Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[the valiant effort]

After 69 career NHL games:

Slaf: 18 pts (6G, 12A)
Byfiedd: 20 pts (7G, 13A)

Two high picks whose development included growing into their big frames.

 

[Jaynki]

I suppose one point in six games could be extrapolated to a .65 pace rather than a .16 if we squint our eyes.

You are looking backward.

 

[Andy]

It’s funny that after all the beautiful set ups the last 6 games, he finally gets a point just simply forechecking.

Other than Dach, no one has been able to get Suzuki and Caufield sustained ozone time. Slaf is an absolute beast on the forecheck, with his stick and disrupting break outs

 

[OldCraig71]

He had a decent game last night, made a nice play in the defensive zone and was the main reason that the Caufield goal happened. I would like to see Caufield and Suzuki pass to him more often, they seem to only look for each other on the ice no matter who is the third player on that line.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

He had a decent game last night, made a nice play in the defensive zone and was the main reason that the Caufield goal happened. I would like to see Caufield and Suzuki pass to him more often, they seem to only look for each other on the ice no matter who is the third player on that line.

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 is proving to be a good fit on the top line, adding a needed element of physicality and having the skating, skill and vision to keep up with two very creative players. His offensive contribution and numbers will only grow as the season progresses.

 

[HomaridII]

Does anyone have the clip of him throwing aside somebody one handed like rag doll? I think it was in the second period.

 

[Andrei79]

Despite all the alchemy, U16 IQ and historically worst production for a high pick since another bust named Byfield, the eye test is looking good.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Does anyone have the clip of him throwing aside somebody one handed like rag doll? I think it was in the second period.

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.

 

[WinterLion]

I think we ruined his development. He should never have played NHL at now he will bust.

 

[OldCraig71]

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 is proving to be a good fit on the top line, adding a needed element of physicality and having the skating, skill and vision to keep up with two very creative players. His offensive contribution and numbers will only grow as the season progresses.

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.

 

[Ezpz]

You are looking backward.

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.

 

[Jack Skellington]

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.

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.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

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 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.

Last night for example, he had multiple opportunities to shoot (or to walk in from the left boards and shoot from a prime location) and opted to pass. He needs to be more selfish - like a Caufield. Last night i questioned whether he had a decent shot and that's why he was opting to pass (like Drouin). Then i looked back at his highlights and he has a good shot.

Its a decision making issue. That is easily corrected.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

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.

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.

 

[Jaynki]

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 don't disagree with your takes but that is not how i would speculate with a 19yo growing at his rate right now.

Like goldenhands, i think 32 points in 52 games is totally realistic. I would not use the last six games as a data point to discredit it, especially since he had 5-6 grade A chances per game.

Producing at a constant rate is the only thing that is missing before having an absolute stud.

 

[SlafySZN]

He’s constantly having those kind of games every game now. We can say it’s now his normal level until he takes another step!

 

[Jaynki]

He’s constantly having those kind of games every game now. We can say it’s now his normal level until he takes another step!

What is this other step and how much does it cost out of his ELC?

That is exciting seriously.

He has 69 games played and barring any injuries, there is still 132 to be played until the end of his ELC.

 

[Essenege]

They have been the most prolific line this year for the Habs in terms of scoring chances. Around 60% of expected goals. Considering they don’t have the easiest deployment, this is very, very encouraging. We haven’t seen a lot of cycling offense in the last 2 years, so this is welcome.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

He's been generating free chances in the slot for his teammates at 5 on 5 for 2 weeks now making plays out of nothing. Its pretty dam impressive and staggering how much better he is now than to start the season. I didn't even expect him to be this visually impactful at 19 when we drafted him so after a rough start in the NHL he's basically right back on track in terms of his development profile considering his size and draft pedigree.

Hopefully he keeps it up. I know development isn't linear and there might even be some regression down the line this season but man it would be nice to see a kid just constantly improve until he becomes a beast something I've personally never seen in my life on this team.

 

[Kennerback]

He had a decent game last night, made a nice play in the defensive zone and was the main reason that the Caufield goal happened. I would like to see Caufield and Suzuki pass to him more often, they seem to only look for each other on the ice no matter who is the third player on that line.

Slaf’s very good at keeping plays alive. So If Suzuki and Caufield are in a precarious situation they should pass to Slaf. But they are mindful that Slaf as a rule doesn’t shoot from the mid-slot (see NHL Edge numbers). If the idea is to score, they’re better off looking to finish themselves.

 

[EddyK]

Most used forward yesterday at 19:26. It is a matter of time before the points starts coming. Would love to hear why people think his cap is 50 points at his best. Very premature to say that. I remember Joe Thornton didn’t look like a 100 points producer in his second season. Not saying he will be Joe but give Slaf time to get offensively comfortable and you won’t be disappointed.

 

[ChesterNimitz]

Most used forward yesterday at 19:26. It is a matter of time before the points starts coming. Would love to hear why people think his cap is 50 points at his best. Very premature to say that. I remember Joe Thornton didn’t look like a 100 points producer in his second season. Not saying he will be Joe but give Slaf time to get offensively comfortable and you won’t be disappointed.

You're asking people to be patient? What heresy.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

He'll create goals endlessly where he won't get a point on. From his forechecking, his board work, screening goalies, creating havoc in space in front of the net, etc. That'll be a thing.

But it won't be an excuse for non-production, it will be an added bonus to whatever production he'll bring which I'm going to go out on a limb (not really) and say will likely be on the higher end.

Again, we're traumatized by Galch and KK but when 19 year olds are doing this well in the NHL, the chance you have a star on your hands goes up dramatically. I honestly don't think Galch or KK ever shown as dramatic a leap in their progress at any point in their careers with us. And certainly not so quickly.

Bet against him and cap him at 50 pts as much as you want but could you honestly really be that shocked that a kid who dominated two international grown man tournaments at 17, and is now proving to be one of our better forwards at 19 years old turns out to be better than a 2nd liner?

The best evidence we have that he'll be 50 pts or a 2nd liner is that we're cursed. If people just come out and say that I'll applaud them. That's a more logical argument in my books then any kind of rational empirical evidence of his play lol.

 

[skidcells]

Now let’s hope we keep losing games so we can grab Cayden Lindstrom, who is in the same mold and happens to be a center. Habs need to keep getting bigger.

However, at this rate to get Lindstrom I think we’ll need not only to keep losing but also some luck. He goes top 3 with that unique package

 

[Goldenhands]

However, at this rate to get Lindstrom I think we’ll need not only to keep losing but also some luck. He goes top 3 with that unique package

We have a 7 games road trip, we will see where we are at in the standing after that stretch. But if we can go something like 2-5, it would be great, dont forget that we are going to sell at the deadline, Monahan at the very least is gone. The rest of the calendar will be much tougher in general as well.