Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Jaaanosik]

I agree. I think Suzuki's first few strides may be quicker. But I'd give the edge to Slaf in top end speed.

Suzuki is lighter, easier to get going, but after a few meters,...

 

[Kennerback]

I am not sure about this.

I’m not sure either. Ds often misjudge the speed at which he can get to them on the forecheck and end up bungling the puck.

 

[417]

ThE NhL iS nOt a DeVeLoPmEnTaL lEaGuE.... - quote by people

 

[Habs10Habs]

ThE NhL iS nOt a DeVeLoPmEnTaL lEaGuE.... - quote by people

I think it depends on the situation the team is in. If they're competitive, probably not. But if they're slowly rebuilding, it's definitely possible.

 

[Habricot]

He needs to work on converting his passes to assists, but save for that, he’s a technically gifted passer anywhere else on the ice. For example, a lot of assists are shots to get a rebound. He also needs to add trying to surprise the goalie when hitting a player with a pass. But the actual technical execution of his passes is top-notch.

Its going to come.. he made a big step foward in the past 2 months.. it will plateau for a while and then you will see more step foward... and its perfectly fine!

 

[Kennerback]

I think it depends on the situation the team is in. If they're competitive, probably not. But if they're slowly rebuilding, it's definitely possible.

Most players need more a clinical approach to development. Putting them in the right league at the right time. But IMO when you have a special player that’s good and teachable enough which Slaf seems to be, he succeeds wherever you put him.

 

[417]

I think it depends on the situation the team is in. If they're competitive, probably not. But if they're slowly rebuilding, it's definitely possible.

100% agreed but if we take the example for the Habs, over the last 2 years they've integrated several players this way.

We're really in Slafkovsky's infancy as far as development goes and I expect more ups and downs as we go along, that is normal. Look at Kaiden Guhle, he's going through that right now...same with Barron or Xhekaj. It's normal for players to go through this.

We as fans just apply a different level of expectation based on where a player is drafted. Slafkovsky was a 1st overall pick, so we convince ourselves that unless he's productive immediately, he has no business being in the NHL.

But Slafkovsky is developing at HIS pace, not previous 1st overall picks and everything's he's gone through so far in the NHL has led to the current stretch he's on, even the bad games where he looked absolutely lost and so far from a typical 1st overall pick...those are part of the process.

Hoping for health and continued success with the top line.

 

[Habs10Habs]

Most players need more a clinical approach to development. Putting them in the right league at the right time. But IMO when you have a special player that’s good and teachable enough which Slaf seems to be, he succeeds wherever you put him.

True, I was just pointing out that different players and different teams require different methods. For Slaf, being up with the Habs allowed him to receive a lot more 1 on 1 teaching. Something that might not have happened if he was sent to Laval. Where there are so many kids down there already, who need help.

 

[Habs10Habs]

100% agreed but if we take the example for the Habs, over the last 2 years they've integrated several players this way.

We're really in Slafkovsky's infancy as far as development goes and I expect more ups and downs as we go along, that is normal. Look at Kaiden Guhle, he's going through that right now...same with Barron or Xhekaj. It's normal for players to go through this.

We as fans just apply a different level of expectation based on where a player is drafted. Slafkovsky was a 1st overall pick, so we convince ourselves that unless he's productive immediately, he has no business being in the NHL.

But Slafkovsky is developing at HIS pace, not previous 1st overall picks and everything's he's gone through so far in the NHL has led to the current stretch he's on, even the bad games where he looked absolutely lost and so far from a typical 1st overall pick...those are part of the process.

Hoping for health and continued success with the top line.

I know I'm guilty of this myself. It's hard not too, when a player is drafted so high. Though if you look back, with that way of thinking. Two of our histories greatest players (M.Richard and Lafleur), would have been ripped apart by our current fan base.

For me personally, I"m trying to be more patient. I'm now paying less attention to the box scores. While using my own eyes to see for myself, the changes in a players development.

 

[Riggins]

Great to see how he's turned it around. It's amazing how different he looks out there. Aggressive on the forecheck, winning board battles, using his size and making plays. This is a complete 180 from earlier in the year. There were games he looked like one of the worst Habs I'd ever seen, just completely lost and a turnover machine. We've got a player on our hands here, now let's go find some more.

 

[Habricot]

I have a feeling they would benefit from moving Caufield to another line though. Perhaps when and if one of Newhook or RHP is coming back. And yes i do agree with another poster tha Dach, Slaf and Caufield would be nice to see next year!

 

[Kennerback]

I know I'm guilty of this myself. It's hard not too, when a player is drafted so high. Though if you look back, with that way of thinking. Two of our histories greatest players (M.Richard and Lafleur), would have been ripped apart by our current fan base.

For me personally, I"m trying to be more patient. I'm now paying less attention to the box scores. While using my own eyes to see for myself, the changes in a players development.

You need a special personality to progress and succeed with the pressure he’s under in Montreal. This thread is a microcosm of reality with its bevy of clowns (in which I include myself) criticizing his every move,

 

[Habs10Habs]

I have a feeling they would benefit from moving Caufield to another line though. Perhaps when and if one of Newhook or RHP is coming back. And yes i do agree with another poster tha Dach, Slaf and Caufield would be nice to see next year!

I'll agree with the first part. Moving Caufield might be helpful, since I think everyone and their brother knows that Suzuki and Slaf are trying to set him up. I had mentioned earlier that I liked the idea of Dach with Slaf, as I think they'd be good together. Though it's hard to argue that Suzuki and Slaf don't have pretty good chemistry together.

 

[417]

I know I'm guilty of this myself. It's hard not too, when a player is drafted so high. Though if you look back, with that way of thinking. Two of our histories greatest players (M.Richard and Lafleur), would have been ripped apart by our current fan base.

Was talking to my dad about this the other day, he immigrated to Canada right before Lafleur made his debut with the Habs and he's always telling me how he wonders how different it would have been for Lafleur had social media been in it's present form back then.

He suggests he might not have lasted as a Montreal Canadiens player as long as he did.

For me personally, I"m trying to be more patient. I'm now paying less attention to the box scores. While using my own eyes to see for myself, the changes in a players development.

I think it's normal to have high expectations for a guy you draft 1st overall, but expectations and development are separate. One doesn't have to do with the other. If it takes Slafkovsky 150-200 NHL games to fulfill his real potential, that's just what it's going to be and actually, that's quite normal.

 

[The Gr8 Dane]

Theres no way we have a nice thing.......this must be a mistake , I'm still skeptical

 

[Habs10Habs]

Was talking to my dad about this the other day, he immigrated to Canada right before Lafleur made his debut with the Habs and he's always telling me how he wonders how different it would have been for Lafleur had social media been in it's present form back then.

He suggests he might not have lasted as a Montreal Canadiens player as long as he did.

Oh gawd, as much as I loved Lafleur. There's no way in hell he would have stayed on the team for as long as he did. Not that he was a bad person, but the local media covered up for him a lot. If half the things he did came out, just wow. lol

 

[Kennerback]

Was talking to my dad about this the other day, he immigrated to Canada right before Lafleur made his debut with the Habs and he's always telling me how he wonders how different it would have been for Lafleur had social media been in it's present form back then.

He suggests he might not have lasted as a Montreal Canadiens player as long as he did.

I think it's normal to have high expectations for a guy you draft 1st overall, but expectations and development are separate. One doesn't have to do with the other. If it takes Slafkovsky 150-200 NHL games to fulfill his real potential, that's just what it's going to be and actually, that's quite normal.

It would have been hell for anyone we drafted in 2022 because EVERYONE is developing at a snail’s pace.

 

[Habs10Habs]

I think it's normal to have high expectations for a guy you draft 1st overall, but expectations and development are separate. One doesn't have to do with the other. If it takes Slafkovsky 150-200 NHL games to fulfill his real potential, that's just what it's going to be and actually, that's quite normal.

Agreed, though it is tough sometimes to separate the two. My generation is a little more patient (not always lol). With the younger generation, they expect results yesterday. That's usually what I use to judge a player as well. Though expectations for a 1st overall I may hope to see results before that time frame.

 

[Rapala]

Went to bed early before the 5-goals and missed the Slafkovsky parade. Nice surprise to wake up to! It's not a coincidence Suzuki is heating up at the same time Slafkovsky's getting stronger.

Before the season, I was hoping for 30-points in Slaf's first full year. After his slow start, I lowered my expectations to 10 points by the end of 2023. He's at 12 and counting. Since November he's been at a .5 PPG pace and is absorbing the game like a sponge. He's back on pace for that 30-point season and might even surpass it.

The kid is still a mystery box, but I'm feeling a lot better about him becoming part of our future core.

I like the fact that he's doing good things at both ends of the rink. When our D shovels weak passes along those right boards I'm more confident he can move the puck out of the zone than I am say with Josh Anderson. He's still a project but he's showing purpose and he's paired with the player best suited to help his game.

 

[Saundies]

100% agreed but if we take the example for the Habs, over the last 2 years they've integrated several players this way.

We're really in Slafkovsky's infancy as far as development goes and I expect more ups and downs as we go along, that is normal. Look at Kaiden Guhle, he's going through that right now...same with Barron or Xhekaj. It's normal for players to go through this.

We as fans just apply a different level of expectation based on where a player is drafted. Slafkovsky was a 1st overall pick, so we convince ourselves that unless he's productive immediately, he has no business being in the NHL.

It's funny; I've seen a lot more of this sentiment on Twitter from fans of other teams rather than Habs fans. Obviously, on here, we have dedicated threads on players and scrutinize them closely but there was a lot of noise the past couple of weeks, especially when he was playing well but not getting any points. A lot of "biggest bust of all time" tweets and clowning on our reporters when they would post a play that didn't lead to a goal.

But Slafkovsky is developing at HIS pace, not previous 1st overall picks and everything's he's gone through so far in the NHL has led to the current stretch he's on, even the bad games where he looked absolutely lost and so far from a typical 1st overall pick...those are part of the process.

Hoping for health and continued success with the top line.

Agreed. It's been refreshing to see, honestly. Some guys you almost have to convince yourself that they're getting better and more adjusted, but not Slaf. The proof has been in the pudding. He's been miles better than he was at any point last year and the beginning of this year.

 

[SlafySZN]

Delete

 

[Kennerback]

Oh gawd, as much as I loved Lafleur. There's no way in hell he would have stayed on the team for as long as he did. Not that he was a bad person, but the local media covered up for him a lot. If half the things he did came out, just wow. lol

I hope the Habs org really crack down on what the young guys are doing at night. There were no cameras when Lafleur was f***ing up. Nor for Corson, Kordic, Svoboda, Chelios, and so on and so forth…

 

[Rapala]

I'll agree with the first part. Moving Caufield might be helpful, since I think everyone and their brother knows that Suzuki and Slaf are trying to set him up. I had mentioned earlier that I liked the idea of Dach with Slaf, as I think they'd be good together. Though it's hard to argue that Suzuki and Slaf don't have pretty good chemistry together.

For me it goes beyond good chemistry. Slaf is currently progressing in the role we drafted him for. I get the knee jerk reaction where people believe Dach is our best center and want to give him all the shiny new toys. The truth is he is not our number one center nor is he our best player at this time. I doubt very much Slaf gets moved off Suzuki's wing. His game took off when he was put on Suzuki's right wing.
When Dach can assume number one status sure he'll naturally get Slaf who was always slated to play on the top line.

 

[Skip Bayless]

It's strange to see a player that looked lost and uncoordinated turning into a player that wants to be the man on every shift. Not to be a conspiracy theorist but things started turning around after he "hung out" with a friend in Montreal.

View attachment 789197

This is 100% fact.


This is how that meeting went :

"Slaf you don't play like Olympics, you play scared. Like a little girl. When we eat dinner in Slovakia, all the time we talk about you. Talk shit about you "Slaf is not the same, Slaf lost his power blah blah blah" The president sent me here to stop you. Stop shaming Slovakia Slaf, stop being Bambi.

Ok bye Slaf."

 

[Kennerback]

Slaf year 1