No metric. Him handling himself as a NHL player and improving every game. Seeing him shoot more and finding open lanes. If he shoots 10 times on net and doesn't score, he'd be more succesful in my eyes than him shooting 1 time and scoring once on somebody,s butt.
One day, Slaf will and should be measured in points. At 19, he should be measured in how he handles himself.
Most posters are seeing improvements each and every game (stats are starting to support that). What are you seeing that shows he is not improving or stagnating? Any observations you care to share?
How has he been handling himself?
I will provide my observations. Slaf started the year looking a little lost at times. That sense of being lost, was leftover from where he was last year, where it looked like his processing was a step slower than where it needed to be. He was getting rid of the puck like a hot potato. Early, I liked the use of his size, reach and some small attempts at some creative passing, but I wanted to see more. I worried that he was relying on his reach too much, and being a little lazy because of it (players were just skating through his stick, instead of putting his body in better position). Despite all this, he still was doing things that were NHL quality. I felt these were minor things he needed to improve on, and that a lot of it could be improved by better processing of the game and confidence.
Lately, I have noticed that his decision making with the puck is extremely better. He is consistently making good passes. He is position his body much better, using his reach when appropriate but not just allowing players to skate through his stick. He is imposing himself physically in both zones and winning puck battles. He is holding onto the puck longer and making better decisions instead of the hot potato analogy. His head is up for quick reads. His shooting (or should I say decision to shoot) needs to be improved. I feel this will come with more experience and confidence.
Now, I may not be right....but my observations and opinions clearly are aligning with MSL and the coaching staff. We are seeing more confidence from the coaching staff, more minutes later in the game, even OT minutes.
My last point....the points are following along with the observed development.
He belongs in the NHL and is developing in the NHL.
So again, why do you believe he is stagnating (opposite of improving every game) and what concerns you about how he is handling himself?
