Juraj Slafkovsky - Year Two

[Jaaanosik]

If only everyone had the insight of Jaaanosik, am I right?

You have no idea...

The extrapolation of who Slaf can (will) be based on the 'famous' Liiga points stats is the heavy anchor that drags this board down.

 

[le_sean]

They are not competing; I'm unsure where you find that stuff sometimes.

Tell me exactly why you have to have a centre in 3 on 3 OT. Win the faceoff and get off the ice. But two wingers can easily play. You’re not icing the puck in that situation. Yet one provides zero offence, has no future with the team and has 3x more TOI. So yeah, they are competing.

 

[Jaaanosik]

Because they know he doesn’t shoot.

I see a reversal ... six shots today

 

[Frank Drebin]

That's up for debate. I always thought those were broad, and not wholly accurate statements. I always said he had his ups and downs, but the signs of what to come were clearly there right from the start. So sure, in those terms, he looked awful AT TIMES. But also showed what his game would end up being. That is par for the course for a then 18 and now 19 year old. I think people just plain overreacted. Imagine that, Hab fans overreacting. But I do agree with the gist of what you said, for sure.

I just couldn't imagine that kid that was getting rocked every half dozen games turning things around so quickly.

I genuinely thought he was too dumb to not get hit. I didn't think he was ever going to be a legitimate NHL player. And I went on the record saying these things. And I also said I'd be happy to be proven wrong. And here I am with a big smile on my face.

 

[admiralcadillac]

This board has attacked players with mental health issues. Some of them are same ones that attack posters for having a different opinion.

I’m not surprised by anything here.

Not sure if you're referring to my previous comments but just because I said Drouin sucked as a player here doesn't mean I attacked him.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I see a reversal ... six shots today

Really? That’s outstanding.

 

[admiralcadillac]

I just couldn't imagine that kid that was getting rocked every half dozen games turning things around so quickly.

I genuinely thought he was too dumb to not get hit. I didn't think he was ever going to be a legitimate NHL player. And I went on the record saying these things. And I also said I'd be happy to be proven wrong. And here I am with a big smile on my face.

I mean you were kind of destined to be proven wrong if your opinion was that he would not be an nhl player - that seems like a weird jump to have so early.

By the way Bedard got his jaw broken on a similar hit to the one that took Slaf out. The NHL is now becoming kind of predatory to rookies because there doesn't seem to be the same consequences there were. You would get your ankle broken or worse in the 80s. I'm not saying that's better but...

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

Slaf has officially played 82 games.

I believe I originally had said I’d be pretty happy if he got 30 points in his first season. He winds up with 9 goals and 26 points.

No bad at all.

Incidentally he has 4 goals and 14 points in his last 28 games so - unsurprisingly- he’s trending upwards.

 

[Lafleurs Guy]

I just couldn't imagine that kid that was getting rocked every half dozen games turning things around so quickly.

I genuinely thought he was too dumb to not get hit. I didn't think he was ever going to be a legitimate NHL player. And I went on the record saying these things. And I also said I'd be happy to be proven wrong. And here I am with a big smile on my face.

You’re not wrong. Him getting clobbered was a very real concern. They’ve done a great job fixing that problem and it also demonstrates a willingness to learn on the part of Slaf. He seems to be very coachable.

 

[JoelWarlord]

I'm not going to retroactively say he was good for the first 50ish games but I think it's false to say there were no signs. This kind of player is what they saw in his draft year to pick him at #1, but we got anxious because it was under the playoff, Olympic, and World Championship statline and not the regular season totals. There were flashes even last year of everything we're seeing now, and he was a lost puppy as a rookie with tons of obvious but simple to fix technical flaws weighing him down.

These things all feel a lot less crazy in hindsight when we think about him as "30P in 50 competitive games from Feb to May in his draft year and adjusting as a big man in the NHL" instead of as the guy who had 10 points in Liiga and looked bad as a rookie and thus needed to be some super unicorn to turn things around. It wasn't magic, players can still learn while they're struggling and not all struggles at 18 project future problems.

 

[BehindTheTimes]

Not sure if you're referring to my previous comments but just because I said Drouin sucked as a player here doesn't mean I attacked him.

I was not referring to you, but let’s not pretend that the fans who agreed with Slaf’s development don’t attack players.

Anyways, it’s all good. I don’t want to dwell on this anymore. Let’s all get along. We can disagree without getting personal imo.

 

[LesCanadiens]

I just couldn't imagine that kid that was getting rocked every half dozen games turning things around so quickly.

I genuinely thought he was too dumb to not get hit. I didn't think he was ever going to be a legitimate NHL player. And I went on the record saying these things. And I also said I'd be happy to be proven wrong. And here I am with a big smile on my face.

Class post all the way. Awesome. I hope Lane Hutson proves me wrong just as much as I'm pretty bullish on him as an NHL defenseman. Fun to watch Slaf come into his own...we've been dreaming about this kind of player for way to long.

 

[LesCanadiens]

I’m not really regretting anything I said. I’m happy he turned it around. But there was a pretty lengthy stretch where he was abysmal. I have no problem with posters who remained positive but when they start pretending they were seeing something that others weren’t, then start trying to weaponize that in arguments, it’s hard not to take a shot back.

Here you go. History rewritten. And I was only saying things I saw honestly. And here's proof. It's not my issue if you or others didn't see the same, steady progress I and others saw this kid was making. TBH, I was shocked reading posts that couldn't see what this kid was becoming. It was obvious to me and sometimes it felt like the Twilight Zone to read "no skills, can't skate, no IQ, lost on the ice, dumb, bambi part 2 etc, etc, etc...".

Now keep in mind I went on self imposed exile for years from all hockey boards, so there is nothing from last year. But I saw the same talent in this kid, and that he just needed time to sync with the NHL pace. And I chose to cut off at mid Nov so you wouldn't find any excuse to say that I was cherry picking. BTW, you happen make quite a "splash" in a couple of these posts, hahaha.

Enjoy.

 

[LesCanadiens]

This board has attacked players with mental health issues. Some of them are same ones that attack posters for having a different opinion.

I’m not surprised by anything here.

You're likely referring to me because I called Drouin heartless on the main boards today, right? What's the issue with some of you guys not being straightforward? Very strange.

Drouin had a million chances to sort out his issues. Was given tons of support by the team AND the fans. So he goes to Colorado and suddenly, by magic, his mental health is fine? Well maybe if the issues were real, and that's a legit if. Then he should've done the honorable thing and stepped away from the game to work on himself. Instead he had no problem collecting his paycheck to sit, or when playing, play like crap and dish out more turnovers than a bakery. But why post about Drouin to throw a dig at posters in the Slaf thread?

 

[BehindTheTimes]

You're likely referring to me because I called Drouin heartless on the main boards today, right? What's the issue with some of you guys not being straightforward? Very strange.

Drouin had a million chances to sort out his issues. Was given tons of support by the team AND the fans. So he goes to Colorado and suddenly, by magic, his mental health is fine? Well maybe if the issues were real, and that's a legit if. Then he should've done the honorable thing and stepped away from the game to work on himself. Instead he had no problem collecting his paycheck to sit, or when playing, play like crap and dish out more turnovers than a bakery. But why post about Drouin to throw a dig at posters in the Slaf thread?

Dude, I think your paranoia might be getting to you. I have no idea what you posted on the “main board”. Until you started talking to me today I didn’t even know you were a poster here. I’m not following you around on the “main board” lol. Get over yourself.

Drouin did step away from the team and he was attacked for that too, nothing he could do that would satisfied the angry mob. Fans even threatened his family, they need more help than Drouin imo.

 

[Non Player Canadiens]

Here you go. History rewritten. And I was only saying things I saw honestly. And here's proof. It's not my issue if you or others didn't see the same, steady progress I and others saw this kid was making. TBH, I was shocked reading posts that couldn't see what this kid was becoming. It was obvious to me and sometimes it felt like the Twilight Zone to read "no skills, can't skate, no IQ, lost on the ice, dumb, bambi part 2 etc, etc, etc...".

Now keep in mind I went on self imposed exile for years from all hockey boards, so there is nothing from last year. But I saw the same talent in this kid, and that he just needed time to sync with the NHL pace. And I chose to cut off at mid Nov so you wouldn't find any excuse to say that I was cherry picking. BTW, you happen make quite a "splash" in a couple of these posts, hahaha.

Enjoy.

this man saved the receipts

 

[LesCanadiens]

Dude, I think your paranoia might be getting to you. I have no idea what you posted on the “main board”. Until you started talking to me today I didn’t even know you were a poster here. I’m not following you around on the “main board” lol. Get over yourself.

Drouin did step away from the team and he was attacked for that too, nothing he could do that would satisfy the angry mob. Fans even threatened his family, they need more help than Drouin.

Fair enough. The latter part of my post still stands. Attacking posters who attacked Drouin in a Slafkovsky thread, well, seems like somethings a little off kilter there, "dude".

 

[nhlfan9191]

You're passive-aggressively referring to me. Calling me a liar. I'll humor myself and post screenshots of me saying I was seeing this...as were some others...so not singling myself out only. Tough to debate with someone who's not being honest. And in this convo, that is you, not me. Once I do that, I'll be done with you on this board. Not worth my energy or time. I love debate, I despise dishonest debate.

Here you go. History rewritten. And I was only saying things I saw honestly. And here's proof. It's not my issue if you or others didn't see the same, steady progress I and others saw this kid was making. TBH, I was shocked reading posts that couldn't see what this kid was becoming. It was obvious to me and sometimes it felt like the Twilight Zone to read "no skills, can't skate, no IQ, lost on the ice, dumb, bambi part 2 etc, etc, etc...".

Now keep in mind I went on self imposed exile for years from all hockey boards, so there is nothing from last year. But I saw the same talent in this kid, and that he just needed time to sync with the NHL pace. And I chose to cut off at mid Nov so you wouldn't find any excuse to say that I was cherry picking. BTW, you happen make quite a "splash" in a couple of these posts, hahaha.

Enjoy.

You're likely referring to me because I called Drouin heartless on the main boards today, right? What's the issue with some of you guys not being straightforward? Very strange.

Drouin had a million chances to sort out his issues. Was given tons of support by the team AND the fans. So he goes to Colorado and suddenly, by magic, his mental health is fine? Well maybe if the issues were real, and that's a legit if. Then he should've done the honorable thing and stepped away from the game to work on himself. Instead he had no problem collecting his paycheck to sit, or when playing, play like crap and dish out more turnovers than a bakery. But why post about Drouin to throw a dig at posters in the Slaf thread?

You’re suffering from a pretty serious case of main character syndrome. I used one quote of yours as an example of a poster dishing out crow soup for a player that has 26 points in 82 NHL games. You’re way ahead of yourself. When you start attacking posters who have tried to give honest opinions on what they’ve been watching the past 1-2 years, you’re just as or more toxic then the people you’re trying to call out. It’s hard to have a good debate or honest discussion when people like you are sitting around waiting to label you as a hater whenever you say something that may go against what you think. Just because people weren’t impressed with Slafkovsky before the past few months doesn’t mean that their minds were made up. And the overall tone in these threads lately have been extremely positive because he has showed growth and is starting to show the potential that made him the top pick in his draft. He did not look good last year or the beginning of this season and the concern was warranted regardless of how old he is. A lot of the people that were “hating” were mostly slamming the development route because it makes no sense to keep a player in the NHL if he doesn’t look ready. He’s turned it around really nicely but that doesn’t mean the people who didn’t have the benefit of hindsight were wrong either.

 

[salwan]

Slaf has officially played 82 games.

I believe I originally had said I’d be pretty happy if he got 30 points in his first season. He winds up with 9 goals and 26 points.

No bad at all.

Incidentally he has 4 goals and 14 points in his last 28 games so - unsurprisingly- he’s trending upwards.

so, what are our expectations for the next 82 games?
40++ points? along with all the good stuff he brings to the plate off the puck.

 

[LesCanadiens]

You’re suffering from a pretty serious case of main character syndrome. I used one quote of yours as an example of a poster dishing out crow soup for a player that has 26 points in 82 NHL games. You’re way ahead of yourself. When you start attacking posters who have tried to give honest opinions on what they’ve been watching the past 1-2 years, you’re just as or more toxic then the people you’re trying to call out. It’s hard to have a good debate or honest discussion when people like you are sitting around waiting to label you as a hater whenever you say something that may go against what you think. Just because people weren’t impressed with Slafkovsky before the past few months doesn’t mean that their minds were made up. And the overall tone in these threads lately have been extremely positive because he has showed growth and is starting to show the potential that made him the top pick in his draft. He did not look good last year or the beginning of this season and the concern was warranted regardless of how old he is. A lot of the people that were “hating” were mostly slamming the development route because it makes no sense to keep a player in the NHL if he doesn’t look ready. He’s turned it around really nicely but that doesn’t mean the people who didn’t have the benefit of hindsight were wrong either.

That's a pretty healthy amount of cognitive dissidence, there, lol. You are the one who called me out personally, basically calling me a liar and that I was "rewriting history" and other drivel. So, I called you on it, didn't I? That's what I took issue with. Not your now well disproven opinion that Slafkovsky sucks. You're entitled to it all you want. If you read my old posts, you'll see that I never slammed anyone personally. I debated the points. Actually you were the one hurling personal insults. But hey, whatever floats your boat.

Now as I promised, I'm done with you. You and BehindTheTimes will hit my ignore list. And the quality of the conversation here will be improve by a LOT for me.

And from here on out, I'll focus on enjoying healthy conversation and let Slaf do the rest for me with his awesome play.

 

[nhlfan9191]

That's a pretty healthy amount of cognitive dissidence, there, lol. You are the one who called me out personally, basically calling me a liar and that I was "rewriting history" and other drivel. So, I called you on it, didn't I? That's what I took issue with. Not your now well disproven opinion that Slafkovsky sucks. You're entitled to it all you want. If you read my old posts, you'll see that I never slammed anyone personally. I debated the points. Actually you were the one hurling personal insults. But hey, whatever floats your boat.

Now as I promised, I'm done with you. You and BehindTheTimes will hit my ignore list. And the quality of the conversation here will be improve by a LOT for me.

And from here on out, I'll focus on enjoying healthy conversation and let Slaf do the rest for me with his awesome play.

You’re doing it again in the bolded. I never once said that Slafkovsky sucks. And that’s the main character syndrome coming out again with the ignore list. I can assure you nobody cares if you’re ignoring their posts. If you’re looking for someone to blindly wave Pom Pom’s at everything with our team, it’s best you do put me on ignore.

 

[Heffyhoof]

This board has attacked players with mental health issues. Some of them are same ones that attack posters for having a different opinion.

I’m not surprised by anything here.

I'm the one who started this, technically, but that was like 2 days ago and 4-5 pages and you're still crying and playing the victim? Get a grip.

 

[McGuires Corndog]

 

[Jaynki]

8 points in his last 12.

Another strong showing yesterday.

He is consistent and also consistently improving.

 

[vlady]

he now has 8 out of 9 goals against western conference teams. Habs need to relocate to the west