It will take time. He still rushes the play when he doesn’t have to. Tonight on the empty nigh for example, he seemed to rush to shoot. He had more time than he thought. I’m sure they’re showing him tapes of this stuff after every game.
It appears so, multi point games will come as well.
I suppose one point in six games could be extrapolated to a .65 pace rather than a .16 if we squint our eyes.
Slafkovsky is 19 years old and was on the ice for the last minute of play defending a one goal lead.
Slafkovsky is becoming a constant physical force for the team. Opposing defencemen are starting to become very wary of his looming presence. It’s interesting to watch their reaction when Slafkovsky is in their area. At 19, he is already a physical match for most defencemen he plays against. In fact, he is often more than a match for them.
Slafkovsky was hitting and crushing Islanders players all over the ice last night. There use to be an old saying that aptly applies to Slafkovsky: when he hits you, you stay hit.
He's still looking lost at times and his reaction time to loose pucks isn't great, he's like a baby learning to use his hands out there at times. I have always liked his ability to make passes, he's one of the best passers on the team. His shot release is too slow but will get better. Also, his defensive awareness has taken big steps forward and MSL trusting him to be out there with the game on the line proves it. I see him as a 50-60 point player when he matures but one that plays a strong two-way game, a really good second line player.
Sure but that's the production he's had on the top line. I would expect more next season but I doubt Slaf explodes this year just based on how he creates chances. His passing and shooting choices still need work and I don't see him getting over that hump this season. We should just be happy there's progress where there was none last year and the start of this season.
I think even at his very, very raw current stage, he’s generating waaay too many chances for himself and his linemates to top out at that level in his prime. Obviously it could happen if his development stagnated but right now, without his 1 in a million toolbox he wouldn’t even be in the NHL for another couple years of development so it’s a bit early to put a ceiling on him.
I think the issue with his passing/shooting has more to do with delayed decision making. When he's decisive, his is effective. (like really effective). When he's unsure, he looks awkward.
He's 19. A man child. I don't think anyone can accurately predict his ultimate upside. But the notion of sending him down to the AHL so that he can grow his game is now, thankfully, a spent idea. Slafkovsky is now here to stay.
