright

I appreciated your content about learning. I also appreciate how we've turned this 19-year-old kid into a case study on development. NHL or AHL? Progress or stagnation? Future top-six or bust? We're all watching the same games, but none of us agree on what we're seeing.

You can point to the absence of goals and assists and say, "See?". You can also point to a vast future that's barely begun and say, "See?". Neither side is imagining what they see, so neither side is going to budge. This thread has become a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good philosophy conundrum. But as a respectful, constructive debate it kinda' sucks....

 

[cave troll]

If that's how the AHL team is run, then even better for Slaf. Let him work on what he should work on. The two-way defensive stuff is less important -- a forward needs to produce points, and a winger with size needs to learn to use his size to produce points. Dude is too far behind the play and that hasn't changed since last year no matter how much hype some commentators want to pour on.

Last year Slaf was shooting 9.5% and this years he is 4,2%.
He is a below average shooter and mostly harmless to goalies.
Ha basically needs to shoot 3-4 SOG per game to even reach 10 goals.
Now he is on 1,4 SOG in his sophomore season.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

One thing I noticed is that this guy never blows the zone early he's actually quite often the guy who gets the breakout started sort of like a center would. He is almost always the first guy back on the backcheck on 3 on 2's as well. He really does skate quite well without the puck. He almost never cheats on offence. Something you see Cole or Anderson and even Newhook do alot

You can tell he's played in a mens league because he's quite defensively aware in transition for his age.

He had a rough game yesterday , actually just a rough third period but had two very good ones before.

I wish they would give him and cole monahan though

 

[Lshap]

Btw, no one is expecting or hoping for a breakout this year, whst ppl want to see is progress. 40 points would have been a good number to hit.

We can all carry on like having a worse ppg and lousy production is the progress we were hoping for, but it’s not what anyone was hoping for or even expecting.

We are debating which developmental path puts Slaf in the best position to succeed. It doesn’t mean he’s a bust or will bust, but we aren’t doing him any favours. Dismissing his lack of production and still claiming we made the right choice here is bs.

His lack of production is a real thing right now, but whether Slaf was the right choice isn't about "Right now".

I've stated my expectations: 10 points by year end. 10 more by season's end. Followed by marked increase next season. He's a 19-year-old who deserves wiggle room and patience, but it doesn't mean he gets a lifetime pass from putting up points.

 

[morhilane]

One thing I noticed is that this guy never blows the zone early he's actually quite often the guy who gets the breakout started sort of like a center would. He is almost always the first guy back on the backcheck on 3 on 2's as well. He really does skate quite well without the puck. He almost never cheats on offence. Something you see Cole or Anderson and even Newhook do alot

You can tell he's played in a mens league because he's quite defensively aware in transition for his age.

He had a rough game yesterday , actually just a rough third period but had two very good ones before.

I wish they would give him and cole monahan though

He was the main reason how his line managed to get out of the dzone last night, but by the 3rd he was looking tired by how he lacked oomph (he seems to have better endurance in his legs than his arms too).

But to me, last game was a repeat of the Slaf/Newhook/Anderson era, for similar group structure/execution failure reasons.

 

[NORiculous]

His lack of production is a real thing right now, but whether Slaf was the right choice isn't about "Right now".

I've stated my expectations: 10 points by year end. 10 more by season's end. Followed by marked increase next season. He's a 19-year-old who deserves wiggle room and patience, but it doesn't mean he gets a lifetime pass from putting up points.

How do you manage his ice time compared to guys like Ylonen or anyone else that is contributing?

 

[Tyson]

Slaf has had some decent games recently which is promising but like any young player who is developing he will have bad games.
I see the potential but I also see how beneficial playing in Laval would be. He would immediately be playing 20 minutes a game and probably having a blast.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

He was the main reason how his line managed to get out of the dzone last night, but by the 3rd he was looking tired by how he lacked oomph (he seems to have better endurance in his legs than his arms too).

But to me, last game was a repeat of the Slaf/Newhook/Anderson era, for similar group structure/execution failure reasons.

Agreed , Id just rather see him blow the zone and try things a la josh anderson than being the young player who feels like he has to do everything in all 3 zones just to be able to touch the puck lol. That said I think some posters are too hard on his 2 way efficiency and I think he's pretty good in that aspect in the game , its probably one of the main reasons MSL is keeping him up in the first place.

If he was better with the puck on his stick he would already be a beast out there since he keeps up with the play very well.That's probably why so many of us are advocating for AHL we want him with the puck on his stick so he can better understand what to do in certain *in game situations* that you just can't replicate in practice like that 2 on 1 45 seconds into the game the other night.

Fans eating you up is a real thing and although slaf seems like a good kid who can handle it we really can't know if his mental aspect is taking a hit by continuously making the same mistakes in the same offensive situations. I quite like his overall game if he figures these things out and I think he will but its going to take some time

 

[DAChampion]

The idea is that it shouldn't matter with whom he plays -- that he'd be skilled and capable enough to be The Man on whatever line and on the whole AHL roster. Maybe not immediately but within a few games.

If you need to mollycoddle him even in the AHL... I'm not sure what to say. I think Kent Hughes is afraid of this too. A 1OA who's had 50+ NHL game experience and has been enjoying hand-holding from Martin St. Louis... we should not be afraid of the AHL...

In this poll I voted Europe, btw. For good reason.

Agreed, if Slafkovsky can't perform in the AHL ...

 

[xposbrad]

Slaf is not producing, and he's been bad more than he's good. He has to be sent down, I don't expect him to be completely polished but he's not improving. I've seen some good shifts, but I've seen many turnovers and sloppy skating and some weak plays on the boards. We need to lower our expectations on him, I don't see him being a big point getter or 1st line potential.

 

[AmeriHab]

Seems like a candidate who will move to another team and break out then.

No I don't know him or am in the locker room for whoever wants to say this in a response

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I'd love to see Slaf use his size and strength a whole lot more, given his 6ft3 230lbs frame, BUT....

• I'm not holding this against him right now because he's painfully obvious he doesn't have his 'grown-man' strength as of yet.
• It's also obvious he's not fully ready for the NHL.

Ylonen has been in the AHL for a while and looks pretty darn good right now.....

Just sayin'

I haven’t been able to watch much and I’ve never been crazy bullish on Ylonen but he deserves a real shot. He should be given a lot more rope 100%

I appreciated your content about learning. I also appreciate how we've turned this 19-year-old kid into a case study on development. NHL or AHL? Progress or stagnation? Future top-six or bust? We're all watching the same games, but none of us agree on what we're seeing.

You can point to the absence of goals and assists and say, "See?". You can also point to a vast future that's barely begun and say, "See?". Neither side is imagining what they see, so neither side is going to budge. This thread has become a must-read for anyone who enjoys a good philosophy conundrum. But as a respectful, constructive debate it kinda' sucks....

Always enjoy your posts but this one especially should be pinned. Good stuff

 

[Treal]

I'd love to see Slaf use his size and strength a whole lot more, given his 6ft3 230lbs frame, BUT....

• I'm not holding this against him right now because he's painfully obvious he doesn't have his 'grown-man' strength as of yet.
• It's also obvious he's not fully ready for the NHL.

Ylonen has been in the AHL for a while and looks pretty darn good right now.....

Just sayin'

Imagine if he had skipped the AHL altogether, how far ahead would he be right now?

 

[NORiculous]

I don't see him being a big point getter or 1st line potential.

That’s what rushing a player does. They adapt to the speed but don’t translate the offence.

I think he can still be salvaged but he needs to be sent down and he needs to stay there until he dominates the AHL offensively. So who know how long it will take.

At that point, cups of coffee in the NHL, to see how the offence is translating.

Hughes needs to show he has balls and admits they have went wrong by making the right move.

Imagine if he had skipped the AHL altogether, how far ahead would he be right now?

They were actually using that as a selling point last year by saying he was the only regular in the NHL, etc.

I guess they can’t say that anymore, specially with the season Cooley is having.

If they don’t correct the situation, it will get worse.

 

[Habs]

Chad Kilger 2.0 if we are lucky

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

His lack of production is a real thing right now, but whether Slaf was the right choice isn't about "Right now".

I've stated my expectations: 10 points by year end. 10 more by season's end. Followed by marked increase next season. He's a 19-year-old who deserves wiggle room and patience, but it doesn't mean he gets a lifetime pass from putting up points.

Didn’t see last nights game and can’t comment. However, since moving up he’s made a bunch of great plays and should have more points. It’s just a fact.

But the Habs did him no favours playing him on lower lines before this.

Bottom line - points or not - he’s been mostly good over the past five or six games. A big improvement. So I don’t see how it makes sense to send him down now that he’s finally upping his game.

Believe it or not Cole Caufield will start scoring again. And when he does they’ll come in bunches. Slaf will benefit from that too. For now we have to ride it out. As long as he’s improving he should stay on top lines. If his play drops - THEN send him down.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

That’s what rushing a player does. They adapt to the speed but don’t translate the offence.

I think he can still be salvaged but he needs to be sent down and he needs to stay there until he dominates the AHL offensively. So who know how long it will take.

At that point, cups of coffee in the NHL, to see how the offence is translating.

Hughes needs to show he has balls and admits they have went wrong by making the right move.


They were actually using that as a selling point last year by saying he was the only regular in the NHL, etc.

I guess they can’t say that anymore, specially with the season Cooley is having.

If they don’t correct the situation, it will get worse.

Shouldn’t have been in the NHL last year I agree. And we screwed around with him for the first ten or so games this year on lower lines as well.

But now? He’s played well and his sniper linemate can’t score. It doesn’t make sense to me to send him down as he’s starting to play his best hockey.

 

[Mrb1p]

The Kraken sent back the one who should not be named to the AHL.

Jiricek was sent back.
Nemec is in the AHL.

Why cant the Habs make the decision? If the pick is really about 5 years down the road (so now three and 3/4 years), whats the hold up?

 

[AHShadow]

One thing I noticed is that this guy never blows the zone early he's actually quite often the guy who gets the breakout started sort of like a center would. He is almost always the first guy back on the backcheck on 3 on 2's as well. He really does skate quite well without the puck. He almost never cheats on offence. Something you see Cole or Anderson and even Newhook do alot

You can tell he's played in a mens league because he's quite defensively aware in transition for his age.

He had a rough game yesterday , actually just a rough third period but had two very good ones before.

I wish they would give him and cole monahan though

I wonder if its because he thinks he needs to play well defensively to get more minutes and better linemates.

One thing that MSL always does whenever he's asked about Slaf is "The reason I trust him is because he's good defensively."

If I'm a kid and I hear that, then obviously it's something I'd focus on. I wonder if the message shouldn't be more "He's good defensively and now what we're working on is how we can transition that into offense"

 

[Mrb1p]

I wonder if its because he thinks he needs to play well defensively to get more minutes and better linemates.

One thing that MSL always does whenever he's asked about Slaf is "The reason I trust him is because he's good defensively."

If I'm a kid and I hear that, then obviously it's something I'd focus on. I wonder if the message shouldn't be more "He's good defensively and now what we're working on is how we can transition that into offense"

Slaf is literally dreadrul defensively and never knows where to go in the Dzone. His line gets hemmed 100% or the time.

Aside from offensive skills, its the only other area that is not NHL worthy.

 

[Lshap]

The Kraken sent back the one who should not be named to the AHL.

Jiricek was sent back.
Nemec is in the AHL.

Why cant the Habs make the decision? If the pick is really about 5 years down the road (so now three and 3/4 years), whats the hold up?

I don't think the NHL gets a bulk discount on AHL demotions. Just because some kids are being sent down, doesn't mean Slafkovsky needs to be packaged with them.

I originally said if Slafkovsky doesn't show measurable progress by the end of November, he should be sent down. Since then he's shown progress... but most of it's still interpretive. So I've drawn another arbitrary line in the sand: 10 points by end of year. He's got 7 to go. If he can't reach that modest goal, send him down. I admit it's an entirely made-up number. I'm trying to bring this conversation out of the ether and set real measurements.

 

[morhilane]

I wonder if its because he thinks he needs to play well defensively to get more minutes and better linemates.

One thing that MSL always does whenever he's asked about Slaf is "The reason I trust him is because he's good defensively."

If I'm a kid and I hear that, then obviously it's something I'd focus on. I wonder if the message shouldn't be more "He's good defensively and now what we're working on is how we can transition that into offense"

That's nothing new and not limited to the NHL. If Slaf wasn't good enough defensively for MSL, he wouldn't be playing where he is right now.

 

[Habit11]

I wonder if its because he thinks he needs to play well defensively to get more minutes and better linemates.

One thing that MSL always does whenever he's asked about Slaf is "The reason I trust him is because he's good defensively."

If I'm a kid and I hear that, then obviously it's something I'd focus on. I wonder if the message shouldn't be more "He's good defensively and now what we're working on is how we can transition that into offense"

Which is rather contradictory by MSL when he pulls him off the ice for the last 5 - 10 mins of games where they've had the lead or substitute Evans for him on Dzone face-offs... or how he doesn't play 4on4 or 3on3.

If the team could somehow explain why they are ok giving Anderson 17mins a night including 1st PP unit time to not produce rather than Slafkovsky I am all ears. This 14mins a night he's getting often involve long stretches of him sitting on the bench when penalties start going back and forth and the 2nd unit PP always gets garbage time.

I'm fine with the slow and steady approach in year 1 and I can understand it through maybe the first two months of this season coming off a prolonged injury, but if they don't increase his minutes and start to expect and start to see production from him come December then I would rather see him play 20mins a night in the AHL. This needs to come from the GM. MSL is coaching to win games just like every other coach and Slafkovsky is clearly an afterthought to that approach as they don't expect or rely on him much, so Hughes needs to step in and tell his coach hey, this kid needs 18mins a night minimum or I'm sending him down.

Are they rebuilding or not? I'm pretty tired of seeing Anderson play ahead of Slafkovsky and guys like Ylonen/Pezzetta play behind Armia or Pearson or Gallagher all season. Barron only gets in because of Savard going down. Primeau plays once in a while because of Allen. This team should be youth forward at all positions all the time, no exceptions.