Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[ReHabs]

Ryan Nugent Hopkins is a terrible hockey player with no IQ or playmaking ability.

Do you want proof?

There are FOUR players from his cohort who have scored more points than him!!! One was drafted 3rd and another one, unbelievably, at 7th. Oh my God. And then to show how crap RNH truly is, there is a second rounder leading all players and who has an Art Ross to his name, AND A 4th ROUNDER in second spot life to date.

Silly diversion. It has nothing to do with the argument. You cite Slafkovsky's age to excuse his production and then don't mention it at all in follow-ups where he looks behind others in his age cohort (and younger). Stick with the topic -> you're convinced he's been developed in an optimal manner, yet he's behind his age cohort. Other than "big boys take longer to develop" do you have any other theory why he's been so relatively underproductive?

I see not even Christmas stopped the usual whiner from posting almost a dozen times in Slaf threads. Really sad at this point.

Listen pal, I enjoy talking hockey and figuring out how players develop. I like exchanging ideas and think this is genuinely fun to follow. If you feel so strongly about this to the point of insulting me, I'd prefer if you used the ignore list and didn't refer to me at all.

"Struggling prospect who looks completely lost?"

If you are talking about Juraj Slafkovsky, then you are demonstrating why it seems people are ganging up on you, as one poster complained.

He looked completely lost last year and I'm not the only one who thinks so. Even the Habs organization alluded to his struggles last year. We have eyes, we saw a struggling prospect. If you think it's condescending of me to bring it up, I don't know what to tell you -- if we can't agree that Slafkovsky struggled last year then we shouldn't discuss Slafkovsky with each other because we can't agree on something I believe to be a basic, plain fact.

 

[Naslundforever]

I have no idea how tall slaf actually is tbh, I see 6’3 6’4 and people use them interchangeably all the time

6’3 230lbs on nhl

I just like his weight seems so much lower than last year. Much harder to knock over.

 

[Naslundforever]

Silly diversion. It has nothing to do with the argument. You cite Slafkovsky's age to excuse his production and then don't mention it at all in follow-ups where he looks behind others in his age cohort (and younger). Stick with the topic -> you're convinced he's been developed in an optimal manner, yet he's behind his age cohort. Other than "big boys take longer to develop" do you have any other theory why he's been so relatively underproductive?


Listen pal, I enjoy talking hockey and figuring out how players develop. I like exchanging ideas and think this is genuinely fun to follow. If you feel so strongly about this to the point of insulting me, I'd prefer if you used the ignore list and didn't refer to me at all.


He looked completely lost last year and I'm not the only one who thinks so. Even the Habs organization alluded to his struggles last year. We have eyes, we saw a struggling prospect. If you think it's condescending of me to bring it up, I don't know what to tell you -- if we can't agree that Slafkovsky struggled last year then we shouldn't discuss Slafkovsky with each other because we can't agree on something I believe to be a basic, plain fact.

He looked even more lost kicking off this year. That extra moment he seems to have gained by reading the play ahead of time recently instead of strictly reacting is really noticeable, let’s hope he keeps it up.

 

[nhlfan9191]

6’3 230lbs on nhl

I just like his weight seems so much lower than last year. Much harder to knock over.

He’s harder to knock over because his head isn’t always down like last year. It’s pretty clear they worked on his awareness as he would’ve had a quick career if that wasn’t fixed.

 

[Milhouse40]

So you agree he is not meant to be compared to other 1OAs of other drafts, but you also think the Habs did everything right last year by rushing him to the NHL like other 1OAs of other drafts?

Never said Habs did everything right.......but ''rushing'' him to the NHL is only a problem if it hurt his development and if we look at his progression between game 1 and game 72.......the progression is there.

And that's the reason other 1st overall pick usually start on the top6 right away and Slafkovsky did not.

 

[BaseballCoach]

He looked even more lost kicking off this year. That extra moment he seems to have gained by reading the play ahead of time recently instead of strictly reacting is really noticeable, let’s hope he keeps it up.

No he did not look 'even more lost'. He got a first audition with Suzuki and Caufield in early November because he was better already.

 

[Naslundforever]

No he did not look 'even more lost'. He got a first audition wikth Suzuki and Caufield in early November because he was better already.

I remember a stretch of games where for the first time I myself felt even the ahl would be above his head. Complete deer in the headlights… The turnaround is spectacular imo.

 

[An0n]

The ganging up on ReHabs is cringe.

You reap what you sow.

 

[Skip Bayless]

Slaf should've gone to the WJC

 

[Deebs]

Slaf should've gone to the WJC

I agree. I think he would've enjoyed watching his boy Messi play.

 

[Kennerback]

6’3 230lbs on nhl

I just like his weight seems so much lower than last year. Much harder to knock over.

I’m suspicious about that 230. He had an official weigh in of 238, 2 years and 4 months ago @ 17 years old by his team in Ligaa. Between 17 and 19 you grow in muscle mass and bone mass. That he‘s lost so much weight is hard to believe.

 

[417]

Id like to see what anybody in here would do as a 18/19 year old. Them take into account leaving home and going to a completely different part of the world

Yet somehow people are ganging up on him lol

 

[417]

Never said Habs did everything right.......but ''rushing'' him to the NHL is only a problem if it hurt his development and if we look at his progression between game 1 and game 72.......the progression is there.

And that's the reason other 1st overall pick usually start on the top6 right away and Slafkovsky did not.

If anything, they’ve accelerated it.

Slaf should've gone to the WJC

Yes I'm sure being at the WJC is way more important for him than finally solidifying himself in the Habs top 6, producing points, etc

I agree. I think he would've enjoyed watching his boy Messi play.

He is

Just like us.

From his couch

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Nice call @Hannibal and @Lafleurs Guy , miss you guys happy holidays.

- Avim86 from HFHabs PS4 GMconnected / EASHL (and for some time on HF ).

Merriest of seasons to you my friend!

 

[Rapala]

@ReHabs

I like some of what you post and dislike some of what you post but I LOVE that Avvy.

 

[FLHabs]

Sometimes I ask myself if some of the fans in here are really fans... How can you watch Slaf play these past few weeks and be nothing short of excited of what could be possible in his future.

 

[Naslundforever]

I’m suspicious about that 230. He had an official weigh in of 238, 2 years and 4 months ago @ 17 years old by his team in Ligaa. Between 17 and 19 you grow in muscle mass and bone mass. That he‘s lost so much weight is hard to believe.

He has said he hit his size early… 10 lbs is Less of a % at that size than our little Lane prospect for sure. Or maybe he has a funky birth certificate (although those braces and giggles last year made it look legit… or is it all an act???).

I shat like 4 lbs just this morning.

Edit I count 8 of 238 as 3.3% fat loss with no muscle gain?

 

[Zilo44]

Sometimes I ask myself if some of the fans in here are really fans... How can you watch Slaf play these past few weeks and be nothing short of excited of what could be possible in his future.

4 letters : P-T-S-D

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I’m suspicious about that 230. He had an official weigh in of 238, 2 years and 4 months ago @ 17 years old by his team in Ligaa. Between 17 and 19 you grow in muscle mass and bone mass. That he‘s lost so much weight is hard to believe.

He doesn’t look bulky. At 240 I’d expect him to look like a linebacker.

 

[Zilo44]

He doesn’t look bulky. At 240 I’d expect him to look like a linebacker.

Without necessarily being muscular he seems to have a big frame. Look at his shoulders width and jaw for a 19 year old kid

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Without necessarily being muscular he seems to have a big frame. Look at his shoulders width and jaw for a 19 year old kid

Yeah but 240 is a big number. Stephane Richer was a big dude and he topped out around 220.

 

[Essenege]

3 goals 14 assists 17 points, - 12 in 33 games

3 goals 9 assists 12 points, - 3 in 33 games

One of them is the superstar we should've drafted (say the same people who would've apparently drafted Wright anyways) and the other is the guy we drafted.

Even if we were just stat watching... it ain't a big difference

Yes, and the first one is 40% in 5v5 advanced stats (corsi, expected goals), while the other one is 50%, and around 60% since joining Suzuki and Caufield.

I haven’t watched Cooley a lot, but 40% share of scoring chances means you spend a lot of time in your zone and/or create nothing in the ozone. 60% is a dominant.

 

[ReHabs]

Never said Habs did everything right.......but ''rushing'' him to the NHL is only a problem if it hurt his development and if we look at his progression between game 1 and game 72.......the progression is there.

Are you satisfied with his progression? That’s perfect, good and all. I would never doubt you if you said you’re satisfied.

I am not. I am truly not. I am convinced he would’ve been better off in the short term and long term, and the team would’ve been better off too, if he wasn’t rushed. But I haven’t argued about this ever since it was confirmed Slaf was gonna stay in the NHL.

I accept it. There is no argument left, is there? You can’t litigate someone’s feeling or impressions of a player. You might think Slafkovsky is the bee’s knees, but really, do you mind that I am not enamoured with him yet? We have different tastes and expectations.

And that's the reason other 1st overall pick usually start on the top6 right away and Slafkovsky did not.

He wasn’t capable of keeping up in the NHL, which perfectly explains why he couldn’t accomplish anything good last year.

Only a handful of commentators would deny that Slafkovsky struggled to perform last year… I try to find common ground with people before arguing about differences but I can’t find common ground with people who said Slafkovsky did well in the NHL last year.

Earlier, you mentioned I’ve been tilted against Hughes since the 2023 Draft. Not true, it’s since they kept Slafkvosky in the NHL. I didn’t trust their vision or their standards. I still don’t. The results aren’t there, so it isn’t like I’m making things up — let them earn some respect by making good moves that improve the team. Maybe Slafkovsky will be one of these good moves — I’d be a true believer then.

 

[Gally11]

Sometimes I ask myself if some of the fans in here are really fans... How can you watch Slaf play these past few weeks and be nothing short of excited of what could be possible in his future.

I think some people enjoy the pessimistic view so they won’t be let down lol. Back in November I wrote a post about Slaf really improving along the boards and I could see the points starting to come from that improvement and someone told me that’s like trying to complement someone’s insufferable ugly gf?

 

[waitin425]

Are you satisfied with his progression? That’s perfect, good and all. I would never doubt you if you said you’re satisfied.

I am not. I am truly not. I am convinced he would’ve been better off in the short term and long term, and the team would’ve been better off too, if he wasn’t rushed. But I haven’t argued about this ever since it was confirmed Slaf was gonna stay in the NHL.

I accept it. There is no argument left, is there? You can’t litigate someone’s feeling or impressions of a player. You might think Slafkovsky is the bee’s knees, but really, do you mind that I am not enamoured with him yet? We have different tastes and expectations.


He wasn’t capable of keeping up in the NHL, which perfectly explains why he couldn’t accomplish anything good last year.

Only a handful of commentators would deny that Slafkovsky struggled to perform last year… I try to find common ground with people before arguing about differences but I can’t find common ground with people who said Slafkovsky did well in the NHL last year.

Earlier, you mentioned I’ve been tilted against Hughes since the 2023 Draft. Not true, it’s since they kept Slafkvosky in the NHL. I didn’t trust their vision or their standards. I still don’t. The results aren’t there, so it isn’t like I’m making things up — let them earn some respect by making good moves that improve the team. Maybe Slafkovsky will be one of these good moves — I’d be a true believer then.

Honest question...by what measurable will you declare Slaf a good move and thus become a true believer?

Are your measurable points, eye test, comparable to other 1st overalls, comparable to his draft class.

For me, by the end of 2025 I expect him to be the best player from his draft class. Combination of points, advanced stats and eye test. If he's not there at that time, and depending on the gap between him and others, I will firmly declare for or against. As of now.....as you know....I am for this player and for this draft pick. All signs point to yes. We shall see.

So please....let us all know what your standards are that Slaf has to meet.