Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Andy]

View attachment 748558

Just a lil check. Just a lil gander up ice, like you're about to cross the street Juraj.

Mailloux should be reading and directing, too, of course.

At this point, Matthews makes it through regardless of whether Slafkovsky looks behind his back or "scans". Mailloux should have directed it him before this point. This still only reinforces that idea.

Also, this whole discussion reinforces my view that this Slafkovsky shift by shift analysis is toxic as hell.

 

[Kennerback]

Do you actually believe that Matvei Mitchkov is going to be a better player than Alex Ovechkin?

I think it's more likely that the KHL's level of competition is declining.

No. The point is they knew they were passing on a superstar. They have very little margin for error. So they must assume the player they pick at the other position, while inferior, is also going to be top player. Also, they must have done their due diligence on Reinbacher’s psyche. Some players put in that position have crumbled under pressure. And Slafkofsky never had that level of pressure.

 

[NotProkofievian]

At this point, Matthews makes it through regardless of whether Slafkovsky looks behind his back or "scans". Mailloux should have directed it him before this point. This still only reinforces that idea.

Also, this whole discussion reinforces my view that this Slafkovsky shift by shift analysis is toxic as hell.

You're actually right. Trying to talk about Slaf is toxic AF and it always has been. Slaf is the next Rantanen, he's a better prospect in every way than Brady Tkachuk, his floor is higher than RNH, and now, he's not even supposed to scan, no notes, do it again Juraj. Oh, and scanning is now a meme because WTK said it a week back, not like you can find a dozen videos of literal children being taught to do just that.

 

[Andy]

You're actually right. Trying to talk about Slaf is toxic AF and it always has been. Slaf is the next Rantanen, he's a better prospect in every way than Brady Tkachuk, his floor is higher than RNH, and now, he's not even supposed to scan, no notes, do it again Juraj. Oh, and scanning is now a meme because WTK said it a week back, not like you can find a dozen videos of literal children being taught to do just that.

This addresses nothing I said and comes across incredibly childish. I am not even sure what point you are trying to make other than a bad one.

I do think the over analyzing of one shift of a 5 man breakdown to search for any minute detail to blame slaf incredibly toxic and very representative of a portion of this fan base's attitude towards him this entire pre-season.

Slaf looks better than last year. This is clear as day. With young prospects, this is what you want to see, progression. Stagnation and regression are red flags, but I don't see it here.

He's clearly better than any other forward prospect this entire camp, and the other players better than him this camp have been Dach, Suzuki, Caufield and Monahan. I would argue that him, Newhook, and Anderson have all had similar showings this camp. This is only positive.

If you are going to evaluate him every shift and puck touch, you will find issues. This is the case for any player. On the whole, I see a player who has improved a lot of from last year and is clearly able to able to play in the nhl. Whether he's ready to be a top 6 producer as of game 1 is still an open question, but I like what I see so far.

 

[Captain Mountain]

View attachment 748558

Just a lil check. Just a lil gander up ice, like you're about to cross the street Juraj.

Mailloux should be reading and directing, too, of course.

Not to absolve Slaf, but I'm not sure why this is in the Slaf thread when Mailloux has his eyes on the play developing and Anderson is just watching the play from behind and turns away from the other forward on the ice (who is Auston ****ing Matthews).

I mean, yeah, Slaf should have clocked Matthews and not played Marner as tight to better protect against the cross-ice pass, but he was covering Marner and he played him tight until the blueline. It was not on him to immediately pivot and cover a player coming at speed. That's on the other three guys letting Auston Matthews (who was behind them when the play began to develop) enter the zone with speed and not covering him at all. It was a PP, Toronto's D weren't going to charge the zone.

 

[DAChampion]

No. The point is they knew they were passing on a superstar.

It is not known if Mitchkov will be a superstar.

 

[417]

What would you tell him to do differently? He's not 5 people, he's one person.

I just wrote what I would have done...I would have spoke with ALL 5 players.

Not just him simply because he was the only 1st overall pick on the ice for the Habs .

 

[waitin425]

Not to absolve Slaf, but I'm not sure why this is in the Slaf thread when Mailloux has his eyes on the play developing and Anderson is just watching the play from behind and turns away from the other forward on the ice (who is Auston ****ing Matthews).

I mean, yeah, Slaf should have clocked Matthews and not played Marner as tight to better protect against the cross-ice pass, but he was covering Marner and he played him tight until the blueline. It was not on him to immediately pivot and cover a player coming at speed. That's on the other three guys letting Auston Matthews (who was behind them when the play began to develop) enter the zone with speed and not covering him at all. It was a PP, Toronto's D weren't going to charge the zone.

It's in this thread as Notpro tried to use it to bolster the anti-Slaf argument by labelling the play as a "yiiikes" referring to Slaf. I attempted to disprove said "yiiiikes" by slowing the video down and showing what was plain for everyone to see on further analysis. The Anti-Slaf crowd doubled down on their position here, and the argument devolved into nonsense. When I saw this last night, I thought Slaf dropped the ball here. But, in reality....like you said, this belongs more in the Anderson, Gally or Mailloux thread.

 

[417]

This addresses nothing I said and comes across incredibly childish. I am not even sure what point you are trying to make other than a bad one.

I do think the over analyzing of one shift of a 5 man breakdown to search for any minute detail to blame slaf incredibly toxic and very representative of a portion of this fan base's attitude towards him this entire pre-season.

Slaf looks better than last year. This is clear as day. With young prospects, this is what you want to see, progression. Stagnation and regression are red flags, but I don't see it here.

He's clearly better than any other forward prospect this entire camp, and the other players better than him this camp have been Dach, Suzuki, Caufield and Monahan. I would argue that him, Newhook, and Anderson have all had similar showings this camp. This is only positive.

If you are going to evaluate him every shift and puck touch, you will find issues. This is the case for any player. On the whole, I see a player who has improved a lot of from last year and is clearly able to able to play in the nhl. Whether he's ready to be a top 6 producer as of game 1 is still an open question, but I like what I see so far.

Can fans be sent to the AHL?

I joke I joke.

 

[waitin425]

Can fans be sent to the AHL?

I joke I joke.

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

I have to say, the one thing Slaf is REALLY good at is being divisive lol. If he was any worse you'd probably have more people willing to send him down.
If he was any better, I think people would be a lot happier with him. He's just treading that line perfectly lol. It's quite frustrating.

To me the tie goes to the AHL. When it's that hard to see, it's wisest to just err on the side of caution imo. He does look better and he's showing positive things. Beautiful pass to Dach in close in the 1st or 2nd. I remember him knocking an absolute bullet of a zone clear attempt right out of mid air like it was nothing and was so close to keeping it in the figs zone. It was pretty amazing. Saw him keep another puck in along the boards.

You see him looking a bit lost at times though.

Some reporter should really have the guts to ask why they're seemingly so averse to sending him down and try to get more detail out of them.
It's frustrating.

I don't think he's been bad enough to warrant being sent down. I don't always go for advanced stats but they kind of bear out what I'm seeing. He's bringing plenty of positives. But you just can't help but think the AHL could give him more confidence even if he's let down at first. But again when he generally deserves his spot, how do you do that? Genuinely asking.

Hopefully, the regular season sees a bigger bump in his play. Preseason's a tough one. You can't out and out ignore it but certain players really get going when the season starts. Let him start there but like I've said many times, keep him on a short-ish but not taut leash.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Not to absolve Slaf, but I'm not sure why this is in the Slaf thread when Mailloux has his eyes on the play developing and Anderson is just watching the play from behind and turns away from the other forward on the ice (who is Auston ****ing Matthews).

I mean, yeah, Slaf should have clocked Matthews and not played Marner as tight to better protect against the cross-ice pass, but he was covering Marner and he played him tight until the blueline. It was not on him to immediately pivot and cover a player coming at speed. That's on the other three guys letting Auston Matthews (who was behind them when the play began to develop) enter the zone with speed and not covering him at all. It was a PP, Toronto's D weren't going to charge the zone.

The big mistake that Mailloux makes here is not directing traffic. He has the best view of what's happening, and the best dmen do it. The reason why this is in the Slaf thread is because there's no awareness on Slaf's part. Not the first time I've seen him chasing guys all over the ice. He's an enthusiastic player, and he wants to do the right thing. I think he thinks he's doing the right thing here by ''backchecking hard.''

This addresses nothing I said and comes across incredibly childish. I am not even sure what point you are trying to make other than a bad one.

I do think the over analyzing of one shift of a 5 man breakdown to search for any minute detail to blame slaf incredibly toxic and very representative of a portion of this fan base's attitude towards him this entire pre-season.

Slaf looks better than last year. This is clear as day. With young prospects, this is what you want to see, progression. Stagnation and regression are red flags, but I don't see it here.

He's clearly better than any other forward prospect this entire camp, and the other players better than him this camp have been Dach, Suzuki, Caufield and Monahan. I would argue that him, Newhook, and Anderson have all had similar showings this camp. This is only positive.

If you are going to evaluate him every shift and puck touch, you will find issues. This is the case for any player. On the whole, I see a player who has improved a lot of from last year and is clearly able to able to play in the nhl. Whether he's ready to be a top 6 producer as of game 1 is still an open question, but I like what I see so far.

You don't have a point. You can't be made to agree with a statement that is so basic that it is taught at every single level of hockey, and not only will you argue with this basic concept but you label it a meme, and call other people toxic for noticing literally anything about Slaf's game. That's a joke. This is a hockey board, people allegedly come here to discuss hockey, and I post a video of hockey, and make a hockey analysis, and apparently that's toxic and a meme.

Okay bud.

I just wrote what I would have done...I would have spoke with ALL 5 players.

Not just him simply because he was the only 1st overall pick on the ice for the Habs .

And what would you have said to each of those players?

 

[Jaynki]

I have to say, the one thing Slaf is REALLY good at is being divisive lol. If he was any worse you'd probably have more people willing to send him down.
If he was any better, I think people would be a lot happier with him. He's just treading that line perfectly lol. It's quite frustrating.

To me the tie goes to the AHL. When it's that hard to see, it's wisest to just err on the side of caution imo. He does look better and he's showing positive things. Beautiful pass to Dach in close in the 1st or 2nd. I remember him knocking an absolute bullet of a zone clear attempt right out of mid air like it was nothing and was so close to keeping it in the figs zone. It was pretty amazing. Saw him keep another puck in along the boards.

You see him looking a bit lost at times though.

Some reporter should really have the guts to ask why they're seemingly so averse to sending him down and try to get more detail out of them.
It's frustrating.

I don't think he's been bad enough to warrant being sent down. I don't always go for advanced stats but they kind of bear out what I'm seeing. He's bringing plenty of positives. But you just can't help but think the AHL could give him more confidence even if he's let down at first. But again when he generally deserves his spot, how do you do that? Genuinely asking.

Hopefully, the regular season sees a bigger bump in his play. Preseason's a tough one. You can't out and out ignore it but certain players really get going when the season starts. Let him start there but like I've said many times, keep him on a short-ish but not taut leash.

Which team demotes its 5th best forward?

Well, actually i will also concede Anderson and Newhook.

Which team demotes its best 8th forward?

Slaf places is in the NHL and he would be in the top 9 of every single NHL team.

 

[waitin425]

I post a video of hockey, and make a hockey analysis, and apparently that's toxic and a meme.

You're initial analysis was "yiiiiikes"

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Which team demotes its 5th best forward?

Well, actually i will also concede Anderson and Newhook.

Which team demotes its best 8th forward?

Unless you wanna argue Gally, Pearson, Armia, Pezzetta, etc are better.

Which I did mention, It's hard to justify in that sense. But he's too important an asset to have the AHL not be an option if need be. If he keeps growing and improving once real games happen then yeah you keep him up.

He could be the best 10th best forward but would you want him on the 4th line as opposed to top minutes in the AHL?

 

[NotProkofievian]

You're initial analysis was "yiiiiikes"

Yes. And then we had a back and forth. Toxic.

 

[417]

And what would you have said to each of those players?

Sigh...what I said twice before.

That there needs to be better communication on the ice between all 5 players.

But the ONE player who actually did what he was responsible for correctly, WAS Slafkovsky lol

That's the weird part to me - again, I think it's absolutely ridiculous that we're actually debating this ONE sequence but...

Anderson - what's he doing on the ice?

Gallagher - Bis

Mailloux - he's got the play in front of him, he's the defensman whose skating backwards and decides to VACATE THE MIDDLE OF THE ICE, to help support a backechking Slafkovsky who already has Marner accounted for.

Once more, this is a 5 man breakdown in communication - how some have you have decided to use this particular play to champion your cause of sending Slafkovsky down to the AHL is bewildering to be honest, when in reality, he's probably the one player on that sequence who has the least amount of blame.

 

[Jaynki]

Which I did mention, It's hard to justify in that sense. But he's too important an asset to have the AHL not be an option if need be. If he keeps growing and improving once real games happen then yeah you keep him up.

He could be the best 10th best forward but would you want him on the 4th line as opposed to top minutes in the AHL?

Personally Yes, that is a debate we had and no stones have been left unturned.

You are making a valid point but its relative to the belief that the AHL makes young players better. So far, its not demonstrable.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Sigh...what I said twice before.

That there needs to be better communication on the ice between all 5 players.

But the ONE player who actually did what he was responsible for correctly, WAS Slafkovsky lol

That's the weird part to me - again, I think it's absolutely ridiculous that we're actually debating this ONE sequence but...

Anderson - what's he doing on the ice?

Gallagher - Bis

Mailloux - he's got the play in front of him, he's the defensman whose skating backwards and decides to VACATE THE MIDDLE OF THE ICE, to help support a backechking Slafkovsky who already has Marner accounted for.

Once more, this is a 5 man breakdown in communication - how some have you have decided to use this particular play to champion your cause of sending Slafkovsky down to the AHL is bewildering to be honest, when in reality, he's probably the one player on that sequence who has the least amount of blame.

It's all 5 guys fault, but Slafkovsky did nothing wrong.

Okay.

 

[waitin425]

Yes. And then we had a back and forth. Toxic.

Agree with the bolded.

 

[417]

It's all 5 guys fault, but Slafkovsky did nothing wrong.

Okay.

Read. Again.

This. Time. Slowly.

Unlike you, I have no horse in this race...no narrative to champion.

I said all 5 guys are at fault for the lack of communication, but the player with the LEAST amount of blame (LEAST = less blame than others, which doesn't absolve him from previously referenced lack of communication breakdown) is Slafkovsky.

 

[NotProkofievian]

Read. Again.

This time slowly.

Unlike you, I have no horse in this race...no narrative to champion.

I said all 5 guys are at fault for the lack of communication, but the player with the LEAST amount of blame (LEAST = less blame than others, which doesn't absolve him from previously referenced lack of communication breakdown) is Slafkovsky.

What should he have communicated?

 

[417]

What should he have communicated?

Who was responsible for whom on the ice.

At the end of the day though, the Dman who is backing up and has the whole ice to survey, should have NEVER, EVER vacated the middle of the ice. I mean Slafkovsky is already engaged with Marner from the offensive zone. He's got him. Mailloux's job 10 times out of 10 there is to protect the middle of the ice.

We can nitpick on what Anderson and/or Gallagher were doing...we can nitpick on Slafkovsky for not "backchecking hard", while simultaneously not rotating his head around 360 degrees to pick up Matthews.

But ultimately...Mailloux has the most blame for this one sequence.

Anything else? or is this charade done?

 

[dackelljuneaubulis02]

Personally Yes, that is a debate we had and no stones have been left unturned.

You are making a valid point but its relative to the belief that the AHL makes young players better. So far, its not demonstrable.

At the very least it has to be an option. There has to be fluidity there. How long should he be on the 4th line? How much progress would he have to show? If he's good enough to stay on the 4th line but doesn't show any growth there, how long would you allow that to go on for?

My point is that I think the AHL/NHL argument isn't the right argument to have necessarily. Management or even fans shouldn't be locked into one way or another. What you want to see is them accepting the dynamism of the situation as it continues. It shouldn't just be one league or another and that's that.

Management and again the fans should keep both options open as the season progresses. If management doesn't even see the AHL as a potential option at ANY point, that could be a problem.

 

[Captain Mountain]

The big mistake that Mailloux makes here is not directing traffic. He has the best view of what's happening, and the best dmen do it. The reason why this is in the Slaf thread is because there's no awareness on Slaf's part. Not the first time I've seen him chasing guys all over the ice. He's an enthusiastic player, and he wants to do the right thing. I think he thinks he's doing the right thing here by ''backchecking hard.''

That's a strangely toxic way of viewing the play, because Slaf is actually showing more awareness than you're giving him credit for.

Lets say Slaf sees Matthews streaking and pivots harder to protect the middle of the ice. He'd be leaving Mailloux to cover Marner, one of the shiftiest players in the league, one on one when Marner has momentum. He'd also not be able to generate the speed to keep up with Matthews going full speed. Yes, seeing Matthews and protecting the middle of the ice would have been better, but his positioning also forced Marner to make a play behind him which meant Matthews had to slow and pivot to receive the pass with his backhand. If literally any of the other 3 Habs were actually skating to keep up with or chase Matthews then they could have disrupted the pass.

Its just really weird to single out Slaf when his error was not doing the best thing to salvage the situation as opposed the guys that apparently forgot the best goal scorer on the NHL was on the ice. He could have done exactly what you wanted him to and it may still have lead to an embarrassing goal against.