Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Kennerback]

So which Power Forwards of the current era do you think can be compared to Slafkovsky. Or rather, to whom Slafkovsky can compare?

There’s no one quite like him. I have him breaking open up defences and making space for our skilled forwards. Because he’s a good stick handler and passer he seamlessly works with them. He’ll be an asset in the playoffs as I don’t think the tightening of the game will particularly affect him.

I see him as a 20-30-50, which is still an extrapolation as he might be at a dozen goal pace right now. I hope he could do even more but he’s so raw in offensive point production that there needs to be massive progress in that area.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

This just popped up in my Google feed. Interesting to read Hughes’ thoughts.

Thinks his board work has improved immensely but still needs the confidence to not always pass off. Also said that they’re leery of giving him a list of too much to work on. He’s progressing well.

Canadiens Kent Hughes On Slafkovsky’s Development & Timeline

Montreal Canadiens general manager Kent Hughes had some interesting views on Juraj Slafkovsky’s development path and what’s yet to come for their former 1st overall pick. Despite his club playing .500 hockey and slightly defying NHL betting odds as of late, the focus for Hughes this season...

montrealhockeynow.com

 

[DAChampion]

Aren't "unicorns" by definition incomparable?

In general, player comparisons are the nadir of discussion on this board.

I realized this a decade ago or so. I was reading a discussion of Joonas Nattinen, and somebody wrote "like Saku Koivu, but with size."

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

In general, player comparisons are the nadir of discussion on this board.

I realized this a decade ago or so. I was reading a discussion of Joonas Nattinen, and somebody wrote "like Saku Koivu, but with size."

People also lose the nuance in what’s being said sometimes. If you say Joshua Roy looks like Robitaille stylistically, people sometimes jump to the conclusion that you think he’s the next Luc Robitaille.

 

[angusyoung]

It never surprises me to see so much premature ejaculation, of the verbal variety that is, going off half-cocked. Hold on a bit longer before making such declarations. You don't win anything with such shortcomings.

 

[BerthMania]

I absolutely love Slaf in the last 8-10 games. He's often a threat, he creates danger offensively and is solid like a rock on the board. I'd like him to hit more, but it'll come with time. He also lacks finish, but it's also something to work on. Last year I was doubting the pick hard, this year he looks to me like a future important piece of this team, a rare piece I might add.

 

[overlords]

Aren't "unicorns" by definition incomparable?

You just have to compare them to other make believe, mythical creatures like the Liger.

 

[ReHabs]

It never surprises me to see so much premature ejaculation, of the verbal variety that is, going off half-cocked. Hold on a bit longer before making such declarations. You don't win anything with such shortcomings.

Obviously Habs fans can be pleased + happy that he's playing big minutes, he's making his presence felt on the ice, and he's looking completely different than he did earlier this season or almost all of last season. This is a player who had several shortcomings to his overall game and he's rapidly closed the gap in certain domains. We can't be displeased.

Optimistic fans will extrapolate and assume that the other facets will come good too. I'm not one such fan, and it doesn't seem like you are either. I've seen enough hockey to know prospect "projects" (just like real life projects) don't always deliver to 100% completion. A lot has to go right before he's an impact player in the NHL and it's just as likely he comes short. But projecting future failure is negativity for the sake of negativity at this point, so no point dwelling on it... also the denizens here hate it. As I've come to learn.

Catching up to NHL speeds and the dimensions of the NHL game (space and time) is one thing... thriving within that framework by making the right decisions with the right plays, that is another. One impacts the other, sure, but we all see insufficient ability in the latter at this time. The latter is what many of us wanted him to work on in the AHL (or Europe) and we took for granted that the former (adapting to NA ice/speeds) would happen on its own. It didn't happen, we move on. Let's hope he actually shows growth in his decision making and playmaking.

Hopefully with the time-space he's gaining as the game increasingly slows down for him he can make better decisions which will lead to better puck outcomes and refined instincts. It's impossible to predict what it'll look like or what will happen from now until then. Statistically he is an anomaly (in a bad way) but what's a unicorn, then?

 

[Hannibal]

He’s my only reason to watch the games.

He’s so fun to watch develop.

 

[Naslundforever]

He’s my only reason to watch the games.

He’s so fun to watch develop.

He’s going to need bigger, manlier line mates; Caufield is whiffing on all his feeds and can’t follow his game. Once Dach comes back Hugo need to trade 2-3 D prospects and start throwing bags of gold towards a big ass right winger with all-star skill. Coco and Suzy can man the 2nd line.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

He’s going to need bigger, manlier line mates; Caufield is whiffing on all his feeds and can’t follow his game. Once Dach comes back Hugo need to trade 2-3 D prospects and start throwing bags of gold towards a big ass right winger with all-star skill. Coco and Suzy can man the 2nd line.

It’s pretty funny to say that CC is holding him back. Cc’s our best offensive talent and they’ve looked great together.

Honestly though, you’re right. CC should’ve potted goals on several setups.

I wouldn’t break them up though. Just keep them together. Slaf is progressing regardless and the points will eventually come. Maybe not this year but it doesn’t matter at this stage.

 

[SlafySZN]

He’s going to need bigger, manlier line mates; Caufield is whiffing on all his feeds and can’t follow his game. Once Dach comes back Hugo need to trade 2-3 D prospects and start throwing bags of gold towards a big ass right winger with all-star skill. Coco and Suzy can man the 2nd line.

Caufield definitely can follow his game otherwise he wouldn’t have as many chances with Slaf’s feeds. They were producing (Slaf had 5 points in the 7-8 games he played with Caufield and Dvorak) points are not coming since they got with Suzuki for some reason. We’ll have to see when CC get back to himself.

One thing is for sure is that they need 1 elite guy and another top 6, after that we’ll be able to try multiple lines combinaison.

 

[Colezuki]

I think everyones forgetting how good him and dach looked, Id try and pair the two of them back together when Dach returns next year alongside caufield. Then work on a quasi second line with Suzuki, newhook and someone else

 

[Kennerback]

I absolutely love Slaf in the last 8-10 games. He's often a threat, he creates danger offensively and is solid like a rock on the board. I'd like him to hit more, but it'll come with time. He also lacks finish, but it's also something to work on. Last year I was doubting the pick hard, this year he looks to me like a future important piece of this team, a rare piece I might add.

Slaf looks really good. But he’s incredibly raw offensively. I don’t remember a blue chip young player this raw in finish. I want him to get better. I don’t know what approach they need to take now but he needs a complete offensive game makeover.

He’s a great puck mover and retriever in the offensive zone. But when it’s time to score, It’s almost like that part of his game was never really worked on.

 

[Frank Drebin]

I think everyones forgetting how good him and dach looked, Id try and pair the two of them back together when Dach returns next year alongside caufield. Then work on a quasi second line with Suzuki, newhook and someone else

I mean, they played together for about a game and a period.

 

[Colezuki]

I mean, they played together for about a game and a period.

And the preseason

 

[Ozmodiar]

I think everyones forgetting how good him and dach looked, Id try and pair the two of them back together when Dach returns next year alongside caufield. Then work on a quasi second line with Suzuki, newhook and someone else

Yeah, that was a a solid 1 game sample.

 

[417]

I haven't seen anyone suggest he go to the WJC yet...i'm impressed.

 

[Habs 4 Life]

The only thing I would tell him, be comfortable and take that shot. I like that he is playing with Cole and Nick but he is always looking to give the puck to 22. He has a hell of a shot, take it and trust yourself kid!

 

[le_sean]

For anyone enamoured with judging prospects by HockeyDB pages

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I think everyones forgetting how good him and dach looked, Id try and pair the two of them back together when Dach returns next year alongside caufield. Then work on a quasi second line with Suzuki, newhook and someone else

Next year I’d like to see:

Slaf Dach CC
Newhook Suzuki Roy

 

[AHShadow]

For anyone enamoured with judging prospects by HockeyDB pages

And oh look, maybe Slaf is actually improving and has good underlying numbers despite not producing.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

And oh look, maybe Slaf is actually improving and has good underlying numbers despite not producing.

Nice to see the numbers reinforcing the eye test. He’s playing well and creating chances.

 

[Ajhccwrs]

So since it looks so far like management has got it right with Slaf, have people given more trust to the habs brass decision making.

 

[Andrei79]

On any other team with productive forwards, Slaf would have a lot more points. Many of his chances don't get converted.