Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[habdynasty]

keep improving big guy!

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

The guy that he passes to won’t finish either, because every goaler in the NHL already has gotten the memo that he always passes.

It’s basically Suzuki to Caufield but 10 times worse.

 

[Kennerback]

View attachment 778765

Maybe him a paranoid doubting Thomas but I’ll be worried until the day he actually produces. I‘m aware I’ll never be much of a motivational speaker.

I can add that he’s the most entertaining player on the team to watch right now. I really hope he takes that next step.

 

[The Great Weal]

Loving his game right now but his release and shot are killing most of his chances of producing at a higher rate. Glad to see we got people working on it with him.

 

[Redux91]

"He's playing better!", "He's more involved physically!".

Lol. So he slightly improved from being really bad, and hasn't produced shit. And we're basing this on a game where he played with our two best forwards.

The standards are so low, I think the only way we could reach them is by mining the depths of Moria.

Yessss
With you, that makes it an official "handful" of Slaf Super Haters!
You're the thumb!


Also watch the f***ing games maybe lol

 

[OnTheRun]

Maybe him a paranoid doubting Thomas but I’ll be worried until the day he actually produces. I‘m aware I’ll never be much of a motivational speaker.

Nah it's fine to doubt until proven otherwise, but you're still looking at 19 years old player who has yet to play 70 games in the NHL.
Slaf need to be more assertive and take more shots, but at this stage, a young player deferring to his more established teammates to take the shot is as old as time. It's not something to be worried about -yet-.

 

[Gravity]

"He's playing better!", "He's more involved physically!".

Lol. So he slightly improved from being really bad, and hasn't produced shit. And we're basing this on a game where he played with our two best forwards.

The standards are so low, I think the only way we could reach them is by mining the depths of Moria.

Points are coming. When you see a young player being dominant, it's just a matter of time.

 

[themilosh]

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.

if only Dach can stay healthy, because that would be 2/3rds of our very first Legion of Doom line! unless Beliveau was sort of the first? I only started paying attention around 1979/.

 

[417]

As long as we agree that you ignoring his brutal flaws and saying he's playing well (lol) is also irrelevant.

I've pointed out the things I feel he needs to work on several times, just because I don't let those things possess my soul and every thought like you, doesn't mean I don't recognize them.

It also doesn't prevent me from recognizing the things he's doing that I feel will eventually lead to production.

I don't need Slafkovsky to impress me, that's not how I evaluate the progress of a player lol

And I promise you, Slafkovsky ain't worried about impressing you either.

 

[Jeune Poulet]

He’s -3, listening to you I assumed it was double digits lol

+/- is not purely an individual stat. It's a collective, situational statistics.

It's not outlandish to have questions about Lane Hutson's defensive game and how it wil translate to the NHL. There are very few defensemen who have this combo of size/skating issues. It's noticeable when you watch him play.

Doesn't mean he won't make it, though.

 

[Jaaanosik]

I don’t see any game breaking qualities in this guy. I’m sorry, I don’t.


Some celebrate every good play he makes. His improvement has been marginal imo.

Yeap, it appears you are behind the times.

 

[Toene]

I've pointed out the things I feel he needs to work on several times, just because I don't let those things possess my soul and every thought like you, doesn't mean I don't recognize them.

It also doesn't prevent me from recognizing the things he's doing that I feel will eventually lead to production.

I don't need Slafkovsky to impress me, that's not how I evaluate the progress of a player lol

And I promise you, Slafkovsky ain't worried about impressing you either.

I woke up this morning, scratched my balls and posted about finding Slaf underwhelming. It's not that serious lol. Kind of concerning you make up these scenarios in your mind though.

Since we drafted him, I've shared many times all the things I like about him. More than half of my posts about him are positive. But I won't lose my mind and be smug because a player I liked had a decent game and 0 points. That's eye-roll worthy.

C'est pas vraiment controversé de dire que j'ai des réserves. Le gars a zéro l'air d'un all-star en ce moment, c'est pas quelques mises-en-échec qui vont m'exciter. I stand by my opinion. He can be good, but right now he just isn't. One ok game doesnt outweigh the mediocre ones.

 

[417]

I woke up this morning, scratched my balls and posted about finding Slaf underwhelming. It's not that serious lol. Kind of concerning you make up these scenarios in your mind though.

For you maybe.

Since we drafted him, I've shared many times all the things I like about him. More than half of my posts about him are positive. But I won't lose my mind and be smug because a player I liked had a decent game and 0 points. That's eye-roll worthy.

Cool story. I've done no such thing. I don’t even think I've said a word about his last game.

C'est pas vraiment controversé de dire que j'ai des réserves. Le gars a zéro l'air d'un all-star en ce moment, c'est pas quelques mises-en-échec qui vont m'exciter. I stand by my opinion. He can be good, but right now he just isn't. One ok game doesnt outweigh the mediocre ones.

Mais ca change quoi qu’il n’a pas l’air d’un joueur étoile aujourd’hui, les dirigeants de l’èquipe l’ont dit clairement le jour qu’il à èté repêcher qu’il va etre un projet à long terme.

The fact we’re impatient doesnt change a damn thing in that. I'm gonna say what I've said from jump, he needs to develop at his pace.

 

[Toene]

For you maybe.

Cool story. I've done no such thing. I don’t even think I've said a word about his last game.

Mais ca change quoi qu’il n’a pas l’air d’un joueur étoile aujourd’hui, les dirigeants de l’èquipe l’ont dit clairement le jour qu’il à èté repêcher qu’il va etre un projet à long terme.

The fact we’re impatient doesnt change a damn thing in that. I'm gonna say what I've said from jump, he needs to develop at his pace.

I have no problem with seeing him has a long-term project. But they didnt treat him as such. He graduated after an okay camp last year. If he's up here, he must at least look like he's deserving of his spot, at the level he's supposed to reach one day.

Example : Carlsson was rushed this year, but he has shown flashes of high-end play, even with reduced minutes and opportunities. A few dekes in close and some good hits are reassuring, but aren't definitive evidence of high-end play. I want to be wowed by a first overall. Je suis tellement difficile!

 

[417]

I have no problem with seeing him has a long-term project. But they didnt treat him as such. He graduated after an okay camp last year. If he's up here, he must at least look like he's deserving of his spot, at the level he's supposed to reach one day.

Sure they did...they LITERALLY said that they're not looking for him to be the best 18-19 year old player from the draft, they wanted him to be the best 3-5 years from now.

Our lack of patience doesn't change that.

Also this idea that the NHL or pro sports is some sort of meritocracy is bogus...that's not how it works.

I would have sent him to the AHL to start last year, but they decided otherwise.

No big deal....you guys watching what the prospects in Laval are doing? How anyone would want our 1st overall pick playing in that environment and under that coach is bizarre to me.

Example : Carlsson was rushed this year, but he has shown flashes of high-end play, even with reduced minutes and opportunities.

Carlsson? as in Leo Carlsson, huh?

He was drafted this year lol

Edit - sorry read that too fast, how was he rushed if he's still here? I'm not sure i get this reference, if anything it counters everything you're arguing.

 

[Toene]

Sure they did...they LITERALLY said that they're not looking for him to be the best 18-19 year old player from the draft, they wanted him to be the best 3-5 years from now.

Our lack of patience doesn't change that.

Also this idea that the NHL or pro sports is some sort of meritocracy is bogus...that's not how it works.

I would have sent him to the AHL to start last year, but they decided otherwise.

No big deal....you guys watching what the prospects in Laval are doing? How anyone would want our 1st overall pick playing in that environment and under that coach is bizarre to me.

Carlsson? as in Leo Carlsson, huh?

He was drafted this year lol

Edit - sorry read that too fast, how was he rushed if he's still here? I'm not sure i get this reference, if anything it counters everything you're arguing.

It doesn't. Carlsson, a 2OA, was rushed, but shows flashes of high-end talent. Slafkovsky was rushed, and he shows flashes of good-to-great-talent.
Sometimes it works, I agree, but Slaf didnt have close to the pedigree of a player able to step in the NHL right away. Now he's surviving. Cool. Maybe he'll overcome his growing pains. I'm couting on it. I can repeat it once again if it's needed : I'm a Slaf fan who thinks he has an elite ceiling.

But before we can comfortably reassess (5 years from now), I call it as I see it : He has big flaws and doesn't tilt the ice. He needs to be better, sooner than later. Is that such a ground-breaking take? You may think it is, but it's debatable. Let's do it, it's what makes this board fun.

I can criticize a player and still not throw the towel. It's definitely possible in a world where someone who criticizes a player isn't automatically categorized as a hater. J'espère qu'on est capable de faire ces nuances-là, sinon le board serait plate. Ne tombons pas dans ces simplifications à outrance.

 

[Andrei79]

Loving his game right now but his release and shot are killing most of his chances of producing at a higher rate. Glad to see we got people working on it with him.

His progress does make you feel it's going to come at some point. His shot release is too slow and sloppy, he needs better timing, but he actually has a superb shot when he gets it through.

 

[417]

It doesn't. Carlsson, a 2OA, was rushed, but shows flashes of high-end talent. Slafkovsky was rushed, and he shows flashes of good-to-great-talent.
Sometimes it works, I agree, but Slaf didnt have close to the pedigree of a player able to step in the NHL right away. Now he's surviving. Cool. Maybe he'll overcome his growing pains. I'm couting on it. I can repeat it once again if it's needed : I'm a Slaf fan who thinks he has an elite ceiling.

Look at Trevor Zegras this year compared to his 2 previous seasons, starting out fast out of the starting blocks doesn't mean you're gonna win the race.

We’re way too pre-occupied with the present, when it's really about 2-3 years from now.

But before we can comfortably reassess (5 years from now), I call it as I see it : He has big flaws and doesn't tilt the ice. He needs to be better, sooner than later. Is that such a ground-breaking take? You may think it is, but it's debatable. Let's do it, it's what makes this board fun.

So do most NHL players, why does he have to perform like Conor McDavid just to be deemed good enough to be on the ice?

He doesn't need to be better soon than later, he's got a lot of time to get better. We don't set arbitrary deadlines for what he has to be by a certain time.

I can criticize a player and still not throw the towel. It's definitely possible in a world where someone who criticizes a player isn't automatically categorized as a hater. J'espère qu'on est capable de faire ces nuances-là, sinon le board serait plate. Ne tombons pas dans ces simplifications à outrance.

I didn’t call you a hater, i’ve been critical of the player myself. But that doesn't blind me from recognizing the progress he’s making.

But I've always been a big believer in process over results.

Le seul commentaire que je t’ai fait, c’est quand tu as mentionné qu’il ne t’impressione pas en ce moment. Ce n’est pas son travail de t’impressioner, son travail est de progresser comme joueur de hockey, si ca te plait visuellememt ou pas, ca n’a aucune incidence sur son processus.

 

[417]

His progress does make you feel it's going to come at some point. His shot release is too slow and sloppy, he needs better timing, but he actually has a superb shot when he gets it through.

I find it's often because he's not prepared to shoot before he even gets the puck. Watch him on the PP when he's playing the half wall and the puck is on the other side of the ice, he's not cocked ready to shoot and anticipating a pass, whenever he gets a pass he seems like he's in between actions and the pass catches him by surprise.

Part of the reason why Caufield is so good at scoring is because he’s always anticipating that he’s going to be shooting. So when he gets a pass or there's a loose puck, he's already thought about getting into his shooting mechanics.

That's definitely something that can be corrected though and i’m encouraged by how he's taken to coaching instructions and applying it in games. There's tangible evidence of this.

 

[Toene]

Look at Trevor Zegras this year compared to his 2 previous seasons, starting out fast out of the starting blocks doesn't mean you're gonna win the race.

We’re way too pre-occupied with the present, when it's really about 2-3 years from now.

So do most NHL players, why does he have to perform like Conor McDavid just to be deemed good enough to be on the ice?

He doesn't need to be better soon than later, he's got a lot of time to get better. We don't set arbitrary deadlines for what he has to be by a certain time.

I didn’t call you a hater, i’ve been critical of the player myself. But that doesn't blind me from recognizing the progress he’s making.

But I've always been a big believer in process over results.

Le seul commentaire que je t’ai fait, c’est quand tu as mentionné qu’il ne t’impressione pas en ce moment. Ce n’est pas son travail de t’impressioner, son travail est de progresser comme joueur de hockey, si ca te plait visuellememt ou pas, ca n’a aucune incidence sur son processus.

Fair enough. C'est pas sa job de m'impressioner, bien sûr, mais ma job de fan critique c'est de caller c'que je vois, tel que je le vois. Le gars y'a du gros potentiel, mais je veux le voir l'utiliser.

Slaf has a tremendous potential, but I'd like to see him show more, so I can be convinced he's on track to reaching it. My opinion doesn't mean shit, sure, but the same goes for anyone who chime in this early in his development.

 

[tnq]

Any Slaf hater want to have KK back ? Lesson learnt

 

[waitin425]

Let me just remind everyone in here.......

Slaf has always been a work in progress. He was drafted for what the scouting staff believes he can become by age 22. Not where he was at on draft day.

"But, why would we draft a project? First overall's should not be a work in progress and more of a certainty"

I agree with this statement to a point. It depends on the draft class. Our management decided that the risk/reward of drafting and developing Slaf had greater reward then drafting any of the other top 5 from this draft.

As of today......ALL SIGNS ARE POINTING TOWARDS THE RIGHT CALL BEING MADE! It is not a slam dunk but it is trending in the right direction.

If you want to be depressed that there was no Bedard in that draft, feel free. I've mentally blocked that.

Choose to acknowledge we have probably drafted the best player (make it two with Hutson ) from that draft and keep cheering our boys to develop,

 

[417]

Fair enough. C'est pas sa job de m'impressioner, bien sûr, mais ma job de fan critique c'est de caller c'que je vois, tel que je le vois. Le gars y'a du gros potentiel, mais je veux le voir l'utiliser.

It’s fine to criticize a player, again, I’ve been critical of the player myself. But you saying he hasn’t impressed you is as valuable as me saying he has impressed me.

Neither has anything to do with anything. You just wrote he’s got big potential, to which I’d agree, but potential by definition is

“having or showing the capacity to become or develop into something in the future.”

It’s not the “future” yet.

Slaf has a tremendous potential, but I'd like to see him show more, so I can be convinced he's on track to reaching it. My opinion doesn't mean shit, sure, but the same goes for anyone who chime in this early in his development.

See above definition of the word “potential”…I’d also love it if he showed more, now, but that’s not what potential or development is about.

He’s on HIS timeline, not mine…if it takes him another 100-150 NHL games, that’s just what it is.

Also, I never said your opinion doesn’t mean shit, we’re on a discussion forum, your opinion and everyone’s opinions here matters despite what certain people would have you believe, cough cough.

 

[DAChampion]

Any Slaf hater want to have KK back ? Lesson learnt

What are you talking about? I don't recall a single person suggesting a Slafkovsky for Kotkaniemi trade.

 

[BaseballCoach]

What are you talking about? I don't recall a single person suggesting a Slafkovsky for Kotkaniemi trade.

Agreed.

What's interersting is that we never, I mean NEVER heard a coach say during KK's first 80 games in the league that the kid was mature enough to handle first line duties for a bit.

I think that reflects BOTH having a more patient coach AND having a more special player.