Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Pompeius Magnus]

His backchecking is quite good. He doesn’t overcommit and chase the puck like a lot of young players (ie Kotkaniemi back in the day). It’s obvious that he’s very coachable. That’s definitely one of the things that can only be uncovered through interviews before the draft. It’s likely a big reason why they took him ahead of Wright who always seemed a bit entitled.

It might have been THE reason ultimately, there wasn't a big gap in talent in the top 5 but they felt he had the best ''intangibles'' , including coachability. That was the difference maker.

 

[Skala24]

Slaf scores sloppy goal + sloppy assist but effort counts! and dude nice perform in a tough game

 

[Mrb1p]

Lmao I was excited to see he scored two points as I didn't see the game and he scored the two most Danault points of lal time. He did seem to have a good game regardless.

 

[admiralcadillac]

Slaf has 1pt in his last how many games. Use the same standard for all.

The Habs needed a PMD/D1 as much as they needed a W. If Wright was a DND (not convinced) and Cooley is “uninspiring” (not sure why) there was Jiricek who was off the charts productive for his age and Nemec who has basically no flaws. Both have a higher PPG in the NHL as rookies (“adapting to NA Ice”) than super stud Slafkovsky the long term project.


But there is no point relitigating this issue right now. By the end of season we’ll see if Slaf caught up to his hype or not. If yes, sweet.

Lets use the same standard and forget the league they’re playing in.

Please take a month break.

 

[Balthazar]

Lmao I was excited to see he scored two points as I didn't see the game and he scored the two most Danault points of lal time. He did seem to have a good game regardless.

I remember when he got drafted people here were really mad because pretty much all of his goals/assists in other leagues that could be seen on video weren't the result of "skill plays".

Sounds like it won't change in the NHL. He's going to get important points, just not "pretty" goals and assists.

 

[Andy]

Like I said a couple of pages ago, after all the beautiful set ups he’s been doing the last 10 games, I find it funny that he got points on nothing plays.

 

[Adam Michaels]

8 pts in his last 17 games, which puts him at a pace to score 32 pts in 67 games since he started producing a little more often.

 

[Tyson]

8 pts in his last 17 games, which puts him at a pace to score 32 pts in 67 games since he started producing a little more often.

Yep Jack Hughes had 21 points during his first season, same with Lafrenierre. I know this is his 2nd season but he has played less than one season of games.
Great strides are being made and should be celebrated

 

[CHwest]

Starting to play a big mans game, puck protection, puck retrieval and front presence. Looks much better.

 

[waitin425]

That goal last night was a big body doing big body things. He is going to score many more goals right in that spot.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

He had a few great puck protection sequences last night

 

[Miller Time]

It might have been THE reason ultimately, there wasn't a big gap in talent in the top 5 but they felt he had the best ''intangibles'' , including coachability. That was the difference maker.

Yup ... Great job by the scouting department and management group

 

[417]

Biggest improvement I've seen from him is that last year, the play often died on his stick. He just couldn't figure out how to absorb contact and play through it.

Now he's more often than not winning those battles and it's leading to increased puck possession for his linemates who needed that type of player.

Before last night it hadn't translated into actual production, so happy to see him get rewarded with some good fortune. Quite a few times the last dozen games or so he finished the game without any points but deserved to get a few.

He's stacked a good amount of games like this together now. Long may this continue.

 

[waitin425]

The funny thing about last night with him "producing points" is that those stat watchers who repeatedly point to point production as the reason he is not living up to standards, would think that was one of his best games. Last night is a classic example of why points don't necessarily mean everything. Not saying he didn't play well, just point out that some points actually mean jack shit relative to a players skill and effect on a game.

 

[Lshap]

It might have been THE reason ultimately, there wasn't a big gap in talent in the top 5 but they felt he had the best ''intangibles'' , including coachability. That was the difference maker.

Makes sense; I really hope you're right. I'm still having a hard time believing our scouts and coaches had a master plan that's actually working...

 

[Andy]

The funny thing about last night with him "producing points" is that those stat watchers who repeatedly point to point production as the reason he is not living up to standards, would think that was one of his best games. Last night is a classic example of why points don't necessarily mean everything. Not saying he didn't play well, just point out that some points actually mean jack shit relative to a players skill and effect on a game.

What's positive is that it is often the case that good players pick up points in this way. They don't always get apples by making the fanciest plays. Because their talent allows them to be constantly involved in the play and making puck touches, they rack up points off of cycles, deflections, and rebounds.

It's all very positive. I'm bullish on his potential.

 

[waitin425]

What's positive is often the case that good players pick up points in this way. They don't always get apples by making the fanciest plays. Because their talent allows them to be constantly involved in the play and making puck touches, they rack up points off of cycles, deflections, and rebounds.

It's all very positive. I'm bullish on his potential.

Agreed! I posted a few posts up that this will be the style of many of his goals. He will produce in this way for sure, it's just not the be all and end all for him skill and talent wise. I am bullish as well!

 

[Naslundforever]

Makes sense; I really hope you're right. I'm still having a hard time believing our scouts and coaches had a master plan that's actually working...

The back story I remember is how he progressed fast and stepped up the most at every challenge, on the biggest stages hearing interviews with guys like Ramsay and hab management.

I don’t expect the same progression curve as over the last month but things sure are looking up.

 

[Deebs]

Slaf has really been playing well over the past 2-3-4 weeks, a giant step up from where he started the season. He obviously has a connection with Nick and Cole so keep riding that train until it comes off the rails. Has the makings of a real good top line.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

 

[Kennerback]

Like I said a couple of pages ago, after all the beautiful set ups he’s been doing the last 10 games, I find it funny that he got points on nothing plays.

Just putting the puck on net is more effective than all his beautiful set ups.

 

[Habricot]

Just went through the last 10 pages of this thread. Its quite depressing to see fans being the low on our own prospects. Ok the kid just has 20pts in 70 games played. 55 of these games where he was touching the puck few times a game and the play would just die on his stick.
Nothing was indicating a quick adjustment in the NHL! He is a big body with kid strength. He needed to adjust form playing a not so agressive game on bigger ice surface to an agressive one on a smaller surface. A much busier schedule in NHL. Ideally this year he would have played with Dach another big body and have a bit less physical responsabilities but... we all know what happened. So he is now stuck on the first line and to be honest, i do not remember a kid his age in mtl having this type of impact on the first line. Had CC converted some of the prime chances Slaf presented him he would easily have 10 more assists.
So bottom line is chill out guys, its coming along nicely. We have no clue what type of impact he will have long term, I see a bit of Marian Hossa in his game with the puck retreiving skills of well.. i cant think of a yong guy that was that good along the boards to retreive pucks and make a play from it. So where will it lead Slaf... not sure but its a nice place.

 

[Junohockeyfan]

Big change from last season is added strength and much better balance. Also, he has much better awareness - he's not getting levelled anymore. I believe those were the only things he focused on in the offseason. That bodes well. He is supremely coachable.

Next steps are to improve his shot and to be more assertive by driving to the net with / without the puck.

He's a project that is progressing slowly and deliberately as a project should. The finished product is kind of exciting to thinkg about.

 

[Adam Michaels]

Tonight, he has the chance to show Bedard who the real 1st Overall pick is.

 

[Jaaanosik]

What's positive is that it is often the case that good players pick up points in this way. They don't always get apples by making the fanciest plays. Because their talent allows them to be constantly involved in the play and making puck touches, they rack up points off of cycles, deflections, and rebounds.

It's all very positive. I'm bullish on his potential.

It's a 'fight' against those 'bearish' guys.

If he works hard on his shot and hitting the net with it, we're going to have a monster on our hands.

Slaf improved in other areas, what is a chance once his focus is on shooting he will not improve?
Zero!!