Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Jaynki]

Jaynki was tryna f*** around and he found out.

Found out what exactly?

That Roy is better than Slaf? Are you sure you want to double down on it?

 

[Habit11]

Dude if playing the vets is what’s winning you play them. You don’t play your young guys on the first line and first powerplay if it means they lose games… because they wouldn’t be having success if they’re losing lol. I also note out first line was a 22 year old, a 24 year old and a 19 year old last night and our top minute d man was Guhle, who is 21.

Your argument then boils down to that we should play the young guys even if it is a losing formula. That just doesn’t make any sense at all.

As an aside, Pearson, Dvorak, Gallagher have all been playing roughly 3rd and occasionally 2nd line minutes. Lets be real here.

Martin was playing vets without success and despite the lack of it.

Don't tell me what makes sense after you're quoting me arguing in the Slafkovsky thread that he needs to play ahead of certain older players like Anderson who have zero upside. Last night they do exactly what I said, he played great and they won the game.

How is he supposed to look like a 1st line player playing with Evans and Pearson like they had him? That truly made no sense especially after Newhook got hurt. What also bothers me is when asked about moving Slaf up, Marty's response was, "why not?". That's not really what I want to hear about a guy they drafted 1st overall because that response doesn't coincide with a plan. That coincides with happenstance due to the Newhook injury and everyone else doing very little. That really doesn't give me comfort for the future.

You mention playing the vets if the vets help you win games, ok sure if we're talking about the LA Kings I agree. But we're talking about a team here that has the fewest regulation wins in the league and is bottom 10 in points percentage, and you want to talk to me about a "losing formula"?

Anderson and Armia and Gallagher who have all played on the top line recently aren't really helping the offense, aren't getting any younger and aren't getting any better. Continually shoe horning them there is pointless. It does though on a rebuilding team make sense to give those minutes to Slaf or Ylonen or RHP (when healthy) and to call a winger up from Laval in light of the Newhook injury. Also, just because you lower the ice time of certain vets it's also not a guarantee the team will lose more, but I can live with the losses if certainly players are growing as the year goes on and not stagnating in the bottom 6 (like Ylonen) so Anderson can pop one in from 200 feet every 1/4 of the season.

I'm all in on how they are playing Guhle, and Barron too, but does Barron get this many minutes if Savard is healthy? I don't think so, and that would have been a huge mistake. They need to be all in on all the young guys, and for the most part they are. That's good because the wins and losses right now do not matter as much as the "process" as MSL likes to talk about, I just want them 100% all in on that process across the board and not giving candy to guys on the roster who Kent Hughes couldn't give away if he paid another team to take them off his hands.

 

[Kennerback]

Slaf never had a problem scoring everywhere he played. He probably won’t be a 50 goal scorer in the NHL but he’ll adjust and score his share of goals.

Goal scoring is a tricky thing. You have it or you don’t. I trust Anderson will come back and score around 20 goals, but I just have no reference point for Slaf. And 67 NHL games + Ligaa is a long time in the pros not producing. I hope he can improve.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Lol do people really think Roy will be a first liner?

Um…. Maybe? I think he’s got really good potential.

 

[Mrb1p]

Found out what exactly?

That Roy is better than Slaf? Are you sure you want to double down on it?

That your conjecture was stupid.

 

[Jaynki]

That your conjecture was stupid.

You argued that more teams had a Slaf-like players than they had a Roy-like prospects based on their age and point production right?

Are you sure you want to argue my conjecture was stupid?

 

[BLONG7]

The kid was A-1 last night!! He was clicking with the 1st line, and was all over the place.
It was great to see.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

If he was a player that could shoot and score, there would be no race with Cooley. Cooley would be crushed and would not have the upside to catch up.

But It’s easy to project a young player getting bigger, stronger, a bit faster, adjusting to the speed of the game, improve defensively, learn systems. But how can I project a player that looks that good but has a negative track record statistically in the pros?

There’s no precedent for a player like Slaf that I can remember. How can I tell if a guy that never scored, will suddenly score?

He played almost all of last year with scrubs in limited minutes. I’d argue he probably shouldn’t have been in Same thing happened to start this season… Since moving up he’s been night and day better. He should behave more points than he has.

Everything is improving for him. Once he starts shooting pucks more, it’ll help tremendously.

 

[417]

Its not what Im doing, it is what Jaynki was doing though. Idc about stats much, I care about how Slaf looks.

So my apologies…I just went back and now understand the context in which you wrote that comment.

I'll mind my own business, carry on lol

 

[admiralcadillac]

Played lot of games with Caufield.

Don't tell me what makes sense after you're quoting me arguing in the Slafkovsky thread that he needs to play ahead of certain older players like Anderson who have zero upside. Last night they do exactly what I said, he played great and they won the game.

How is he supposed to look like a 1st line player playing with Evans and Pearson like they had him? That truly made no sense especially after Newhook got hurt. What also bothers me is when asked about moving Slaf up, Marty's response was, "why not?". That's not really what I want to hear about a guy they drafted 1st overall because that response doesn't coincide with a plan. That coincides with happenstance due to the Newhook injury and everyone else doing very little. That really doesn't give me comfort for the future.

You mention playing the vets if the vets help you win games, ok sure if we're talking about the LA Kings I agree. But we're talking about a team here that has the fewest regulation wins in the league and is bottom 10 in points percentage, and you want to talk to me about a "losing formula"?

Anderson and Armia and Gallagher who have all played on the top line recently aren't really helping the offense, aren't getting any younger and aren't getting any better. Continually shoe horning them there is pointless. It does though on a rebuilding team make sense to give those minutes to Slaf or Ylonen or RHP (when healthy) and to call a winger up from Laval in light of the Newhook injury. Also, just because you lower the ice time of certain vets it's also not a guarantee the team will lose more, but I can live with the losses if certainly players are growing as the year goes on and not stagnating in the bottom 6 (like Ylonen) so Anderson can pop one in from 200 feet every 1/4 of the season.

I'm all in on how they are playing Guhle, and Barron too, but does Barron get this many minutes if Savard is healthy? I don't think so, and that would have been a huge mistake. They need to be all in on all the young guys, and for the most part they are. That's good because the wins and losses right now do not matter as much as the "process" as MSL likes to talk about, I just want them 100% all in on that process across the board and not giving candy to guys on the roster who Kent Hughes couldn't give away if he paid another team to take them off his hands.

Anderson had a goal and an assist yesterday.

Pearson had a goal.

Evans played the most hockey on the team at forward.

Like guys its a team, Slaf is 19. I’m okay with him playing in different roles even if I do think he’s progressing well enough to be on the top line.

 

[Shabs]

I think its because he has a super long torso and very short legs for his height.

When I see him skate I keep thinking he looks exactly like Pierre Engvall

 

[FLHabs]

What makes me very optimistic about Slaf is that, for him to have an impact every shift, the game he has to play is very simple. Compete hard along the boards, forecheck hard and use his size and reach to poke at pucks and punish player along the boards. Just doing these things will open up the ice for Suzuki and Caufield to do their thing. Suzuki is gonna feast on the turnovers Slaf will create.

Now as he continues to progress and improve his passing/playmaking abilities, puck possession game, speed, and shooting, you can end up with a very special 2 way player, dare I say "unicorn" hehe.

 

[Mrb1p]

So my apologies…I just went back and now understand the context in which you wrote that comment.

I'll mind my own business, carry on lol

Kiet patnais egare

 

[Canadiens Ghost]

I'm starting to see what the Habs brass saw in Slaf when they drafted him.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Toronto and Boston would laugh at us.

Roy is a B prospect that seems to emerge from the plethora of B prospect every organisation has.

If we could package him in a deal for a proven top six winger i would do it. Dont think he holds much value alone. Pretty much every organisation has a Roy in its prospect pipeline.

I 100% agree with your assessment on him and i share the same concerns. I also would not be surprised if he is outplayed for a roster spot next year by Mesar or Beck.

I think you're being overcritical of Roy. He's dominated at lower levels, stepped into the AHL and dominated right away. Now he's facing adversity for the first time in a long time. I woudn't just sluff this guy off. His skating may not be the best but he's got a good head on his shoulders and good hands.

He's not going to be anything fancy. You won't see him dancing like Caufield does but he's cerebral and good at going to the right place at the right time. He's one of few players that I've actually seen a fair bit of in the minor leagues and stylistically he's a lot like Luc Robitaille. Really good hands and instincts. His skating isn't great and he won't give you spinnoramas but I think he can be an effective player. Let's see how he progresses in the AHL.

 

[Jabba11]

Still so happy of his performance last night. Now, guys and gals, imagine this...

Slafkovsky playing this way with Kirby Dach...wowowowowwowowowow

 

[themilosh]

I'm starting to see what the Habs brass saw in Slaf when they drafted him.

everyone crying foul (re cooley) conveniently forgets that it was Wright or Slaf. at this point, I don;t think anyone in the media or fanbase can argue that Wright would/will be the bigger player - so for that metric alone, you have to give huge props to HUGO for going against the grain bc my god can you imagine if we Wright putzing along right now?

My hope, is that same selection process results in the same for Rnmkr v michkov. we'll know more in 3 years, jury is still out.

 

[BaseballCoach]

Still so happy of his performance last night. Now, guys and gals, imagine this...

Slafkovsky playing this way with Kirby Dach...wowowowowwowowowow

So about the concept of patience when it comes to Slafkovsky, which has been talked about a lot in the past 16 months.

So are those who wanted Slaf to go the American Hockey League upset that he is progressing as fast as he has, into a top 6 role just 61 games into his career? Is that too fast? Would folks prefer he not have PP time, and not play with good players, that his center be Evans, Stephens, Maillet or Kidney?

Or did folks think that if he just played the right magic number of games in Laval last year or this year, he would be FURTHER into his development now, and if so, is that not displaying impatience?

Asking for a friend, since she's not seeing many posts where anyone says that he underestimated the development Slaf could achieve practicing with and playing against NHLers versus minor leaguers.

 

[Jaynki]

I think you're being overcritical of Roy. He's dominated at lower levels, stepped into the AHL and dominated right away. Now he's facing adversity for the first time in a long time. I woudn't just sluff this guy off. His skating may not be the best but he's got a good head on his shoulders and good hands.

He's not going to be anything fancy. You won't see him dancing like Caufield does but he's cerebral and good at going to the right place at the right time. He's one of few players that I've actually seen a fair bit of in the minor leagues and stylistically he's a lot like Luc Robitaille. Really good hands and instincts. His skating isn't great and he won't give you spinnoramas but I think he can be an effective player. Let's see how he progresses in the AHL.

Agree with much of your analysis.

Not sure if i am overcriticizing him tho as i have him as our 3rd best prospects. That is bound to change tho depending on his growth this year.

I just refrain from being excited by prospects unless they are doing special things or have special tools. That is not the case with Roy.

 

[ReHabs]

So about the concept of patience when it comes to Slafkovsky, which has been talked about a lot in the past 16 months.

So are those who wanted Slaf to go the American Hockey League upset that he is progressing as fast as he has, into a top 6 role just 61 games into his career? Is that too fast? Would folks prefer he not have PP time, and not play with good players, that his center be Evans, Stephens, Maillet or Kidney?

Or did folks think that if he just played the right magic number of games in Laval last year or this year, he would be FURTHER into his development now, and if so, is that not displaying impatience?

Asking for a friend, since she's not seeing many posts where anyone says that he underestimated the development Slaf could achieve practicing with and playing against NHLers versus minor leaguers.

Two (or more) aspects in development. One would be adapting to the NHL-rink and NHL speeds, obviously that's likelier done in the NHL but comes with additional risks such a injuries etc. He already suffered a major injury last year, one that most of you conveniently ignore. I think that risk is reduced now, after much pain and the major injury that derailed his rookie season, because he looks much more present and involved in the game.

The second is developing his (weak) playmaking ability. I think, and so do many professional commentators, that it's fair to say a player can developed this more easily against easier opposition such as in the AHL. Slafkovsky has not demonstrated much in terms of this aspect. Maybe one day you'll concede this point. To your credit, however, it could be that once he's adapted to the NHL-game (speed/size/intensity) he can then develop his playmaking ability. There is a long way to go on that front and we'll never know until we see it.

It is one of those topics that should be dropped, if you want to consider it a victory be my guest - you won. He will not be developed in the AHL. God speed.

 

[CDN24]

If he was a player that could shoot and score, there would be no race with Cooley. Cooley would be crushed and would not have the upside to catch up.

But It’s easy to project a young player getting bigger, stronger, a bit faster, adjusting to the speed of the game, improve defensively, learn systems. But how can I project a player that looks that good but has a negative track record statistically in the pros?

There’s no precedent for a player like Slaf that I can remember. How can I tell if a guy that never scored, will suddenly score?

He reminds me a lot of John Leclair. Big left shot winger. It takes time. Leclair played 4 years of college after being drafted. Then at the NHL level he scored 8G in 59 games as a rookie. Then 2 years of 19G but always left you wanting more. Then our glorified beer salesman of a GM got impatient after he scored 1 in 9 games to start his 4th season and sent him off to Philly.

Not saying Slaf is as good as Leclair but we are 25 games into his 2nd season. At this point Leclair still had 2 1/2 years of college to go and a couple more getting adjusted to the NHL.

Slaf you will not know what you have until maybe his 5th season. You see the potential, when he gains confidence and brings it consistently look out.

 

[Tyson]

Significant size and skill, Habs need this type of player.

 

[nhlfan9191]

Agree with much of your analysis.

Not sure if i am overcriticizing him tho as i have him as our 3rd best prospects. That is bound to change tho depending on his growth this year.

I just refrain from being excited by prospects unless they are doing special things or have special tools. That is not the case with Roy.

We don’t have any prospects or young players right now that are doing special things. We need to hope a few of them grab the bull by the horns so tho rebuild is a success.

 

[admiralcadillac]

We don’t have any prospects or young players right now that are doing special things. We need to hope a few of them grab the bull by the horns so tho rebuild is a success.

Is Lane Hutson doing normal things?

 

[Jaynki]

We don’t have any prospects or young players right now that are doing special things. We need to hope a few of them grab the bull by the horns so tho rebuild is a success.

Being an NHL regular in your D+1 or D+2 is a special thing that usually leads to top of the line-up player.

Being the most productive dman in decades in the NCAA even above some current megastar in the NHL is a special thing.

Agree for the rest.